HEAVY ground should not hinder Dispol Veleta (3.00), fancied to defy top-weight in the Saint Gobain Pipelines Fillies' Handicap at Newcastle.

Despite the shed loads of rain dumped on the Tyneside track over the past 72 hours racing goes ahead, which I reckon is good news for fans of Dispol Evita, who has shown a distinct liking for an easy surface in the past.

Even though David Barrron's three-year-old hasn't shown a great deal on her last couple of outings, consistency has never been her strong suit and she's perfectly capable of bouncing back to form now that conditions are very much tailor-made.

The closing Connor Sadler UTS Handicap could fall to the old man of the party, nine-year-old veteran, Friar Tuck (5.15).

Linda Perratt's sprinter travels down from the west coast of Scotland in order to participate in the six-furlong event, which is a relatively weak affair compared to the standard of race Friar Tuck has been contesting of late.

Although Sue Smith is far better known as a jumps' trainer, the Bingley-based handler has one or two dual purpose horses including Bushido (6.00), no forlorn hope in the opening mile-and-a-half Amateur Riders' Handicap at Catterick's evening meeting.

Bushido has won both of his last two hurdles' races, each time bounding away from the opposition with enviable zest. He also ran quite well on the flat at Haydock last month and with only a modest bunch to beat just gets the nod ahead of Bramantino.

Mark Johnston, responsible for yesterday's losing nap, Lucky Story, who went down by an agonising short-head at Salisbury, will have his fingers crossed for better luck with Secret Pact (7.00) in the R.M.C. Materials Handicap.

Secret Pact has been placed on all three outings to date, most recently when third in quite a hot maiden at Epsom. Seeing as the selection cost a cool 100,000 guineas, he needs to start getting his head in front where it counts and has been found the ideal opportunity in the seven-furlong Nursery.

Despite starting as a total rag at odds of 66-1, Linden's Lady showed she was no back number by finishing fifth over course and distance earlier on this month.

The John Weymes' trained filly has plummeted down the ratings after a series of poor performances, however it seems the disheartening trend is now at an end and, from her mid-division draw in stall 12, is definitely worth an each-way wager.

* Trainer John Balding is hoping Tom Tun can register his first win of the season in the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Stakes at Ripon tomorrow.

Although the meeting is subject to an inspection this morning, Balding feels the nine-year-old should hold a good chance if the six-furlong handicap gets the go-ahead.

Tom Tun is be suited by give underfoot having shown his best form on easy ground.

''He's fine, in good form and the ground has come for him,'' he said.

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