MINSTER GLORY (2.45) is at his best when forcing the pace so there won't be any hanging around in Wetherby's two-mile White Rose Handicap Chase today.

Mick Easterby's massive gelding stormed back to form with a virtual all-the-way win at Bangor three weeks ago under a typically aggressive ride from reigning champion Jockey, Tony McCoy.

Lambourn-based McCoy will have needed no second invitation to travel north again to partner Minster Glory, who despite going up 5lb to 110 in the ratings, remains a supremely well handicapped horse considering he started last season on a mark of 130. McCoy can also expect a smooth ride aboard You're Special (1.35) in the earlier Halloween Novices' Chase.

Patrick Haslam's gelding won three similar races during May and June, victories which mean he has to shoulder a triple penalty in the three-mile-one-furlong event. Fortunately for connections the opposition doesn't amount to a great deal and You're Special appears a have a pretty straightforward task.

Backing potentially ring-rusty horses after a 125-day absence can be a risky, however in the case of Newmarket-bound Persian Lass (2.30) this might not be so.

The Peter Harris-trained filly ran her best race this year first time up at Epsom in May, suggesting she's at the peak of her powers when fresh. Another plus point to note is the decent strike-rate of the Harris stable over recent weeks, giving every indication that Persian Lass is capable of putting up a bold show at a big price.

Staying is the name of the game for Condoleezza (3.40), who simply would not be denied in a dour three-way slugging match at Goodwood last time out. Condoleezza has now been stepped up in trip another couple of furlongs, a move likely to bring about the significant improvement required to take the ultra-competitive two-mile Lanson Champagne Showcase Handicap.

For the nap selection Mr Velocity (4.15) is fancied to live up to his name by taking the finale, the Avenue Apprentice Handicap.

Still relatively unexposed, the lightly-raced and ultra-consistent Mr Velocity has plenty going for him in a race that won't take much winning.

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