REDCAR raider Brace Of Doves (3.20) looks like a three-year-old to follow after a battling victory at Thirsk 13 days ago.

David Barron's gelding landed quite a nice little touch that day, winning despite the massive disadvantage of being drawn out in the cheap seats from stall 15.

There'll be no such problems as the field have no bends to negotiate today, potentially paving the way for a second successive win for Brace Of Doves in the Carlsberg Straight Mile Handicap.

Talented Noel Wilson could be a trainer destined for better things over the coming few years but meanwhile he has to make do with some lesser lights, such as Aragon's Boy (3.50) in the seven-furlong Selling Stakes.

Both the trip and easy underfoot conditions should be in the five-year-old's favour, plus he'll strip a far fitter individual for a good old-fashioned blow-out, having led the opposition a merry dance for three-quarters of a mile on his recent return at Beverley.

I reckon Scorton-based David Barker has a speedy sort on his hands with Mecca's Mate (4.20), a very strong fancy to get one over the local bookies in the £10,000 Spring Fillies' Handicap.

Mecca's Mate won with a tidy bit still up her sleeve at Musselburgh, even though the ground might have a been on the quick side. Last season's form strongly indicates she might be significantly better on a really testing surface, and with plenty of question marks hanging over the majority of her main market rivals, Barker's sprinter is well worth a small investment.

Another member of the fair sex beginning to find her feet is Southwell-bound Baileys Applause (3.30). Newmarket jockey-turned-trainer, Chris Dwyer, has been persevering with Baileys Applause over winter and his patience paid off when she absolutely bolted up at the all-weather track in late March.

Dwyer's three-year-old will most probably have picked up a good deal of confidence from getting her head in front, a factor which is high on the list of most horses at the undeniably modest level of this afternoon's all-weather venue.

It's a rare occurrence to see Frankie Dettori travelling to the course, so the hint mustn't be missed when the reigning champion gets the leg up aboard Dan's Heir (5.00) in the closing Moorcroft Welfare Centre Handicap. Dan's Heir stepped up significantly on all previous efforts when fourth behind three quite decent animals at Catterick last time out.

He now faces a far less stiff task, so if he handles the man-made surface he could well provide Frankie with an armchair conveyance in the mile-and-four-furlong finale.

* Peter Chapple-Hyam yesterday indicated that Montgomery's Arch is a likely starter in Saturday's UltimatePoker.com 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Last week there was an element of doubt about the Arch colt's participation in the year's first domestic Classic after he was found to have mucus on his lungs in the wake of finishing seventh in the Craven Stakes a fortnight ago.

But Montgomery's Arch, a general 25-1 chance for the mile Group One, appears to have shrugged off that problem and today Chapple-Hyam is set to put the finishing touches to the horse's preparations.

The Newmarket-based trainer said: ''Montgomery's Arch had a little blow on Monday over seven furlongs. African Dream led him in his exercise and he went really well."

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