KEEP Continent (3.15) in mind for this afternoon's big race at Nottingham, the £14,000 Weatherbys Bank Conditions Stakes.

The sprinting world seemed to be at Continent's feet after his breath-taking Group 1 double in the July Cup and Prix L'Abbaye a couple of years ago, but since then things haven't really worked out for the David Nicholls-trained speedster.

He's clearly had his problems so far this season being restricted to just two outings, which have yielded one paltry third-placing - a very poor return by his own high standards.

Time waits for no man - or horse for that matter, and at seven-years of age Continent is not getting any younger, none the less he's been found a less than onerous task at the Midlands track and should by rights make his presence felt in the five-furlong contest.

Ben Swarbrick's career in the saddle is progressing nicely, aided and abetted by his boss Mark Brisbourne, a shrewd trainer with plenty of ammunition to help his apprentice jockey graduate to the senior riding ranks.

In search of further success, the pair head for Brighton with their long-standing stable servant, Adobe (5.00), who looks fully capable of winning the closing English Wine Handicap over one-mile.

Adobe was entitled to run poorly when only eighth in a better class event at Leicester last time out, and there's little doubt to my way of thinking that he'll be far happier back in this relatively weak Class F grade.

Fast ground is also essential for the son Green Desert, which combined with his liking for left-handed downhill tracks makes a convincing case for backing the consistent gelding.

Seb Sanders is picking up some good outside rides as he continues to trade blows with Frankie Dettori and Kieren Fallon at the head of the flat jockey's championship.

One such example is cross-country raider, Band (6.55), making the trip from his base at Tamworth, just south of Birmingham, to the seaside resort of Great Yarmouth on the East Anglian coast.

Band, who in the past has run off a mark of 79, is taking a significant drop in class to participate in the Early Prices Handicap. Having slipped around 20lb down the ratings over recent months, Band really needs to up his game post haste if he is to salvage some crumbs of comfort from a thus far bitterly disappointing 2003 campaign.

Patience will be required for the best bet of the card at Windsor because Dickie Deadeye (8.10) doesn't turn out until the finale, the mile-and-a-quarter Sandra Coltman Classified Stakes.

Toby Balding is enjoying something of a renaissance on the flat this year and Dickie Deadeye has much to do with the revival having won two of his last three races.

* Racing North ten-to-follow pick, Jeepstar, landed a bookie-bashing 10-1 winning nap for Janus (Colin Woods) at Pontefract yesterday.

* Attraction flopped on soft ground yesterday when trailing home last of the ten runners in the Prix Fresnay-le-Buffard-Jacques Le Marois at Deauville.

Mark Johnston's dual Guineas winner was under pressure just over halfway in the mile contest, leaving Whipper (13-2) to come home clear of the 13-8 favourite Six Perfections with My Risk (8-1) in third.

Mick Channon's Majestic Desert fared best of the British runners and, after taking up the running in the final two furlongs, finished fourth.

Kevin Darley had Attraction smartly away from the stalls and she was soon bowling along at the head of affairs in company with Fomalhaut.

However, the eight-times winner started to send out distress signals when push came to shove and was eventually eased down by her jockey once her chance had gone.

Six Perfections came out of the pack to chase the victorious Whipper, who just lost out to Somnus in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last weekend.

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