LOW drawn front-runners enjoy a huge advantage over seven furlongs at Catterick handing a significant advantage to Contact (3.15) in the Nags Head at Pickhill Handicap.

While some of the market leaders have been drawn out in the double-digit cheap seats, Contact appears to be sitting pretty emerging from his inside berth in stall two.

He's certainly got the early pace to lead to the first bend, and from there on in with the assistance of being able to run against the favoured far side rail, Michael Wigham's five-year-old might just hold too many aces for his 17 rivals.

Just as crucial in the argument for backing Contact is his current handicap mark, which has crashed a whopping 33lbs over the past 18 months.

By that reckoning it's fair to say he isn't quite the horse he was, but I'm of the opinion he's still retained sufficient ability to make his class tell. Believe it or not the mile-and-six-furlong Joey Davis Handicap might not be far enough for either Academy or Stage Direction, both of whom won over further last time out.

The winning duo have shown an equal preference for two miles or more, leaving the door wide open for Gargoyle Girl (3.45) to utilise her superior finishing speed.

Jockey Robbie Fitzpatrick breathed a monster sigh of relief when Gargoyle Girl crossed the line in first place at Musselburgh a week ago since it broke his long losing run of 120 rides.

Surprisingly Robbie's not back in the plate this afternoon, although there's no complaints about his replacement, the new Lester Piggott, Keith Dalgleish.

Spigot Lodge supremo Karl Burke has found the winners hard to come by over the past few weeks, a situation which could change if the near veteran gelding Hibernate obliges in the 4.15.

Having won at the likes of York in days gone by, a race around the likes of a Catterick should be a cakewalk for Hibernate.

Sadly the old boy is on the decline, however, not to such an extent that he cannot deal with some thoroughly exposed sorts in the mile-and-a-half Wetherby Steeplechases Claiming Stakes.

The Tote have rustled up ten grand for the Showcase Handicap at Bath, and with 15 going to post for the one mile handicap the eventual winner will most probably have to dig fairly deep in order to take the cash.

The one my money will be on is Out For A Stroll (3.00), second home but deservedly awarded a race at Newcastle last week when badly hampered by the Robert Winston-ridden Hurricane Coast.

On balance the form of the Tyneside contest looks a cut above average and Out For A Stroll might just turn out to very "well in" with only a 3lbs penalty to shoulder for that victory.

Get more racing online at www.racing-north.co.uk.