JUMPING enthusiasts already on the lookout for horses to follow next season should make a note of Wild West Wind, who signed off his hurdling career in winning style at Uttoxeter yesterday.

The well-backed 7 to 4 favourite, a faller at Kempton last time, made amends in the Worthington Draught Bitter Novices' Hurdle, winning by two and a half lengths from Cattly Hang under Jason Titley

"He's a horse with so much ability, but he takes too many liberties with hurdles and doesn't even notice them," explained winning trainer Henrietta Knight, who now plans to put the six-year-old away with a view to sending him over fences next season.

Wild West Wind, who provided owner Lord Vestey with a 55th birthday present, is held in high regard in the Wantage stable, not least by the trainer's husband, former champion jockey, Terry Biddlecombe.

"Terry thinks he's potentially the best horse we've got in the yard," said Knight. "But it'll be two years before we see the best of him."

Tim Forster and Andrew Thornton, on the mark at Cheltenham with Maamur, teamed-up successfully again with Rectory Garden in the Caffreys Irish Ale Handicap Chase.

Rectory Garden had finished second to his Festival-winning stablemate at Ludlow last month, and blundered so badly six fences from home that his jockey, Tony McCoy was only saved from disaster by Thornton (aboard Maamur) pushing him back into the saddle!

Thornton, riding his 31st winner in his best season had no such hairy moments on Rectory Garden this time and, in front seven fences from home, brought him home four lengths clear of Andros Prince.

Erzadjan, who had unseated his amateur rider when a 1-3 shot in a three-runner race at Ayr earlier this month, made amends in the Hooper's Hooch Handicap Hurdle. Although the six-year-old seemed to race in snatches, he came through strongly to lead at the penultimate flight and stormed clear to win by nine lengths from Karar.

"He can miss the odd hurdle, but the three miles suited him, said Don Carcary, representing winning trainer, Mary Reveley.

Erzadjan was competently handled by Gary Cahill, who rode a double at Newcastle the previous day and is now on the 14-winner mark for the season.

The Ron Hodges-trained Northern Singer hit a high note in the Draught Bass Conditional Jockeys Novices Handicap Hurdle and romped in seven lengths clear