NOT too many horses get the better of Kieren Fallon, so it was a major surprise when Silver Band reared and lost ground at the start on her debut at York, effectively putting jockey Fallon and partner out of the contest before the action had even realistically begun.

This afternoon Kieren is reunited with the Tim Easterby trained two-year-old at Beverley, where he will no doubt be well prepared to counteract Silver Band's antics at the start of the Eve Rail Maiden Auction Fillies' Stakes.

Easterby is dually represented in the event since he also runs Mrs Anna.

But she disappointed badly when a heavily-backed favourite at Pontefract last time, and I believe Silver Band (2.15) is the one with more scope for improvement.

In the preceding division 1 of the Eve Rail Claiming Stakes, Fallon has a great opportunity to make a winning start to the day aboard Mindaneo (2.45).

She also ran at York last time, not discreditably either when ninth behind Hibernate in the ultra-competitive Ladies Race for the Queen Mother Cup.

In 1999 the mare notched up wins at Newcastle, Ayr and Ripon. Although success has not come her way since that season, today's big drop in class should go a long way to helping redress the balance.

The £10,000 Showcase Handicap is certainly a tricky affair to fathom, nevertheless I'm going to give Nathan's Boy (3.15) one final opportunity to come up with the goods.

On the debit side, just a solitary success in a near four-year career to date doesn't exactly inspire confidence.

However, the victory was at least achieved over course and distance, plus there's no denying the five-year-old has been mighty consistent of late.

Down at Lingfield, Lady Laureate (4.00) looks a stand out bet in the Bet Direct Fillies Handicap.

Trained at Newmarket by Giles Bravery, she fought like a tigress in a protracted battle all the way up the home straight against Crossways over track and trip a fortnight ago.

On that occasion the filly eventually has to settle for second best, beaten by a half-a-length, but much more significantly she was six lengths clear of the remainder of the field.

The feature race on the card, the £5,600 Arena Leisure Handicap, can go to Mick Channon's Dane Flyer (3.00).

Tactics paid an important part when the selection failed to hold the last gasp charge of Hard To Catch at Goodwood when the pair clashed recently.

To my way of thinking Dane Flyer was made too much use of in front that day, setting the race up for Chris Catlin's mount.

Ridden with just a little more restraint, together with the advantage of being 3lbs better off at the weights, Channon's raider seems poised the get his revenge.

Nap vote goes to Pursuit Of Dreams (4.30) in the closing mile-and-a-quarter Apprentice Handicap.

He's rated 59 on the all-weather, courtesy of a nine furlong win at Wolvverhampton - that's 10lbs higher than today's turf mark.

It's unquestionably a significant advantage, which coupled with the fact that Peter Harris' runner has shown promise on grass, gives him as good as chance as any in an extremely weak heat.