NOT many racehorses are revelling in the spell of extremely wet weather, but Cherry Tart (2.50) is proving an exception to the rule, bidding to notch her second success within the space of a week at Carlisle.

Heavy ground is essential for the Cheshire-trained mare, a facile 19-length scorer in almost identical conditions at Newcastle six days ago.

In fact, had not jockey Richard McGrath eased his mount right down to a walk near the line, the margin of victory over the in-form Aelred might easily have been doubled. Now set to make light of her 6lb penalty, Cherry Tart's sights are firmly fixed on a quickfire double.

Many would argue that eight years of age is plenty late enough to switch from the point-to-point field into the much more demanding National Hunt arena.

Thus far, however, it has not been a problem for Narrow Water (1.50), yet to finish out of the frame in three starts under rules following a couple of wins between the flags in Ireland.

Ferdy Murdy's gelding wasted little time striking on this side of the Irish Channel at Wetherby in November, prior to chasing home the top novice Churchstanton at the same course.

If sheer physical presence is anything to go by, Narrow Water, a rangy athletic individual, has the potential to mount a challenge for one of the lesser prizes at the Cheltenham Festival. In the meantime the Rockcliffe Novices' Chase should be a mere formality for the talented North Yorkshire raider.

In keeping with many pundits, I had Howard Johnson's Lord Captitaine (4.00) earmarked for greater things the season before last by virtue of a brace of sparkling performances at Sedgefield and Musselburgh.

Sadly he hasn't progressed as anticipated and is therefore passed over in favour of The Eens (4.00) for the extended two-and-a-half-mile Stanwix Handicap Chase.

Useful 7lb conditional rider Geoff Lake gets the leg-up aboard Ginger McCain's nine-year-old, who acts admirably at the track and is also undeniably well-in at the weights, having slipped markedly down the official ratings.

Best bet on a busy afternoon at Wolverhampton might prove to be Paarl Rock (4.20) in the Eddystone Handicap.

Garry Gibbons' mount cruised to victory over track and trip exactly three weeks earlier, and will surely take some stopping, even with top-weight to shoulder.

l Today's jumps cards at Carlisle and Market Rasen both faced inspections at 7.30am after heavy rain put racing in jeopardy.

Yesterday's action was limited to just an all-weather card at Southwell after Musselburgh's card was called off due to snow.

At Carlisle the going is heavy, soft in places on the chase course and there were more showers forecast last night.

Clerk of the course Johnnie Fenwicke-Clennell said: ''The weather deteriorated after lunchtime and we had snow up until about 3.20pm."

The three chases on the original card at Market Rasen today were abandoned following an inspection yesterday morning, which found the track to be unraceable due to waterlogging. Further rain is threatening the remaining races at the fixture.

Prospects look good for all three meetings tomorrow, despite Chepstow having received 29mm of rain since Friday.

''We'd have raced today all right but the ground is going to be very testing, typical Chepstow ground,'' said clerk of the course David McAllister.

Huntingdon's meeting on Thursday is in doubt.

Clerk of the course Hugo Bevan, who retires at the end of the campaign, said: ''I've never known a season like it, there's just so much rain.

''The going is heavy but the course is flooded in the straight, we have had 21mm of rain over the weekend."

l Convergent Communications has been announced as the new sponsor of the Dante Stakes at York on May 16.

The company are to back the Grade Two contest, regarded as the most significant trial for the Vodafone Derby, and the other races on the card, for the next two years.

Chief executive Tony Farmer said: ''We are committed to sponsor the Convergent Dante Stakes and Convergent Dante day in 2001 and 2002 at least.