MR BOUNTIFUL must go very close provided the gaps come at the right time in division two of Lingfield's seven-furlong betdirect.co.uk Handicap.

With 16 runners going helter-skelter around the track's sharp left-hand bend the resultant scrimmaging often leads to a rough race, but at least the man in the hot seat, ice-cool pilot Shane Kelly, is not the sort to panic under pressure.

Trainer Michael Dods knows that Mr Bountiful (1.50), a previous track-and-trip scorer, acts well at the course, hence the decision to embark on the 300-mile trip south from his base at Denton, near Darlington.

Dods is also aware that his horse is overdue a bit of good fortune, having been desperately unlucky not to obtain a clear run on more than one occasion during a largely frustrating 2003 turf campaign.

In the earlier division one of the contest, Its Ecco Boy (12.50) is fancied to take advantage of his lenient handicap mark on the polytrack.

Like Mr Bountiful, Its Ecco Boy has been busy on the grass, raking in plenty of place money plus a brace of well-deserved successes at Nottingham. He's currently rated 66 on turf compared with only 55 on the all-weather, a massive discrepancy that is definitely worth taking into account.

The formula certainly worked the oracle for yesterday's successful 100-30 nap selection Labrett, who was 10lb better in on the sand as against his turf mark, and if anything I believe Its Ecco Boy has even better prospects at potentially a far more generous starting price.

Two leading jump trainers from our region, Ferdy Murphy and Richard Guest, find themselves in opposition at Fakenham, where the finish of the Norfolk Radio Novices' Chase may well be fought out between their respective representatives, Family Venture and Passing Wind (1.40).

Doubtless the latter, an irreverently named import from New Zealand, will attract a few guffaws from the spectators, but that should not deter backers from having a shilling or two on the gelding.

Henry Daly has made his name producing high-class chasers so what exactly is going on at Ludlow, where he runs Saafend Rocket in the opening selling hurdle, heaven only knows.

Whatever his reasons for hanging on to such lowly stock, no-one can argue with his excellent strike-rate at present and despite not having been out for 171 days, Saafend Rocket (1.00) has been found a great opportunity to open his account over the sticks.

* Labrett and Beat The Heat, both returned at 100-30, landed a cracking 13-1 across-the-card Lingfield and Kelso nap and next best double for Janus (Colin Woods) yesterday.

* Frankie Dettori has five chances of getting the one winner he needs for a century at Lingfield Park today.

He moved on to the 99-mark for the year thanks to a near 6-1 double on Darting and Sentry. But he had to work hard for both successes. Darting (13-8) scraped home by a short head and Sentry (13-8) was a head winner of the Littlewoods Bet Direct AW Trainers Championship Maiden Stakes.

Get more on racing at our Racing North site.