KIEREN FALLON'S booking for Horner (2.15) may have significant overtones as far as today's opening two-year-old race at Chester is concerned.

One of the principal advantages of regularly attending race meetings is the potential to assess the horses "in the flesh" so to speak. Thoroughbreds come in all shapes and sizes, but as a rule it normally pays to stick with the more powerfully-built juveniles, and when I clapped eyes on the debutant Horner at York last week he fitted that description to a tee.

The only real negative for Paul Cole's colt was the overriding impression it might take one outing to put him 100 per cent straight fitness-wise. That theory is about to be put to the test because despite running with bags of promise to finish fourth on his debut at the Knavesmire, I now expect a far bolder show from Horner in the Cheshire Regiment Novice Stakes.

Alan Dickman's sprinter Inter Vision (3.15), who landed an almighty morning gamble when hosing in at Ripon on Bank Holiday Monday, turns out again for the six-furlong £20,000 Showcase Handicap.

With the cash safely in the bank, connections can afford to take another dip at Inter Vision, a previous course and distance scorer well capable of handling the sharp left-handed home turn which has been the undoing of so many fancied individuals over the years.

This column gave Parker (4.45) a very favourable mention for last Saturday night's evening fixture at Redcar and happily the six-year-old obliged at a very tasty 8-1. Pity he didn't carry the nap selection, though there could still be time to capitalise on what seems a lenient handicap mark in the seven-furlong Saffe Joseph Handicap.

Parker has several things going for him, notably a cracking low draw and the assistance of the truly excellent apprentice David Kinsella, who for the second time in five days takes an invaluable 3lb off the selection's back.

It is always dangerous to dismiss David Elsworth on his home track at Salisbury and it therefore follows that Flamenco Bride (3.25) probably has a good chance of landing the H. S. Lester Challenge Cup at the Wiltshire venue.

Elsworth's filly has already won once at the course over the slightly longer trip over 14 furlongs. By all accounts the slight step back in distance shouldn't be a problem and if the forecast heavy rain arrives on cue there will be even more cause for optimism.

The smart money at Lingfield may well be on Frankie Dettori in view of several choice-looking mounts in the Italian's afternoon portfolio.

Two in particular appeal, starting with David Loder's Lommel (2.05), an impressive winner of his sole start to date at Yarmouth in June.

Dettori has also been snapped up by Alan Jarvis to partner the well-bred newcomer Dancing Prince (3.05), likely to feature prominently in the Tandridge Maiden Stakes over six furlongs.

* Yesterday's 4-1 winning nap, Trouble At Bay, meant more bother for the bookies as Janus (Colin (Woods) maintained his superb winning run.

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