Racing prospects

The southern-based pilot's quest means grasping every opportunity and today he travels to Catterick in the hope of bridging the gap between himself and Fallon, who is leading the table on the 78-winner mark, 13 ahead of Holland in second spot.

Darryll has a definite chance of getting the day off to a successful start aboard Oops (2.00), in the opening Croft Selling Stakes. Oops, formerly with James Given, hasn't shown a great deal for new trainer Tim Easterby, but the trainer has elected to drop the selection significantly in grade.

Both of Holland's next two rides, Micklegate (2.30), and Rahaf (3.05), will be leading lights in their respective races.

Micklegate, a newcomer from James Bethell's stable, takes her place in the line-up for the Stapleton Maiden Fillies' Stakes. Since there isn't an awful lot of quality among those with racecourse experience in the field, Micklegate could easily make a winning debut, especially as her yard has been in corking fettle.

Rahaf's task in the Barton Maiden Stakes is somewhat more straightforward as he appears to have only Sir Michael Stoute's Statement to beat. The fact that Rahaf has posted six career seconds is slightly off-putting, although it would be unfair at this stage to label Mark Johnston's three-year-old a complete villain.

Up at Ayr Exalted (4.30) attempts to go one better in the Petronella Classified Stakes.

Runner-up in the race for the last two years, Exalted signalled his turn was near when staying on stoutly to take fourth place in a competitive handicap at Hamilton recently.

In the earlier Duke Of Perth Handicap, College Maid tries to win at the track for the second time in 24 hours.

Unfortunately she is now at a huge disadvantage coming out of stall two, so preference is for the speedy front-runner Flur Na H Alba (2.55), emerging from berth 17 and fancied to make all hard against the favoured stands' rail.

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