PREDICTING the outcome of the Gosforth Park Cup is never easy, however at least in siding with Piccled (7.25), punters can expect a serious run for their money.

Conditions for the Northern Rock sponsored five-furlong dash at Newcastle this evening have changed dramatically during the past 48 hours with well over 30mm of rain falling on the Tyneside track.

The resultant testing surface will inconvenience many of the 20-runner line-up, but it won't worry Piccled, who despite scoring on fast ground at York last time out, loves to get his toe in the turf.

Trainer Eric Alston has already bagged one big prize courtesy of Goodbye Mr Bond in the Carlisle Bell on Wednesday and, with his yard in terrific fettle, another big-race win looks on the cards - this time with nap selection, Piccled.

Another mud-lover sure to relish the juice in the soil is Kingsdon (6.55), bidding to complete a four-timer in the opening ten-furlong Gentlemen Amateur Riders Handicap.

Despite needing the aid of both a visor and tongue strap, Tim Etherington's money-spinning seven-year-old appears to be getting better with age.

Kingsdon clocked a fast time when winning over a similar trip at Lingfield in May, and while in his current mood is fancied to bring home the booty in the hands of the best jockey in the race by far, Nicky Tinkler.

Milton Bradley's stable is absolutely flying at present so it would unwise to write off the prospects of his speedy duo, Juwwi and Beyond Calculation (8.55), in the Cantor Odds Claiming Stakes.

The veteran Juwwi, a loveable old rogue who tends to throw away his races by being caught napping in the stalls, is probably well past his sell-by date these days and therefore preference is Beyond Calculation.

The booking of Kevin Darley has got to be regarded as a major boost, along with the fact that Bradley's long-distance raider from Chepstow in south Wales, has prevailed at the course in days gone by.

Market Rasen stage a pretty good National Hunt card, which includes a decent field for the Humberside Chinese Association Novices' Chase.

Having tipped up on his fencing debut at Kelso, Full House was entitled to go for a safety first policy when tried again over the bigger obstacles at Stratford earlier this month.

Contrary to that theory things turned out very differently, because rider Tom Doyle simply kicked his mount into a clear lead as soon as the tapes went up, and the combination never saw another rival as they coasted to a cosy ten-length victory.

Provided Full House measure his fences with equal precision, a double appears eminently likely in the two-mile-and one-furlong affair.

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