DARRYLL HOLLAND is re-united with a potential 2000 Guineas contender in the shape of Dupont (2.00) at Lingfield this afternoon.

Holland and partner have not been seen out since June 9th at Doncaster when the pair put their rivals to sleep with a pulsating five length success in a six furlong maiden event.

Dupont then went on his summer holidays, a break that can only have done him good because such superbly bred two-year-olds normally need plenty of time to strengthen and develop physically.

The Willie Haggas trained colt, a son of Zafonic out of a Sadler's Wells mare, is now fancied to shrug off his near three-month absence and follow-up the Doncaster win by taking the opening seven furlong Novice Stakes at the Surrey track.

Not too many John Dunlop trained juveniles get in two-year-old handicaps carrying less than nine stone, but that's just the case for Persian Lightning (2.30) attempting to win the Heineken Nursery.

The leniency by the Official Handicapper is almost certainly due to a below par performance by Dunlop's youngster at Newmarket where he finished out with the washing in a race won by Blackthorn.

Digging around for a plausible excuse it is perfectly possible that Persian Lightning failed to stay the trip of one mile, a theory supported by the trainer's decision to drop his Sri Pekan colt back one furlong.

The alcoholic theme continues with the Stella Handicap, likely to fall to Inchdura (3.30) provided he can reproduce the level of form he showed at Salisbury in July when dishing out a two-and-a-half length drubbing to Kings Signal.

The Strongbow Selling Stakes is a weakly-contested affair featuring a bunch of mainly modest performers.

In such circumstances it often pays to stick with what you know, and we do know that the veteran nine-year-old Lancer (4.00) still retains a modicum of ability, ably demonstrated by his recent win in a comparable event at Folkestone.

In the H. S. Lester Memorial, Gold Standard (3.15) might well turn out to be a "steering job" at Salisbury.

The three-year-old certainly gave Richard Quinn an armchair ride when the pair ran loose to score by five lengths at the track earlier this month.

In the later Mathew Clark Fillies' Handicap, Berkeley Hall (4.45) looks to be approaching concert pitch.

Last time out at Folkestone Bryn Palling's sprinter was no match for Mick Channon's Sunley Scent.

At first glance the form looks "nowt flash" as they say in Yorkshire, however a study of the race times achieved at the Kent course that day reveals the contest was run in double quick fashion.

Amber Fort (5.15), who made late headway to snatch fourth spot at Beverley on Saturday, is well worth an each-way bet in the closing Hands And Heels Apprentice Handicap.

* All the leading fancies stood their ground in the Rothmans Royals St Leger after the latest forfeit stage revealed yesterday for the Doncaster Classic.

A total of 19 three-year-olds remain in the 225th running of the September 15 contest.

Ante-post betting on the St Leger is currently headed by Mr Combustible and the unbeaten Alexius.

Mr Combustible was a convincing winner of the Geoffrey Freer Stakes against older horses at Newbury on his latest start to earn his prominent position in the betting.

Alexius won the Group Three Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last time out for trainer Sir Michael Stoute, who has never won the St Leger.

Stoute is also represented by the progressive Artillery, winner of a handicap at York last week, and Beekeeper, who finished fourth in the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes at the same meeting.

The Great Voltigeur winner Milan heads a strong overseas challenge.

The Sadler's Wells colt is one of four entries for leading trainer Aidan O'Brien.

His team also includes the Tote Ebor victor Mediterranean, the unraced Life Match and possible pacemaker Saddler's Creek.

The Irish entries are Vinnie Roe and John Oxx-trained Pugin, fourth in the Irish Derby.

There has not been an Irish-trained St Leger winner since Vincent O'Brien sent over Boucher in 1972.

Middleham handler Mark Johnston looks to have a strong contender with And Beyond, who has been aimed at Doncaster since winning the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot in June.

Bill Elsey's Peleid in 1973 was the last northern-trained winner of the St Leger.

Latest Ladbrokes Rothmans Royals St Leger betting:

3-1 Mr Combustible and Alexius, 7-2 Milan, 10-1 Morshdi, And Beyond, Mediterranean, 16-1 Beekeeper, Putra Sandhurst, Pugin, Vinnie Row, 20-1 Wareed, 25-1 bar