I SPOKE to Tim Easterby at Carlisle last week. Tim took over the reigns from his father Peter Easterby at Habton Grange stable, Great Habton, Malton in February 1996.

He has had 30 winners during the National Hunt season, although his stable badly affected by a virus.

Tim says he feels this is going to be his year and is looking forward to his most successful season on the flat.

BOLLIN JOANNE a five-year-old bay mare is his class horse in the stable, but two-year-olds PIPALONG, SPRING NOBELQUEST, FORGIVEN and BOLLIN ROLAND will be worth following.

When the ground gets faster he will run HIGH SPIRITS who will win races.

The stable National Hunt star is SIMPLY DASHING who will aim for the Gold Cup again next year - the horse has suffered from the virus this year, but will be a different horse next year.

Ace apprentice Robert Winston has a great future ahead of him as long as he keeps working hard at it and Tim uses Robert a lot to ride for him, as he is apprentice to his brother-in-law Richard Fahey.

One for the notebook is SKYERS FLYER the next time it runs.

A few two-year-olds to follow are ACE OF PARKS, ANGIE BABY, HABIBI and ROSSELLI.

My tips for this week are:

Thursday: Angie Baby (Nap) Redcar

Friday: Pandjojoe (each way) Musselburgh

Saturday: High Premium (EW) Thirsk

Bank Holiday Monday: Captain Harry (Nap) Newcastle

And remember, the wet weather is very frustrating when you have horses fit and ready to run, but need good or faster ground. So when the ground conditions change, my tip is to beware of following the form horses who have been running well on the soft and heavy ground.

Next week I will bring you a horse racing exclusive concerning a Yorkshire training centre which is steeped in history and where the famous Noel Murless once trained.

I am involved in negotiations at the moment and will reveal all next week.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.