CAITHNESS CLOUD can up stage some better-known names in the Helmsley Novices' Handicap Chase at Wetherby today.

Chief betting interest is likely to surround top-weights Cumbrian Challenge - warming up for the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham and Lord Dorcet - winner of a valuable televised event at Ascot last time.

But each looks to have been set a stiff task by the handicapper judged on their form to date over fences. Caithness Cloud is a good value bet to beat them both.

The fair hurdler is certainly well treated at the weights with just 10st to carry. And he looked to have taken well to fences on his chasing debut at Ayr last month, when would have gone close to troubling the very experienced Just Frankie but for his sole mistake at the third-last fence. Caithness Cloud was not at all knocked about once his winning chance had gone that day and he can repay such consideration today.

Lightly-raced Heart Of Spain has been given every chance of success in the closing Blackdown Hills Handicap Hurdle at Taunton with just 10st 5lb to carry - particularly with capable amateur Robert Thornton claiming a further 7lb.

The handicapper has taken the gelding's two unplaced efforts to date this term as evidence that he has deteriorated since he showed fair form to finish second on both his starts last term.

But the six-year-old was in need of the race on his reappearance and ran well until his stamina gave out, in very testing conditions at Leicester last time. Heart of Spain will be much better suited by today's sharp track and is well worth persevering with.

Top Newmarket trainer David Loder has snapped up apprentice Patrick McCabe to join his high power jockey team. Loder has already had Patrick's older brother, David, on his books. The 23-year-old is being groomed for the apprentice title, while reigning champion jockey Frankie Dettori is the yard's number one with Richard Hughes acting as back up for the 100 plus Loder horses split between three yards.

Patrick McCabe is rated as good as his brother by many experts and has ridden 63 winners, including Portland Handicap victories on Hello Mister in 1994 and 1995.