A BRACE of big-field handicaps just about hands the overall advantage to the bookies at York today, but wide-awake punters can still draw first blood by backing Philharmonic (1.40) in the opening Rockingham Stakes.

Last time out at Ripon, Philharmonic pulverised his main market rival, Desperate Dan, with a stylish flourish over the final couple of furlongs, and prior to that Richard Fahey's colt notched a hard-fought course and distance success, proving his ability to knuckle down to the job when required.

Today's opposition, which includes Peak To Creek, who won last weekend's £150,000 Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar, is nothing short of fearsome. But with fewer miles on the clock than any of his other six rivals, Philharmonic might just have the edge over his more battle-weary opponents.

It's no use crying over spilled milk, but when Start Over (2.10) was caught right on the line at Musselburgh a few more quid from this quarter went down the pan.

John Carroll's mount had looked home and hosed at the Edinburgh venue until the Willie Haggas-trained Tour de Force produced a stunning late rally to grab the spoils in the shadow of the post.

Maybe Carroll hit the front too soon on Start Over, a scenario impossible to envisage reccurring as he will have to ride a more patient race on account of their wide draw in stall 18.

But it could be a blessing in disguise because the normally headstrong Start Over might be wiser to stalk the pack and play and a wait-and-see game, rather than act as the hare to catch in the Persimmon Homes Handicap.

This year's Racing North ten-to-follow selections have enjoyed a relatively successful campaign, although Blue Steel (2.45), in cricket parlance, has yet to trouble the scorers.

Better late than never and if Richard Whitaker's three-year-old comes good in the £30,000 coral.co.uk Sprint Trophy then he'll pay us off in one single hit.

Almost certain to go off at odds of 10-1 or better, Blue Steel deserves a change of luck. Twice when fancied the gelding has been drawn on the wrong side of the track, a fate to befall the nap selection at Haydock recently where he had to plough his way through slow ground against the stodgy stands side rail.

There'll be no such excuses on today's faster surface, and as Whitaker's horses are finally showing signs of a revival following a wretched few months, Blue Steel is worthy of an each-way bet in the 20-runner speed blitz.

Judged by the excellent form Cartography has been showing, his supporters should not require a map to find Michael Jarvis's two-year-old come the finale of the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes at Ascot.

Cartography (2.20) has won two from three, including a facile odds-on triumph at Beverley just over a fortnight ago. On paper it seemed at the time like a weak affair, a situation redressed by the third home, Imperial Echo, who put a shine on what appeared to be real run-of-the-mill stuff by occupying a similar position in a hot race at Redcar seven days ago.

Ferdy Murphy looks the trainer to follow over the jumps at Hexham, where the quick ground has whittled down the runners and accordingly presented the East Witton genius with a couple of less-than-competitive opportunities.

In the opener Dazzling Rio will most likely go to post favourite, but I expect Murphy'staying mare Ragu (2.05) to overcome a 147-day absence to claim the Insitu Cleaning Novices' Hurdle.

Ferdy should also be on the mark in the next on the card, the Arriva Trains Northern Beginners Chase, in which the consistent Howaboys Quest (2.35) is fancied to rattle off his third win of the current National Hunt season.

* Jockeys' spokesman John Blake is still hopeful that a compromise can be reached in the row over mobile phones without the case going to court.

The dispute with the Jockey Club over rules restricting the use of mobile phones dominated the headlines when a meeting at Sandown last month was called off after a jockeys' boycott.

Blake, chief executive of the Jockeys' Association, is due to meet senior members of the Jockey Club on October 21.

''I have put forward some new ideas to the Jockey Club," he said.

''To be honest, the reaction was not what I had hoped for in terms of future negotiations. I am trying to progress the situation."

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