CLAIRE STRETTON'S association with Ostara (3.20) has coincided with a remarkable run of success for the Beverley-bound five-year-old gelding

Trained at West Pinchpeck in Lincolnshire by Con Dore, who has recently taken over from his father-in-law Roger Spicer, Ostara has won four of his last five races. Those wins included a course and distance success a week ago today, when he powered clear of his field as soon as the talented young 7lbs apprentice kicked in the turbo at the furlong pole.

The in-form combination have since gone in again at Doncaster on Saturday, where again the pair put their rivals well and truly to the sword once Claire put her foot hard down to the floor.

Meanwhile, the poor old Official Handicapper has been unable to keep tabs on the fast-improving selection, and as a consequence Ostara only has a single 6lbs penalty to carry when lining up for the extended seven furlong Betfair Telephone Handicap.

No doubt when the Handicapper does have the opportunity to re-assess Ostara next weekend he will shove him up a good deal in weights, but as things stand this week his hands are tied by the system allowing Stretton and partner to make more hay while the sun shines.

In the preceding mile-and-a-half Betting Exchange Handicap, Prins Willem (2.50) has the chance to add to the purple patch being enjoyed by his Newmarket handler, James Fanshawe.

Fanshawe had seven winners last week, rounded off by the peerless Warningford collecting the Listed John O'Gaunt Stakes at Haydock for the second time.

Admittedly Prins Willem isn't is that league, however he's no mug either and the value of his third to Crow Wood at Leicester certainly stacks up well after the latter ran a blinder at Epsom's Derby meeting.

Alan Swinbank introduces a very smart newcomer to the jumps' game at Market Rasen in the guise of Saratov (4.40), bound to go off favourite for the Air Products Novices' Hurdle.

Saratov, a Listed class performer on the level for Mark Johnston, has the ability to pick up and carry his modest rivals in the two mile one furlong contest, provided of course he negotiates the eight flights of hurdles a long the way!

Swinbank has excellent prospects of doubling up later on in the day up at Hamilton where Sikasso (8.20) can make up for his narrow defeat at Haydock last Friday

Sikasso blotted his copybook on that occasion by lugging in behind the eventual winner Bollin Thomas, indeed had he kept on a straight path many feel he would have beaten Tim Easterby's charge.

It's not always easy to explain such antics, although one thing is for sure, racehorses aren't built to run on tramlines and consequently it's not unusual to see them wandering off a true line in the heat of battle.

If the closing Baker Tilly Handicap does happen to take place under grey skies, the runners may need headlights to see their way for the five furlong dash scheduled to go off at 9.20.

High numbers normally have the call and with David Chapman's sprinters in such superb heart it would be foolish not to have recent Wolverhampton scorer Young Bigwig on your short-list in the hope that the speedy eight-year-old can help pay the evening's expenses.

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