WILLIE SUPPLE has finally found the key to getting the best out of Jeepstar, strongly fancied to take the opening Patrington Leisure Park Handicap at York today.

Supple's sheer strength-in-the-saddle played a major part in Jeepstar's inaugural success at Ripon last week where the normally hard-pulling gelding settled beautifully for the ace Irish pilot.

By hanging on so skilfully to Jeepstar's head Willie managed to conserve sufficient reserves of energy for the combination to prevail on their first ever try over a mile-and-quarter.

This afternoon they must go an extra two furlongs on the Knavesmire, but provided the three-year-old gelding is once again prepared to abandon his headstrong antics and play ball with his partner, a second victory within the space of nine days beckons.

Local heartthrob, the dashing grey Smart Predator, bids to bolster an ever-growing fan club by following up his recent course and distance in the T Mobile Rated Stakes.

John Quinn's raider is worthy of each-way support, however for the win only option my cash will be carried by the fast-improving Fruit Of Glory (2.40), an extremely impressive winner of his last two outings at Newmarket.

Despite having a bit to find according to the official BHB ratings, Akshar (3.45) should not be found wanting in the big-race on the card, the Group 3 Srensall Stakes over nine furlongs.

In terms of physical stature thoroughbreds don't come much more handsome than Akshar, a veritable hunk of a horse with an arrogant swagger to match. He could not have done the job more easily than when landing some huge wagers at last month's Ebor Festival, and with Kieren Fallon again doing the steering defeat appears to be out of the question.

Interestingly the horse that finished runner-up to Akshar, Howle Hill (3.15), turns out for the preceding Garrowby Rated Stakes.

Howle Hill has never previously attempted twelve furlongs, nevertheless his style of running gives an inkling he'll be eminently suited by the step up in trip for the £20,000 contest.

The closing Holgate Apprentice Handicap is a not an event for those of a nervous disposition since there'll be 20 relatively inexperienced riders zipping round the bottom bend all no doubt jostling for pole position as heads turn for home.

Perhaps one of the field likely to adopt a more patient role is Style Dancer (5.20), who is nothing like as effective unless held up until the last possible minute.

Kevin Darley rather overdid the tactics last time out at Newcastle where he got himself boxed in. Once Darley did find a gap it was all too late as the first three had already bid their fond farewells and bagged the booty.

Henry Cecil has not been keen to run many of his stable-inmates on the all-weather tracks in the past, so the fact that Witticism (1.50) tries her luck in the mile-and-a-half Barclaycard Maiden Stakes at Lingfield is bound to raise a few eyebrows.

On the evidence of her two outings to date Witticism is no world-beater, none the less she did show a modicum of ability on her most recent start at Haydock and now has the advantage of taking quite a marginal drop in class.

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