THE Durham National, which forms the feature at Sedgefield this afternoon, holds no fears for Dr Richard Newland. He’s the trainer who sent out Pineau Du Rea to gain a 25-1 success in the ‘real thing’ - the Grand National at Aintree in April.

Worcestershire-based Newland, who does incredibly well with his small string, saddles Royale Knight in today’s £20,000 contest, which is run over a gruelling three and three-quarter miles.

A Kelso winner last December, the eight-year-old has run some good races since in defeat. A thorough stayer, he had the benefit of a recent preparatory outing over hurdles at Chepstow, where he shaped well to finish fourth.

That outing, his first since April, should have brought Royale Knight to concert pitch for this race, which has been his target for some time, according to Newland, who has booked Daryl Jacob to take the mount.

It is a fitting combination as they bid for National glory. Jacob won the 2012 Grand National on Neptune Collonges.

Brian Hughes, who will be aboard Malcolm Jefferson’s Sun Cloud in the main race, is fancied to win the Santander Handicap Hurdle on Sendiym.

Trained by Dianne Sayer, whose horses are in great form, Sendiym was a twice a winner on this course in September and was only denied by a neck in his hat-trick bid at Kelso earlier this month. There may be more to come from him, especially back at his favourite track where he’s a four-time winner.

Irish raider High Talk may be able to put his proven fitness to good use in the C & A Pumps Handicap Hurdle.

Mark McNiff’s gelding ran out a clear-cut winner on this course earlier in the month. He wore blinkers for the first time on that occasion and it’s to be hoped they have the same effect today when High Talk bids to shrug off a 15lb weight rise. Derek Fox, an accomplished 3lb claimer, again has the mount.

Oorayvic gets the vote in the Cummins Diesel Dash Novices’ Handicap Chase.

The seven-year-old, trained at Bingley by Sue Smith, was beaten less than two lengths into third by Some Lad at Kelso a couple of weeks ago on his seasonal debut. He can step up to the number one slot today.

At Lingfield, Sharqeyih promises to be hard to beat in the 32Red Casino/British Stallion Studs Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

The mount of Paul Hanagan, the juvenile trained by William Haggas was beaten only a neck into second at Newmarket on her debut a couple of weeks ago. She looks a potentially useful performer and is awarded the nap vote.

Hanagan looks a significant booking for Starfield in the Coral App Download From The App Store Handicap.

Trainer Mick Appleby, currently without the services of his stable jockey Andrew Mullen, who has recently undergone hip surgery, rarely books Hanagan so it is interesting he has secured him for Starfield, who has shown reasonable ability.

The Listed 32Red/EBFstallions.com Fleur De Lys Fillies’ Stakes takes joint pride of place on the Lingfield card and York-based Robert Winston may enjoy a profitable journey south by landing this useful event on Meeting Waters.

A Musselburgh winner last month, Meeting Waters stepped up on that performance when finishing a good second in Listed company at Ascot.


Selections

Sedgefield today
1.00 Golden Jubilee, 1.30 Silver Gent, 2.00 Sendiym, 2.30 High Talk, 3.00 Royale Knight, 3.30 Oorayvic, 4.00 Laika.

Lingfield today
12.50 Crystal Zvezda, 1.20 Sharqeyih (NAP), 1.50 Hills And Dales, 2.20 Starfield, 2.50 Meeting Waters, 3.20 Hidden Gold, 3.50 Athletic.

Today’s other meetings
Kempton and Stratford.

Tomorrow’s meetings
Newmarket, Uttoxeter, Wetherby and Wolverhampton.