American Cousin, who is in his element over five furlongs on fast ground, has conditions to suit in the Leyburn Claiming Stakes at Catterick this afternoon.

Although David Nicholls' sprinter isn't the most reliable, he's a fair tool in this grade, as he showed when beating Shady Deal over this trip at Hamilton in the middle of last month.

His form has been patchy since, but he has valid excuses for two of his three subsequent defeats as he reportedly lost his action at Doncaster and had little chance from his low draw at Beverley last time.

The return to this company looks sure to suit and he has both a good chance at the weights and isn't out of this from his stall nine draw. He's taken to beat Milton Bradley's Eastern Trumpeter.

Bradley has fair claims of landing the competitive Tote Placepot Showcase Handicap over the same trip with his Salviati, who has shown he retains plenty of ability this term.

Although below his best at Ascot last time, he showed enough on his previous outing at Doncaster over this trip on quick ground to suggest he should go close now taking a drop in grade.

Richard Fahey's Sharoura has been running really well of late and looks set to give another good account in the Willie Carson Pinkers Pond Apprentice Handicap over seven furlongs.

Following a couple of very creditable runs over this trip, the mare notched her first win for her current stable when beating Mallia and Travelling Times back over six furlongs at Hamilton last time.

And that form was boosted back at the same Scottish course last week when the runner-up and the third finished first and second respectively in a fairly competitive handicap.

At Lingfield, Bahlino looks worth a wager in the Lingfield Golf Club Handicap over a mile-and-a-half on his AW debut.

William Jarvis' runner has been in good form with wins at Redcar and at Beverley and that latest form has worked out very well with subsequent wins from the second, third, fourth and ninth-placed horses.

He was anything but disgraced behind the progressive Inglis Drever at Newmarket last time, but will find this company more to his liking and there's no reason why he shouldn't handle this surface.

At Sandown, Forever My Lord has fair claims in the Panmure Corporate Finance Handicap over a mile and six furlongs.

John Best's gelding has been in good form of late but connections feel that he'll be suited by this slight drop in trip.

Part owner and pro punter Dave Nevison said yesterday "We feel he's well-handicapped and he should get a decent pace over this trip. We're trying him with a Choisir-style eyeshield to help him calm down".

At Leicester, the bet of the meeting could be Mark Johnston's Tedeska in the Alliance & Leicester Fillies Handicap over seven furlongs.

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