BRAHMINY KITE (2.30) has the potential to build on his promising debut by winning the Combi UK Conditions Stakes at Sandown.

Mark Johnston's colt appeared all at sea on first visit to a racecourse at Beverley earlier this month as he toiled in rear for much of the race.

But rather than dubbed useless, it turned out to be more a case of being a bit green behind the ears because come final furlong, once the penny had dropped, Brahminy Kite took off big-style to snatch the second place money.

Just like a child on his first day at school, the inexperienced two-year-old will have learnt a valuable lesson from the outing and it is unlikely that Johnston's young horse will make the same mistake twice by getting himself outpaced early doors.

There is one other compelling reason to back Brahminy Kite, namely that he will relish the test of stamina presented by the Esher venue, which is sure to suit his long raking stride, an invaluable asset when maximum thrust is required.

Another northern raider with a leading chance of returning up the motorway with the cash is White Ledger (4.45) in the concluding five-furlong Betfred Handicap.

Richard Fahey's Malton-based raider hit form with a vengeance when giving his rivals short shrift in a warmish claimer at Catterick last week. Fahey has opted to strike while the iron is hot with White Ledger, a good old-fashioned mudlark who will not mind the predicted soft surface on the sprint track.

Richard also has terrific prospects of an across-the-card double via Boppys Princess (3.25) at Ayr. The fast-improving filly won with a ton in hand at Haydock last week, and if she reproduces that level of ability the result of the Parks Renault Handicap could be a foregone conclusion.

Linda Perratt normally does pretty well at this time of year and there is bound to be bags of support for her useful speed merchant, Strawberry Patch (4.35).

Although Strawberry Patch must shoulder a 6lb penalty for his weekend success at Newbury, he beat off an immensely strong field on that occasion and, in the face of lesser opposition, this afternoon holds serious claims for the Ladies Day Handicap.

An inside draw is always a massive bonus at Chester, so the fact Boston Lodge (3.15) will be emerging from the No 2 stall can only be regarded as a huge plus point.

Top-weight should not deter prospective punters from investing in Boston Lodge, a smart performer with a golden opportunity of getting off the mark for the season in the feature event on the card, the £20,000 Chester Chronicle Rated Stakes.

Leave the Bollinger Champagne Handicap to Lennel (5.00), who has the services of Simon Walker, arguably the best amateur rider in a race where jockeyship is of paramount importance.

* Toby Balding is to appeal against the decision of the York stewards to let Mephisto keep the totesport Ebor on Wednesday. The Luca Cumani-trained Mephisto veered left towards Balding's Gold Ring in the final furlong of the £200,000 handicap and delivered a slight bump before landing the race by a short head. A lengthy stewards' inquiry followed but Mephisto was eventually confirmed the winner, with his rider Darryll Holland suspended for one day for careless riding.

Balding has made his decision after studying a tape of the race.

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