MARK JOHNSTON has an embarrassment of riches in the staying division this year, a point amply illustrated by his powerful challenge for this afternoon's £42,000 Group 3 Sagaro Stakes at Ascot. The race features a fascinating re-match between Persian Punch and Double Honour, first and second respectively in the 2001 Goodwood Cup.

On that occasion Double Honour (2.30) nosed ahead at the two furlong pole, but

The old "streetfighter" Persian Punch bounced back off the ropes to record a rousing victory.

Revenge now beckons for Double Honour who has strengthened considerably over the winter, has a fitness advantage, plus will appreciate the recent easing of the ground at the Berkshire track.

Reports of Henry Cecil's impending retirement have proved premature judged on the way the ten-times former champion trainer has been sending his horses out to battle this term.

I was especially impressed by the way Cecil's Sea Star (3.05) hosed in at Newmarket's Cravem Meeting The progressive four-year-old might well yet turn out to be Group class, in which case the £35,000 Victoria Cup over seven furlongs should be well within Sea Star's compass.

Pontefract's cards kicks off with an interesting two-year-old event over five furlongs.

There might easily be a useful newcomer waiting in the wings to take the spoils, but as we only have racecourse form to work on, Naahy (2.20) has to be the selection. Mick Channon's 36,000 guineas colt made a satisfactory debut at Newmarket when chasing home a hot-pot of Neville Callaghan's. A repeat of that performance may well prove good enough to account for both Revenue, who also shaped well on his introduction at Nottingham.

A mile-and-two furlongs looks right up Shanook's street, the cosy winner an eight furlong maiden at Ripon precisely four weeks ago. Shanook (4.00) has not exactly been let in lightly on his handicap bow, nevertheless the handsome chestnut looks a class act to me.

In the later mile-and-a-quarter Maiden, Pyrrhic (4.30), a Godolphin cast-off, can build on an encouraging debut at Newmarket.

Len Lungo does not keep too many jumpers on the go at time of year, however there is always the exception to the rule and Kelso-bound Ebinzayd (6.50) loves to hear his hooves rattle.

There is some rain hanging around the Scottish Border track, but provided it stays relatively dry, Ebinzayd has a great chance of defying top-weight in the Royal Bank Of Scotland Handicap Hurdle.

* Ashgar, a beaten odds-on chance at Plumpton on Easter Saturday, has tested positive to the banned substance acetylpromazine (ACP). ACP is the most widely and regularly used sedative for horses in this country.

The last time a horse tested positive in Britain for ACP was five years ago when Avanti Express and Lively Knight were found to have been given the drug