TIM EASTERBY, still on a high following Bollin Eric's success at York earlier in the week, has the sniff of more big-race glory at Newmarket today courtesy of Somnus (3.45) in the Listed Hopeful Stakes, writes Colin Woods (Janus).

Whereas Bollin Eric is a rugged middle-distance stayer, Somnus is a speed merchant. Having come though his two-year-old career unbeaten, Easterby's flier then had to suffer the indignity of defeat on his first two outings this term.

Maybe it was a touch of sunshine required to spark Somnus into action because as soon as the mid-summer heatwave began to take a hold he came back to form with a vengeance, notching successive victories at Haydock and Newbury in July.

And the hat-trick looked a certainty at Ascot's Shergar Cup meeting - that was until Kevin Darley sent his mount up a blind alley from which he could not recover in time to catch the three leaders.

The Bridlington Classified Stakes at Thirsk has attracted some decent milers including Boston Lodge (3.55), scheduled to be partnered by in-form apprentice Frankie McDonald.

McDonald, who rode his first across-the-card treble at Salisbury and Sandown last week, represents fantastic value for the 5lb he's entitled to claim when taking on the senior jockeys.

Boston Lodge is no slouch either - he failed by an ever-diminishing neck to collar the smart Grand Passion at Newmarket last time out

Nigel Tinkler's Mary Jane (5.05) bids to win the closing Greta Apprentice Stakes for the third year in a row.

Even more significantly it is the mares' final race as she is in foal to Sugarfoot and about to be retired to the paddocks. Fairytales occasionally come true, so let's hope Mary Jane can go out in a blaze of glory and at the same time land the nap selection.

Tony McCoy, sidelined for the past eight weeks with a broken arm, returns to the saddle at Fontwell on Enitsag (3.05) in the Denmans Gardens Selling Hurdle.

Tony has chosen a relatively inauspicious race in order to test out his fitness, hoping no doubt for a clear round. Not surprisingly Enitsag is reckoned to be a pretty safe jumper affording McCoy every chance of a successful comeback.

Newcastle's evening meeting features the reappearance of Flying Tackle, sensationally relegated to second spot four days after "officially" dead-heating with Williams Well at the course one week ago.

Denton-near Darlington-based handler Michael Dods was rightly aggrieved when the judge, Tim MacDowel, decided one hour after declaring the dead-heat that he wasn't 100per cent sure about his decision and referred the photo finish print to a higher authority.

"With all the technology available I think it is a shocking that mistakes like this can happen.'' said Dods.

He has an excellent point and if there is any justice in this world Flying Tackle (8.10) will gain deserved compensation by winning the Cantor Index Handicap at the Tyneside track.

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