DAVID ALLAN'S red-hot streak seems all set to continue courtesy of Jeepstar (2.20) in the opener at Haydock.

Allan, who rides principally for Tim Easterby, is currently boasting a 20 per cent strike-rate, not bad for a jockey without even a modicum of additional support from any of the other top stables.

Unfortunately, Jeepstar hasn't matched David's feats so far this term, however he's been knocking on the door and at least has the right man up top over what is arguably his ideal distance of a mile-and-six-furlongs.

It's hard to understand why Tim has been running the five-year-old over a quarter of a mile less but Easterby knows the time of day and maybe his master-plan is about to come to fruition as Jeepstar now tackles this longer trip in the Faucets Handicap.

Trainer Alan Bailey will have taken tremendous heart from the fact that Queens Rhapsody (4.20) ran so well when fourth following a 27-week absence at Ayr 12 days ago.

He's a good sort on his day and will have come on a ton for that pipe-opener. Bailey also loves nothing more than to have a winner at one of his local tracks from which we can assume Queens Rhapsody is right on top of his game.

Yarmouth raider River Lena (2.30) has a lot to learn about racing judged by her slightly bizarre Thirsk debut.

Mark Johnston's filly ran as a green as grass on that occasion, finding herself well in arrears until the penny finally dropped when the race was all but over. To be fair, as soon as River Lena did get the hand of things she finished like a rocket, a factor well worth taking into account for her bid to take the EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

Mention must also be made of River Lena's fellow Middleham traveller to the meeting, Platinum Charmer (5.00), who is going for a remarkable five-timer in the HKB Services Handicap.

Karl Burke has placed his horse to perfection during the past fortnight by keeping Platinum Charmer neatly one step ahead of the handicapper. He's up an further 5lbs as a result of his Musselburgh triumph on Monday, although that doesn't look enough to stop him, especially as the excellent apprentice Andrew Elliott gets the leg-up on the selection.

There was something almost surreal about the manner of Misty Dancer's (6.25) victory at Epsom last week.

The six-year-old gelding hadn't won for a couple of years, so quite how he was able to beat his rivals without even coming out of a canter had most of the crowd and betting public totally flabbergasted.

Not surprisingly, Venetia Williams has turned out the grey again in double-quick fashion, his intended target being this evening's betfredpoker.com back at the south London venue.

Newbury's £23,500 listed Rose Bowl Stakes has attracted a field of decent two-years-old fillies commensurate with both the value and status of the contest.

The least exposed of the runners is Saville Road, a 78,000 guineas daughter of Mozart, who landed a very nice touch when backed from 20s to 12-1 on her winning bow at Doncaster. She has lots of scope for improvement and could yet upset some far more fancied opponents in the six-furlong dash for the cash.

* Michael Bell has warned that Saturday's Coral-Eclipse Stakes is no two-horse race despite its billing as a match between Motivator and Shamardal.

Bell is happy that seasoned Group One campaigners like Starcraft and Altieri are taking on his superstar at Sandown and said: ''There are some very good horses in there."

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