MAKE sure Atlantic Viking (7.00) is on your short list for this evening's £30,000 Northern Rock Gosforth Park Cup at Newcastle.

Getting the maximum amount of oxygen into the lungs is a vital prerequisite of a being successful racehorse, and it seems Atlantic Viking's minor wind operation during the winter has helped his breathing apparatus no end.

And the benefit of the surgery was demonstrated in no uncertain terms at Ripon eight days ago where the selection burnt off his rivals with a blistering turn of foot despite having to shoulder top-weight.

Trainer David Nicholls has deservedly gained a reputation as one of the premier handlers of sprinters in the land, leaving the distinct impression that he has been targeting Atlantic Viking for a tilt at the famous Tyneside five furlong dash for sometime.

Provided the ground remains reasonably fast, the veteran eleven-year-old Bold Amusement (6.30) seems sure to give a good account in the preceding Bollinger Champagne Handicap for Gentlemen Amateur Riders.

Scott Cunningham's charge has been a wonderful stable servant over the years, including a course and distance victory amongst his victory portfolio.

While many geldings of his age would an honourable retirement, he appears to have lost none of his old zest judged by a recent running-on fifth at Beverley.

There's no denying the chance of Shatin Princess in the two-year-old six furlong Selling Stakes at 7.30.

The clock rarely tells lies in juvenile contests and the times she has recorded in four outings to date suggest the Linda Perratt trained filly will simply go too fast for her modest rivals.

Pick of the afternoon action takes place at Newmarket where Effervesce (3.00) catches the eye in the Half Moon Handicap.

After a dreadfully slow start to the season Mark Buckley's yard are now firing on all cylinders, boding well for the prospects of the selection, an excellent fifth at York despite being awash with sweat in the preliminaries.

Another Northern raider with hopes of beating the southern boys on their own patch is Ash Moon (4.30), making the journey down from Karl Burke's Spigot Lodge base near Middleham.

Ash Moon showed she was on the way back with a cracking effort in a red-hot Listed contest at Haydock last time.

Whatever the fate of Ash Moon at Newmarket, I'm convinced Burke will not leave Goodwood empty-handed, so strong is his challenge with Zietzig (6.40) and Little Amin (7.10) in the first two races on the card.

Of the pair Little Amin has the most obvious claims, poised to land a hat-trick after collecting over track and trip, and more latterly in a prestigious event at the Epsom Derby meeting.

Backers concentrating on the eight-race extravaganza at Southwell need to be patient for the best bet of the day, Cryfield (5.10), in a different league to his opponents for the closing mile handicap.