PEAK fitness will count for plenty at Pontefract where The Bonus King (3.20) should have the beating of his rivals.

A couple of promising spins on the all-weather circuits at Wolverhampton and Lingfield might just be enough to give Mark Johnston's four-year-old the edge when the early exertions take their toll as the 12 runners enter the final furlong of the £15,000 contest.

The Bonus King, who won the listed Woodcote Stakes at Epsom as a juvenile in 2002, totally lost his way last season and as a consequence has tumbled down over 20lb in the official ratings.

Although it's still unclear as to whether The Bonus King has the requisite stamina to win over a mile, he shapes as if the move up from sprint distances will suit, which is no great surprise as it's very much in line with Johnston's well-honed training methods.

In the opening mile-and-a-half Apprentices' Handicap, Archie Babe makes a swift reappearance, having hacked up at Newcastle on Saturday.

But with the ground not being quite so soft, plus a 6lb penalty to shoulder, he could now be vulnerable to the likes of Benbyas (2.20). The selection, a leading handicap hurdler, didn't perform as well as expected when only sixth on his Flat comeback on the first day of the turf season at Doncaster.

There was a major morning gamble on Benbyas that day, but the Declan Carroll-trained seven-year-old used far too much petrol in the opening stages of the race and didn't have anything left in reserve when push came to shove close home.

Having won at Pontefract under the watchful eye of his previous trainer, Les Eyre, I believe the track suits him far better than Doncaster, and a far more positive showing is anticipated at a potentially money-spinning starting price.

Frankie Dettori's presence is always welcome and he has several decent rides, including Love You Always (4.20) in the High-Rise Classified Stakes.

Injury has prevented Love You Always from seeing a racecourse for 555 days, but he appeared to be a very smart juvenile and if David Loder has managed to get sufficient graft into his charge the sky is the limit.

Vicars Destiny would be a most appropriate winner of the longest event on the card, the two-mile-and-one-furlong Jamaican Flight Handicap.

Sue Lamyman's mare is a stable-mate of Jamaican Flight, successful four times at the course during the past five years.

Sue has kindly donated a trophy and she's clearly going all out to make sure the owner of Vicars Destiny, Terence Deal, goes back with the silverware.

The race run at Exeter in memory of the much-respected commentator, Raleigh Gilbert, could easily fall to Harry's Dream (3.40).

The near three-mile Handicap Chase looks tailor-made for Richard Johnson's improving young mount, an impressive six-length scorer at Newbury in March.

Harry's Dream has been the model of consistency all season, which along with a sound jumping technique, is sure to hold him in good stead for the £10,000 affair.

* Redcar's Two-Year-Old Trophy, which will be run for the first time this year as a Listed race, has acquired a new sponsor in the form of exchange firm Betfair, writes TATTENHAM.

With guaranteed prize money of £150,000, the six-furlong contest is one of the richest races in Europe for juveniles and heads a quality seven-race programme on Saturday, October 2.

The afternoon's racing will also feature an existing Listed race, the Guisborough Stakes, which also benefits from the first-time support of Betfair.