THE cards are all stacked in Cardinal Venture's favour in the Showcase Handicap at Doncaster this afternoon.

Two weeks ago, when recommended by this column as the each-way bet of the day at Thirsk, he did readers proud by finishing third at the thoroughly rewarding odds of 16-1.

Like most punters I can never resist playing up the winnings and even though Cardinal Venture (2.45) is now taking on far hotter company, the form book says it's time to put our betting boots back on.

Last season Kevin Ryan's useful gelding prevailed over course and distance in a similar standard contest off a mark of 79. It's therefore heartening to observe his current rating of 76 gives him an outstanding chance of once again coming good on the Town Moor.

It'll be a major shock if the housewives' favourite Frankie Dettori doesn't bag at least one winner at the meeting.

The flamboyant Italian has a book full of quality rides, including Amandus (2.15), Budelli (3.50) and Frizzante (4.25).

The first named is a superbly-bred juvenile hailing from his guv'nor, David Loder's, Newmarket yard. The combination took the equivalent race with Meshaheer 12 months ago and by all accounts this colt is every bit as good.

Dettori has teamed up successfully with Mick Channon in the past, so it's safe to assume Budelli will be cherry-ripe for his bid to capture the Merlin Land Rover Classified Stakes.

In the Askew Maiden Stakes, Frankie get the leg up on James Fanshawe's Frizzante, who will be very hard to beat judged on his cracking Beverley debut where he finished fifth in one of the best three-year-old five-furlong maidens run in the north this season.

Kieren Fallon might have lost some of his choice mounts from the Arab world but he hasn't lost the confidence of many home-based owners and trainers.

He looks likely to come away from Kempton with a boat-load of winners, starting with Bishops Court (3.00) for his old boss, Lynda Ramsden.

Bishops Court appears to have lost none of his old sparkle, although as you would expect at eight years of age he needs at least one outing to open his pipes fully.

That codicil was fulfilled in eminently satisfactory fashion at Beverley recently, putting him absolutely spot-on for the Listed Stan James Achilles Stakes.

The majority of Fallon's later mounts should all be available at reasonable odds, namely Al Moughazel (3.35), Manorbier (4.10) and Greenhope (5.15).

To capitalise on the bookmakers' inevitable weakness in such areas, the sensible bet is to have an each-way Yankee on the aforesaid quartet.

In addition Kieren does have a ride in the 4.40 on Averted View. Loathed as I am to oppose "the enforcer", northern raider Zagaleta just gets the nod.

Andy Turnell's runners are often best backed on their seasonal reappearance and the fact that he has taken to trouble to get Richard Hughes to pilot his progressive gelding makes me think Zagaleta could be the business at the south London track.

There's more northern interest at Newmarket's evening card, where Tim Easterby's Flying Filly Silver Band (8.50) can complete a well-deserved hat-trick in the Cecil Boyd Rochford Fillies' Handicap.

The speedy daughter of Zilzal blitzed a good-looking field at Newbury recently, giving the impression she could be right out of the top drawer.