MUSSELBURGH-BOUND Creskeld (2.50) is fancied to spark life into Les Eyre's stable after an unusually slow start to the season.

Eyre's runners are normally out of the blocks in double-quick time during the spring, but for some reason they are just not firing at present.

But given the evidence of Creskeld's decent fifth placing at Lingfield in February, the three-year-old could easily bring about a revival for the yard in the Bathing Coach Classified Stakes.

Oscar Pepper (3.20) would be an absolute certainty in the Panda Handicap if only he could reproduce his smart all-weather from.

Although David Barron's gelding is nowhere is effective on turf he might still be good enough to account for some fairly modest opponents over the one-mile trip.

School Days (4.20) should make the long journey up from Newmarket pay in the Links Maiden Stakes.

Michael Bell's filly gets in with all of the weight allowances going and has shown plenty of promise on her three outings to date.

Despite very firm ground at Brighton, the fields have generally held up extremely well and Jimmy Fortune's booking for the Alan Bailey trained Distinctive Dream (2.30) is definitely an eye-catcher.

He'll have to overcome a disadvantageous wide draw in the 18 strong line-up but there's a whole lot of dead wood on his inner who couldn't win a donkey race on Blackpool beach!

Once useful Flat performer Smyslov (2.10) has so far failed to live up to expectations over jumps.

Rain-sodden surfaces over the winter may have been a contributory factor and he could make amends at Ludlow now that the juice has come out of the soil.

Best bet at Exeter is top-weight Tobago (2.55) in the Merlin Novices' Chase.

* Marienbard, winner of the Merewood Homes Yorkshire Cup last season, is among 38 entries for the Group Two event at York on May 16.

The five-year-old, who ended 2001 finishing seventh in the Melbourne Cup, is one of nine Godolphin entries for the £135,000 contest over a mile and three-quarters.

Persian Punch, a gallant third to Ethereal at Flemington, is another Knavesmire possible along with Millenary, winner of the Rothmans Royals St Leger in 2000.

* Richard Lee is very keen to increase the size of his Flat team and is hoping bargain-buy Almaydan's success under a splendid ride from Pat Eddery in the Renault Vans Handicap at Warwick yesterday will help his cause