FOLKLORE leads us to believe Friar Tuck had a reputation for helping redistribute wealth and the horse named after him might well follow in his footsteps by relieving the bookmakers of some cash at Redcar today.

Linda Perratt's sprinter is bidding to win the Michaelmas Apprentice Handicap for the second year in succession, but this time round his task should be considerably easier having plunged a massive 16lb in the weights over the past 12 months.

Clearly Friar Tuck (5.05) has regressed significantly during 2003, although happily there was much more of a spring in his step when third at Ayr last time out. Given the evidence of that far more encouraging effort, plus the benefit of such a favourable rating, it is tempting to place Friar Tuck into the "steering job" category.

The jockey entrusted with pointing the Perratt's gelding in the right direction is the relatively inexperienced Helen Garner, who will be well-advised to let her far more battle-hardened partner do his own thing rather than go for any fancy tricks in the saddle.

In the earlier September Nursery, Summer Magic (2.30) just about sums up an already excellent campaign for her ever-reliable trainer, David Barron.

With 58 winners to his name at a more-than-respectable 17 per cent strike-rate, Barron has been repaying his supporters in spades since the outset of the turf season in March.

Summer Magic contributed to that impressive haul by scoring at Thirsk in July and since the precocious filly is built like a bulldozer the potential drawback of having to lump top-weight is more than offset by her sheer physical stature.

Arguably the most exciting race of the day takes place in Scotland where ten runners line up for the £15,000 Musselburgh Gold Cup. Having twice napped Jeepstar (3.15) only to be beaten at Leicester and Haydock, it was like being stabbed in the back when he went in Ripon unsupported by this column.

Tim Easterby's fast-improving three-year-old subsequently beat all bar Sporting Gesture, good enough form in my book to bring the trophy back to North Yorkshire.

The most valuable race of the day, the £18,000 Scottish Bloodstock Agency Conditions Stakes, should in theory also be one of the most competitive.

Sadly this is not the case thanks to the buffoons that run our sport these days. The pathetic turn out of just six contestants means provided the vastly-superior Suggestive (3.45) doesn't trip over his own legs, then it should be money for jam to the Newmarket traveller.

Best bet at Bath may prove to be Tintawn Gold (3.25) in the one-mile Mitie Engineering Handicap. Formerly with Nerys Dutfield, Tintawn Gold is now with Steve Woodman having been claimed at Sandown a couple of months ago.

She's a grand scopey filly who showed a good attitude when narrowly beaten at Folkestone recently. Tintawn Gold will not have to come on a great deal from that performance in order to get off the mark at the West Country venue.

* Vinnie Roe, who landed a third successive victory in the Irish St Leger on Saturday, will head to Longchamp for his next outing. Dermot Weld believes his five-year-old deserves to take his chance in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

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