GO TECH (4.00) gets the vote in the most valuable race of the day, the £20,000 ten-furlong Dalby Screw-Driver Handicap at Pontefract.

Despite the fact that Tim Easterby's four-year-old has yet to strike so far this term, he went pretty close when finishing a half-length runner-up on his most recent outing at Sandown.

There does seem to be have been an element of confusion about precisely which trip and what ground is ideal for Go Tech, however it now appears quite conclusively that a mile-and-a-quarter on a good or faster surface represents his optimum conditions.

Seeing as both of those criteria have been satisfied, plus the fact he only has seven rivals to beat, Graham Gibbons' mount has his best chance for some time of ending a money-draining losing streak which stretches back a couple of years.

The 18-runner S B Honda Handicap is a bit of a needle-in-a-haystack job as far as finding the winner goes, although perhaps an each-way wager on Chico Guapo (3.30) might help pay the afternoon's expenses.

This is the time of year when there are plenty of long-priced winners around, so don't be put off by the queue of duck-eggs against the selection's name. Jeremy Glover's sprinter is no slouch and with the stable beginning to hit top gear, combined with the strong-arm tactics of Roberts Winston, a welcome return to the winners' enclosure for Chico Guapo is not inconceivable

It's a heck of a long way from David Nicholls' yard in North Yorkshire to Brighton, therefore we can safely assume Dandy believes Islands Farewell (5.10) has a pretty solid chance in the closing event at the Sussex coastal course.

Islands Farewell is in good order, having made the frame on each of his last two starts. Add this to the assistance he will get from the saddle, courtesy of the truly excellent champion elect lady amateur rider Kelly Harrison, and victory is well within his reach.

Nigel Twiston-Davies has a good record with his long-distance jumps raiders at Perth, prompting the possibility of a double with Ardashir (2.20) and Bobby Dazzler (2.50) at the Scottish track.

Neither have been seen out for 141 days but the Gloucestershire-based handler has a particular penchant for getting his horses as fit as butchers' dogs on the home gallops, subsequently there won't be any worries for backers on that score.

The other compelling reason to support the Twiston-Davies duo stems largely from their joint form profiles, which demonstrates very clearly that both of the five-year-olds possess bags if scope for further improvement.

* Keith Dalgleish is considering a return to the saddle as a jump jockey, having spent some time riding out for Dumfriesshire trainer Len Lungo.

The 21-year-old gave up a successful riding career on the Flat in July, citing weight problems, and has taken time out to consider his future.

''I was only up there for a week,'' said Dalgleish.

''I was basically in that area seeing friends. I am thinking about a move to jump racing, but I don't know 100 per cent yet. I expect to make a decision in the next week or two.''

To get a licence as a jumps rider, Dalgleish would have to prove to the Jockey Club that he has experience over hurdles and fences.

* Frankie Dettori increased his lead to three, 159-156, over arch rival Kieren Fallon yesterday in the race for the jockeys' championship.

The Italian, seeking his third title and his first since 1995, landed a 11-1 double on favourites Belle Rouge (2-1) and Nordwind (3-1), while Fallon's sole success came on 16-1 shot Wingman.