JOHN DUNLOP can maintain his good record in the Nell Gwyn Stakes by taking the Group 3 event with Snow Goose (2.55) at Newmarket this afternoon.

Dunlop, successful 12 months ago in the £50,000 contest with Khulood, follows the same route with Snow Goose, beaten just once in five starts during 2003.

From the relatively humble beginnings of a narrow victory in a mid-summer Leicester maiden, she quickly developed into a smart customer by completing a magnificent four-timer in a valuable course and distance nursery last October.

Pat Eddery was aboard that day, however the former 11-times champion jockey has now retired leaving the job of steering Snow Goose to the dependable Richard Quinn, who recently opted to relinquish his position as Henry Cecil's stable jockey in favour of freelance status.

One of Mark Johnston's three English 2,000 Guineas entries, Russian Valour (1.45), lines up in the earlier European Free Handicap. All three of his wins last term were over five furlongs, including a blistering triumph at Royal Ascot in the Group 3 Norfolk Stakes. Due to injury, Russian Valour didn't run afterwards and has had surgery to remove chipped bones from his knees.

Until tried at full pelt it's impossible to tell if the operation has worked, nor for that matter is the colt certain to stay today's longer distance, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating and the only way to find out is to have a go.

Beverley's Flying Five Classified Stakes has attracted a bevy of useful sprinters including Alan Berry's Simianna (3.20).

Simianna is pretty fleet of foot on her day, and seeing as Berry's horses have come out all guns blazing there's every chance she'll continue in the sort of vein which enabled her to bag over £27,000 in prize money last season.

Latching on to improving three-year-olds at this time of year is an important part of any prospective punters' armoury, therefore the fact that Riley Boys (3.55) has already notched one win on the all-weather track at Wolverhampton should not be ignored.

The James Given-trained gelding demonstrated just how well he has progressed over the winter months by edging out Bundaberg in what was a thrilling head-to-head tussle up the home straight at the Midlands venue.

Full marks to Cheltenham for staging an absolutely outstanding National Hunt card even though the crme of jumping stock are now enjoying a well-earned rest.

Ferdy Murphy's fortunes took a significant turn for the better on Monday when he plundered the Irish Grand National with Granit d'Estruval, boding well for the chances of Dominikus (2.00) in the Stanleybet Handicap Chase.

Dominikus ran a fine race to grab fourth place at last month's Festival in the Kim Muir Chase over an extended three miles. He now has an extra two furlongs to travel, which should be ideal to help his assured stamina take maximum toll over his rivals.