ALBUHERA has an outstanding chance of landing a first ever Cambridgeshire Handicap for Middleham handler Mark Johnston.

Not too many of the mile plus major handicaps have slipped through Johnston's fingers over the past 13 seasons, but the £120,000 Newmarket showpiece has yet to feature on his star-studded career portfolio.

It's a fact that fast-improving three-year-olds such as Albuhera (3.55) have an excellent record in race, a factor that has not escaped the ante-post betting which has been dominated by four horses, Smirk, Alphaeus, Albuhera, and Halland, all of whom fit the stated criteria.

Smirk shot to head the head of the market as a result of chasing home Sir Michael Stoute's Tough Speed in the Bradford & Bingley Handicap at York. The latter went on to collect a Group 3 race at Doncaster's St Leger meeting, franking the form in no uncertain terms.

David Elsworth, who won the nine-furlong bruising battle in 1998 with Lear Spear, has booked Kieren Fallon to ride Smirk. They're clearly in with a great shout, as is Geoff Wragg's Halland, reported to have worked "brilliantly" since his cosy success in a mile-and-a-quarter handicap at Newbury in August.

Newbury was also the venue for Albuhera's latest victory, where he unfortunately incurred a 7lbs penalty for slaughtering a field of seasoned handicappers over ten furlongs.

Without the penalty, Albuhera's task would have eased somewhat, however, he's a big bull of a gelding, well up to shouldering lumps of lead in saddlecloth.

The participation of the other substantial pre-race gamble, Alphaeus, remains in jeopardy.

As recently as this Thursday, trainer Sir Mark Prescott went on record as saying his runner was "very doubtful" due to the lack of fast ground.

Conditions had dried out sufficiently yesterday for the three-time winner to be declared, although any further rain would surely put paid to his challenge if connections are correct about Alphaeus's aversion to a soft surface.

In the preceding Group 2 Sun Chariot Stakes, Johnston's Riberac (3.10), already in pocket to the tune of £112,658 for win and place money this term, attempts to add to that not inconsiderable haul for loyal owners Mrs and Mrs Gary Middlebrook.

Riberac probably just needed the outing when disappointing in gluey ground at Doncaster.

It was undoubtedly an out-of-character effort from the normally consistent five-year-old mare, fully expected to bounce right back to form in the £60,000 Fillies & Mares only contest.

For the nap selection I am relying on a bit of luck with the weather, because if the forecast rain arrives at Headquarters, look out for Racing Bailey's in the six furlong Nursery at 2.35 - he's a stone better when there's plenty of juice in the turf.

Following Mary Reveley's sparkling double at Sedgefield on Tuesday, more success beckons over the jumps at Uttoxeter where Sad Mad Bad (3.20) should stay every inch of three-and-a-quarter-mile Handicap Chase for the Chiltern Variety Club Trophy.

Sad Mad Bad is a slightly quirky customer, however, he's won at the track before, a tremendous advantage as the slightly unusual configuration of the course does not suit all. Tweed's (3.50) superior rating makes him something to bet on the later lowly Peter Douglas Selling Hurdle.

He was previously trained by Roger Charlton prior to joining Jedd O'Keeffe at Middleham. Coming from such heady circles, surely he will have the guns to prevail at this inferior level, more especially having finished runner-up to the fair hurdler, Toshiba Times, last time out.

The old firm of Pipe and McCoy are normally good for a winner or two at Chepstow where Ashley Muck (2.30) and Westender (3.00) are both in tip-top order.

Looking forward to Sunday's Prix de l'Arcde Triomphe in Paris, the favourite Sakhee, owned by Goldophin and ridden by Frankie Dettori, has been unluckily drawn right out in Longchamps' car park.

No such problem for the brilliant St Leger scorer Milan, coming out of the box seat in stall number one and reckoned to be spot-on by big-race ace Mick Kinane.