JAMIE SPENCER'S big break came earlier this year when he started to pick up some high-profile mounts for the mighty Godolphin team, however this afternoon at Leicester he'll have to settle for some slightly less glamorous ride.

That's not to say Spencer will not make at least one visit to the winners' circle because aboard North By Northeast (3.45) he appears to hold a more than respectable chance of victory.

North By Northeast is a relatively lightly-raced individual and for my money has yet to show his full potential. There has certainly been plenty to like about several of his efforts this term notably when third Teofilio at Newmarket in July.

Another reason to believe that the selection may well be capable of improved form stems from the fact his able trainer, Pip Payne, has not enjoyed a particularly good season to date judged by his own very high standards.

With Payne's horses patently under a cloud over the past few months it's entirely possible that North By Northeast has also been below par, in which case there is definite scope for improvement since finally the stable does seem to be showing positive signs of staging a more than welcome recovery.

Although sired by Polish Precedent, normally an influence for stamina rather than speed, the selection's optimum distance is undoubtedly just short of one mile, dove-tailing nicely for the contest he is being aimed at - the seven furlong Prestwold Handicap.

Despite advancing years, the durable veteran sprinter Repertory (4.50), who lines up for the Leicester Tiger Conditions Stakes, is still strutting his stuff.

The nine-year-old retains incredible dash considering the majority of racehorses have been consigned to the scrap heap by the time they reach his stage in life.

In the closing mile-and-half-quarter Stag Apprentice Handicap, Sylva Storm (5.20) is fancied to follow-up last month's victory at Yarmouth.

Having run like the proverbial "hairy goat" during the spring, Clive Brittain opted for the unkindest cut of all and had Sylva Storm gelded.

Instead of spending his time staring around at the fillies, the four-year-old began to concentrate on going faster than his rivals and the response was immediate at the East Anglian track.

Heavy rain has turned Lingfield the going from fast to bog-like, conditions that should not inconvenience Nigel Tinkler's long distance raider Great News (4.05).

Nigel would not be sending his horse all the way down from Langton, near Malton, to the Surrey course unless he thought the well-handicapped seven-year-old had a shout. And there's an added bonus in view of the fact that the promising claimer Natalie Gemelova takes an invaluable 7lb off his back.

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