AUTUMN is traditionally a time when the bookmakers hold a significant advantage over punters.

And it's not hard to understand why, because rapidly-changing ground conditions, as well as horses tiring after a busy summer campaign, often lets in less established faces winning at much longer starting prices.

Identifying such individuals is part of my brief and one I have very much in mind is Takes Tutu (3.00) in the one-mile Harvest Nursery Handicap at Goodwood.

Although he failed to get his head in front in three solid efforts earlier in the season, the collateral level of the form definitely entitles Takes Tutu to a decent chance in the 15-runner event.

Some backers may be concerned at his 97-day absence from action, but Mark Johnston's juveniles have been in such excellent fettle, that needn't be a worry.

It's also worth noting that the Middleham trainer had one winner from one runner at the southern track yesterday, Robandela.

The fixture gets under way with a most unusual race over two miles featuring National Hunt jockeys in a Flat race.

The jumping boys are always keen to obtain good marks for style in these rare contests and the jockey I predict to pass with flying colours is Mick FitzGerald riding the enigmatic Fletcher (2.00).

Fletcher is not the sort who likes to be bullied along and FitzGerald should provide the perfect foil for the gelding since he tends to sit as quietly as the proverbial church mouse on his horses.

In the feature race, the Group 3 Charlton Hunt Supreme Stakes, Late Night Out (4.05) looks impossible to keep out of the frame.

The Willie Jarvis-trained six-year-old has been in the first three on all of his last six starts, including latterly at Doncaster, where his proximity to the fast-improving Tough Speed was a particularly eye-catching effort.

Former track-and-trip scorer Just Murphy (3.50) makes plenty of appeal in Pontefract's £10,000 Showcase Handicap over a mile-and-a-quarter.

Alan Swinbank's consistent three-year-old battled in ultra-game fashion when third to the smart filly Princess Titania at Haydock, a performance which supports the theory that there's plenty more to come from the son of Namaqualand.

Don't be in the least bit surprised if there's a flood of money on the Kieren Fallon-ridden Dorchester (4.55) in the Racing Channel Handicap.

Shrewd Newmarket handler Willie Musson doesn't make too many mistakes when the dosh is down and Dorchester was finishing like the rocket when seventh in a far hotter heat at Newmarket five days ago.

Over the sticks at Perth, seek no further than Bula Rose (2.40) in the Countryside Alliance Hurdle.

Edwin Tuer's filly looked something special at Sedgefield, routing her opponents with ruthless efficiency. On that evidence, the hat-trick should be completed with what amounts to a penalty kick.

l Racing will go ahead at Carlisle on October 12 for the first time for almost eight months, it was announced yesterday.

Cumbria has been the worst-effected county during the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, with almost 900 confirmed cases.

Racing in the county was curtailed until Cartmel staged its August Bank Holiday meeting and now Carlisle has been given the green light to restart.

''We are delighted with the news. Having not raced since February it will be great to be racing again, starting with the opening day of our National Hunt season on October 12,'' said Andrew Tulloch, racecourse manager.

''The grandstand development is well under way and by the time we race the old grandstand will have been demolished."