URBAN HYMN, who promises to be one of the leading lights of Malcolm Jefferson’s Norton yard this season, makes his eagerly awaited debut over fences at Carlisle this afternoon.

The six-year-old is an exciting talent. A point-to-point winner in his younger days, Urban Hymn won a bumper and two hurdle races last season after joining Jefferson, who placed him to land the Grade 2 River Don Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster in February.

Fences promise to eke out further improvement from Urban Hymn, who has the size and scope to make a big impression over the major obstacles.

Today’s Weddings Here At Carlisle Racecourse Beginners’ Chase is over the minimum two miles which may not be the ideal distance for Urban Hymn, but it is a good starting point, even if he faces a small handful of useful rivals, including Duke Of Navan from the local Nicky Richards’ stable.

It’s a big day for nap selection Urban Hymn. Brian Hughes has the task of guiding him around and, hopefully, bringing him home in front.

Jefferson and Hughes also have a good chance in the Watch Racing UK On Sky 432 Handicap Chase with The Magic Bishop - sure to have benefited from his latest comeback effort at Hexham after a summer break - but they may have to settle for a supporting role.

Preference is for Brother Scott, who was travelling like a winner when he blundered and unseated his rider at the penultimate fence at Hexham a couple of weeks ago. Sue Smith’s charge may be able to gain compensation if putting in a clear round this time.

Dianne Sayer, who trains at nearby Penrith, can be the toast of racegoers at her local track, courtesy of Langley House in the bookmakers.co.uk Handicap Hurdle.

The seven-year-old won by a wide margin at Sedgefield last time out and, although this promises to be tougher, a 7lb penalty may not be enough to anchor Langley House, who is a horse in form.

Back To Bracka (3.25), a beaten favourite on this course a fortnight ago on his first outing since winning at Sligo in May, when he was trained in Ireland, is expected to do better for Lucinda Russell this afternoon, while also worth noting is newcomer North Country Boy (5.30), trained by Peter Niven, who does well with bumper horses and who has booked Brian Hughes for this son of Revoque.

At Southwell, Dan Skelton can carry on his winning run with What A Good Night in the 32RedPoker.com Handicap Chase.

Skelton, who spent nine years as assistant to Paul Nicholls before striking out on his own last season, has made a big impact already and has increased the size of his string to 70 horses after starting off with a dozen.

What A Good Night got home by a length at Uttoxeter last time, but that winning margin does him no justice as he was heavily eased when clear after the final fence. A 7lb penalty is unlikely to be enough to prevent him from completing a double.

Amateur rider Harriet Bethell, who recently took out a permit to train near Beverley, can notch her first winner with Tri Nations in the Bramley Apple Handicap Chase.

Selections

Carlisle today
2.20 Master Dee, 2.50 Brother Scott, 3.25 Back To Bracka, 4.00 Incentivise, 4.30 Langley House, 5.00 Urban Hymn (NAP), 5.30 North Country Boy.

Southwell today
1.30 Vujiyama, 2.00 What A Good Night, 2.30 Tri Nations, 3.00 A Good Skin, 3.35 Jaja de Jau, 4.10 Blake Dean, 4.40 Magna Cartor, 5.10 Pied Du Roi.

Today’s other meetings Ludlow and Kempton.

Tomorrow’s meetings Doncaster, Fakenham, Newbury and Wolverhampton.