PROVIDED Redcar passes an early morning inspection, Frankie Dettori's presence at the track is major bonus, especially as most of the other top jockeys are scheduled to ride at Ascot or Haydock.
Dettori has been sent north by his retained Newmarket stable of David Loder in order to partner a couple of the yard's inmates, notably the well-bred Maraami (2.15), widely tipped to collect the opening EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes.
Loder's 50 per cent superb strike-rate with his two-year-olds this season is an outstanding achievement, even taking into account the strength of the ammunition he has to hand.
Admittedly they nearly all tend to start at relatively cramped odds.
However, you'd still be making a healthy profit with a £1 level stake wagered on all of his juveniles.
Loder's other raider, Tayibah, engaged in the Double Trigger Maiden Stakes, will probably be the market leader for the contest, but my money will be on Decoy (4.35).
Decoy's part-owner Ron Huggins was also the principal mover and shaker behind the brace of illustrious stayers, Double Trigger, and the sire of Decoy, Double Eclipse, both of whom Huggins now stands at stud.
And the trainer of all three, Mark Johnston, needs no second invitation to have a crack a winning a race named after one of his all-time favourites, and his well-grown filly is definitely fit enough to do herself justice on her debut.
There hasn't been anything like as much rain down at Ascot, where Dr Cool (2.00) bids to complete a hat-trick in the Gentlemen Amateur Bollinger Champagne Final Handicap.
John Akehurst's four-year-old won doing hand-springs at Goodwood nine days ago. Today's event is probably a shade harder, but Dr Cool is improving at such a rate of knots it's hard to envisage him finishing out of the money.
The Watership Down Stud Sales race, worth a stunning £250,000, is not surprisingly a wide-open affair with 29 in all facing the starter.
The draw may well prove highly significant and I fancy the far side might well hold call, making me think Lady Links (3.10) is in pole position emerging from stall 29.
The Richard Hannon-trained filly has run three solid races, and more importantly receives a valuable few pounds from some of her main rivals, including Mick Channon's dual scorer, Lipstick.
Malton's Richard Fahey hasn't had a great year by his own high standards, but there's still time to reap a rich autumn harvest via Vintage Premium (4.20) in the £20,000 EBF Classified Stakes.
Fahey's four-year-old was doing all his best work in the closing stages of a competitive handicap at the St Leger meeting, an upbeat clue as to his current well being.
If rain-hit Haydock is given the go-ahead, mud-loving Celtic Mission (4.10) has got what it takes to shoulder top-weight in the mile-and-a-quarter Penarroya Oxide Handicap.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going, and the bog-like conditions will suit Celtic Mission, one of the toughest cookies in training, down to a tee.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article