TRAINING top-class fillies has always been one of Henry Cecil's trademarks and he unleashes another smart member of the female generation in the guise of Half Glance (2.50) at Newmarket this afternoon.

Half Glance is currently on offer at 25-1 for the Sagitta 1000 Guineas, but those odds will undoubtedly be slashed if as expected she takes the seven furlong Group 3 Nell Gwynn Stakes.

The three-year-old daughter of Danehill prevailed on her first two starts last term before failing to act on a soft surface when only fourth to Gossamer in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Ascot in September.

The unusually dry spring has played right into Half Glance's hands, who is sure to relish the fast ground at Headquarters.

The preceding Abernant Stakes features a rematch between Reel Buddy (2.15) and Continent.

Only a short-head separated the pair when they finished first and second respectively at Kempton on the first of the month, the latter reckoned by some to be unlucky having been denied adequate racing room at the furlong pole.

Unlucky or not, I still believe Continent may once again have to play second fiddle to Reel Buddy (2.15), a four-year-old held in the highest regard by his vastly-experienced handler Richard Hannon.

A mind-boggling 28 runners go to post for the £20,000 William Hill-sponsored Showcase Handicap. Not really a sensible race to have the mortgage on, however if Takes Tutu (3.25) can convert his useful all-weather form to the turf then he must be in with a serious shout.

Takes Tutu stands on the brink of a hat-trick after success at both Southwell and Lingfield. He's admittedly had a two-month break, although with Mark Johnston's stable in such prime order that need not be a worry for prospective backers.

Pretty low-grade stuff over jumps at Newcastle, but the presence of Tony McCoy and Richard Johnson should hopefully spice up proceedings.

The last time McCoy sat on Perchancer (3.45) he had travelled all the way up from his southern base at Lambourn to Ayr only to get beaten on Patrick Haslam's raider.

Hopefully no such fate will befall McCoy in the Scotchhills Holstein Novices' Hurdle, a contest well within Perchancer's remit on the evidence of his earlier runaway victory at Wetherby.

Ferdy Murphy is enjoying his best ever campaign with 67 winners to date and Bit O Magic chipped in his two penny worth by edging out Shellin Hill at Huntingdon.

Bit O Magic (4.20) will not want for courage when the chips are down in the Come Racing Novices Chase, neither will he lack any assistance from the saddle with the excellent J P McNamara aboard.

Epsom-based trainer Terry Mills has his string on fire at present making Mitcham (2.25) a solid looking bet in the Co-Op Motor Group Stakes at Nottingham.

Mitcham, a former Royal Ascot scorer, appeared to have benefited from a gelding operation by skating up at Kempton on his Easter Monday comeback.

In the most valuable event on the card, the Gordon Lamb Conditions Stakes, ten-to-follow pick Double Honour is nothing more than a penalty kick.