Corporation Pop can give Malton trainer Malcolm Jefferson something to smile about in the Ampleforth National Hunt Novices' Hurdle at Catterick tomorrow.

The stoutly-bred son of King's Ride improved throughout last season andcarried on the good work after a summer's rest when staying on too strongly for useful sort Soeur de Sentier at Haydock last month.

Jefferson's string are not in the best of form but this one certainly looked to be in good nick and can defy a 7lb penalty.

Master Of Illusion looked a blatant non-stayer when fading out of contention in the final stages of his last race over almost four miles at Huntingdon.

He had been travelling strongly until the second-last fence and can return to form back at the three miles, one and a half furlongs of the Charles Vickery Memorial Cup.

The seven-year-old had attracted market support before his seasonal bow at Stratford in October when he was put in his place by progressive multiple winner Nordic Prince but still ran a sound race to finish a clear second.

That form could be good enough here.

Royal Expression looks the one to be on in the Christmas Time Handicap Hurdle.

George Moore's gelding missed all of last season but ran creditably on his return over two and a half miles at Newcastle last month, helping force the pace before finishing a three-length second to Ledgendry Line, keeping on well on the run-in.

Royal Expression steps up to an extended three miles and one furlong tomorrow which will be well within his compass and he can record his first success over hurdles for three years.

Betting in bumpers can be a precarious business but Elfie's Last can be given a squeak in the closing Garrison Intermediate National Hunt Flat Race.

He finished seventh last time out Hereford but may have needed that race, which was a hot little contest by early-season standards.

This looks a shade easier and he could be a decent price.

n Lord Oaksey is to become an honorary member of the Jockey Club.

A regular face on Channel 4 Racing, he is best known to many for his work for the Injured Jockeys' Fund, of which he has been chairman since 1982.

'The Noble Lord' (as he is popularly referred to by small-screen colleague John McCririck) is one of three new honorary members, alongside David Hillyard, the recently-retired managing director of the Racecourse Holdings Trust, and the chairman of the Australian Racing Board, currently Bob Charley.