BOND BROOKLYN bids to put his supporters back in clover at Redcar this afternoon following a slightly disappointing run at Southwell last time out.

The heavy hitters had their fingers burnt at the Midlands track when the selection failed to justify 11-8 favouritism, but the excellence of his previous second placing at Ayr suggests now is not the time to give up on Bryan Smart's two-year-old.

The only horse to get the better of Bond Brooklyn (4.05) at Ayr was Vikings Bay, a well-backed youngster sent up from the south by John Gosden and ridden by Frankie Dettori.

The form of that contest is 100 per cent rock-solid and given there is s strong possibility that the selection didn't relish racing on Southwell's fibresand, then there is a good chance he'll be all the better for this switch back to turf.

Smart might also be in the money in the earlier £6,000 Marske Handicap courtesy of Creskeld (1.45).

Creskeld returned to something like his best with a battling success at Beverley in October and provided he's not inconvenienced by the drop back in trip to seven furlongs must have bright prospects of completing a double.

Having twice finished in the frame at Newmarket, Great Fox is sure to go off as market leader in the opening five-furlong EBF Maiden Stakes.

Great Fox tends to swerve off a true line, a disturbing trait that has proved costly on both outings to date. So a small investment on True Magic (12.40) might be preferable.

Although the James Bethell-trained filly was out of her depth at Ascot last month, prior to that the daughter of Magic Ring had performed with plenty of credit at both Ripon and Catterick.

Considering the ground is riding firm in places, the fields have held up fairly well at Cheltenham, where a small interest in Joshua's Bay (2.10) might not go amiss.

It takes something of a giant leap of faith to believe a recent Plumpton scorer is capable of making his presence felt at Prestbury Park, but Joshua's Bay did post a very fast time when winning pulling the equivalent of ten Darlington double-decker buses to victory at the Sussex track.

John Jenkins has also taken the trouble to book the resurgent Timmy Murphy to partner his progressive five-year-old, who by virtue of being the youngest contender in the £15,000 Thwaites Smooth Beer Hurdle has the most scope to improve.

No need to be downcast about the chances of Pessimistic Dick (3.20) taking the Telectronics Systems Handicap Chase for the second year in succession.

Hughie Morrison's game gelding comes into the event on the back of an impressive triumph, a factor which, coupled with his relatively light weight, makes him an absolute must for any prospective punters' shopping list

* George Moore is hoping Jungle Jinks can make the most of his liking for Wetherby when he tackles the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase on Saturday.

Jungle Jinks scored three times at the track last season and the Middleham trainer has high hopes for the Proud Panther gelding this term.

He is keen to get a run into the eight-year-old in preparation for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury.

''We will run Jungle Jinks if we are happy with the ground. We thought we would make an entry and have a look at the race as rain is forecast,'' said Moore.

''He definitely did nothing wrong last year and is rated 132, so it is a bit limited as to where he can go. I am desperate to get a run into him before he goes to Newbury.

''He loves Wetherby - he won three times there last year and was second to Keen Leader. He really seems to love jumping round there."

Last year's winner Marlborough is among ten entries for the £60,000-added contest, which is the richest race to be staged at Wetherby.

Nicky Henderson's charge won an incident-packed race 12 months ago, recovering from a bad mistake to beat Hussard Collonges by two lengths.

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