TARGETING valuable sprint races has been the trademark of the David Nicholls' operation over recent years and this afternoon at Redcar he's pointed one of his big guns, Undeterred, at the £8,000 Tote Exacta Handicap.

Undeterred (3.30) hasn't exactly had the rub of the green of late, missing the break in a valuable contest at Goodwood on August 24th, only to finish like a train to snatch fifth spot in the dying strides.

Even better was the speedy six-year-old gelding's previous third-placing in the far more prestigious Stewards' Cup, a reproduction of which would surely be good enough to once again fill the Nicholls coffers in the six furlong contest.

At the other end of the spectrum staying is the name of the game in the one-mile-and-six-furlong Clam Handicap.

Something of an understatement to note that there are plenty of the usual suspects in the line-up, including Smarter Charter (4.00), a regular in this type of low-grade handicap.

Smarter Charter has plenty going for him today, notably his liking for course and distance over which he's won before, plus the presence of the apprentice rider, Kristin Stubbs, for whom he always seems to reserve his best.

Only four go to post for the Cockle Novices Stakes in which Queensway Quay (3.00) simply cannot be opposed on the evidence of his blistering debut win at Lingfield last week.

Top southern pilot Philip Robinson's booking for James Bethell's Fittonia (5.00) in the closing Mussel Handicap bodes well for the three-year-olds prospects.

Fittonia has yet to trouble the judge this term, however, she's a workman-like filly related to a very smart performer in France. Her pedigree suggests ten furlongs should be absolutely ideal, a theory backed up by an encouraging effort over one mile at Carlisle last month when, having been outpaced early on, she fairly flew inside the final 100 yards.

The lure of £25,000 of added prize money for the Showcase Handicap at Salisbury has ensured a particularly strong field for seven furlong showpiece.

George Margarson's Enchanted will have her supporters after seeing off a similarly decent bunch at Newmarket, however, I just prefer the prospects of the James Fanshawe trained Curfew (3.10).

Curfew was in no mood for hanging around at Yarmouth last time out, producing a blistering turn of foot to put six lengths between herself and her seven rivals by the time she had crossed the winning line.

After a long summer break, sand racing at Southwell is back with a bang.

Many trainers have been patiently waiting for the ease in the ground provided by the man-made surface, which roughly equates to good to soft going on turf.

One such example is Kevin Ryan's Noble Locks (3.50), who generally does all of his best work around the tight Midlands' circuit.

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