JOHN CARROLL'S career has nosedived over the past couple of seasons but if the horse is good enough he can still hold his own with all but the top-flight jockeys.

Carroll desperately needs more high-profile engagements to help re-establish his flagging fortunes and a win aboard Charlie Parkes (2.10) in today's opener at York would come as a welcome tonic.

About as uncomplicated as they come, Charlie Parkes' one modus operandi - flat out from the moment the stalls fly open - was employed in the Blacks People For Property Handicap 12 months ago. It was only in the dying strides that he gave way to the fast-finishing Maromito.

Eric Alston's sprinter has also performed exceptionally well this term, winning at Thirsk, followed by a decent fourth to Matty Tun in a blanket finish.

Matty Tun has since gone on to claim Musselburgh's richest race of the year, so Charlie Parkes should be hard to beat in the £14,000 five-furlong dash.

There's another six grand in the pot for the Showcase Handicap, fancied to fall to Tim Easterby's recent Pontefract scorer Fayr Jag (3.15).

Fayr Jag is widely-regarded as one of the leading lights for the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot next week, but his trainer has shrewdly spotted that this is a much easier option for the in-form gelding.

Frankie Dettori's booking for Barolo in the Colliergate Rated Stakes Handicap might have the effect of shortening his starting price to such an extent that the combination will be potentially poor value.

In such circumstances it may pay to invest on Mamcazma (5.00), a previous track and trip winner who was beaten less than a length over course and distance by Landing Light in mid-May.

Mamcazma was a most progressive individual throughout 2002, landing a couple of valuable prizes at Newmarket during a money-spinning campaign. It does seem as if the Dave Morris-trained son of Terimon is as good as ever this season and it'll be no surprise if he finds his way back into the winners' enclosure.

John Dunlop's powerful stable has been a touch quiet, although his horses have been showing positive signs of a revival lately.

If that trend continues Kristal Dancer (4.50) must be considered to be a serious contender for the Royal Star & Garter Fillies Handicap at Sandown. She's a very lightly raced filly, but the steady headway made by Kristal Dancer when third at Nottingham over one mile suggests that today's ten-furlong trip could be her optimum distance.

Goodwood raider Crown Agent (8.00), twice runner-up in competitive contests at Windsor and Warwick, looks far too good for his rivals in the Brian Truscott Maiden Handicap, and is therefore awarded the nap vote.

* CYCLONIC STORM landed a 3-1 nap for JANUS (Colin Woods) in convincing fashion at Hamilton yesterday.

* One of racing's great owner-breeders was remembered at Newbury yesterday as Approach won the Lord Weinstock Memorial Ballymacoll Stud Stakes.

But the victory of the 5-6 favourite did not come without controversy after a rough race where the winner drifted off a straight line in the final stages.

The Sir Mark Prescott-trained filly looked a good bet to take the Listed contest if she was able to reproduce her form from last season, which included an excellent sixth to Soviet Song in the Fillies' Mile.

Always travelling nicely, George Duffield brought Approach through to lead just over a furlong out but she had to be strongly ridden to hold off the late flourishes of Flying Wanda and Manama Rose - who had been hampered two furlongs out by the winner - by a head and the same.

A stewards' inquiry was called but they concluded that the interference caused by the winner had been accidental and had not improved her final placing.

Prescott explained that injury problems had kept Approach, a daughter of Group One-winning mare Last Second, off the course until now this season.

Get more on racing at our Racing North site.