MICHAEL BELL'S powerful Newmarket stable is on fire at present pointing strongly to chances of Autonomy (2.40) in the Strensall Stakes at York this afternoon.

Like so many of Bell's inmates Autonomy has been slow to come to hand this season.

But as all keen followers of the sport will know, there's no point in rushing horses if they are out of form.

When the selection did make his somewhat belated reappearance he ran a perfectly respectable race to finish third to Reach The Top at Headquarters.

Autonomy, a more-than-useful juvenile last term, is bound to have come on a ton for that outing, so should by all accounts make a bold bid to maintain Bell's purple patch.

In the opening Batleys Cash & Cash Handicap, Wilton (2.10) is fancied to defy a 98-day absence.

Wilton appears to be a pretty clean winded type on evidence of past history, often performing creditably when fresh. It's also interesting to note that he has actually won off a mark of 74 on the All-Weather, 4lbs higher than his current turf rating.

The £25,000 Showcase Handicap has attracted a strong field of six-furlong sprint specialists.

Forgive Royal Artist (3.10) an inexplicably bad run at Newmarket 18 days ago and he must be in with a major shout.

Prior to that bitterly disappointing effort, the Willie Haggas trained raider had left one of his rivals today, Cryhavoc, toiling in his wake at Ascot.

Although the latter is nearly a stone better off at the weights, it may still not be sufficient to enable Cryhavoc to turn the tables even on the revised terms.

In the closing extended mile-and-a-quarter Apprentice Handicap it could pay dividends to stick with low-drawn front-runners since few events of this type seem to be won by hold-up horses at the track nowadays.

Cassandra (5.10) not only loves to set the pace, but has in addition been lucky enough to have bagged pole position against the far rail. Provided her young rider winds the speed up gradually at the head of affairs, I believe local handler Mel Brittain, who trains just a few miles outside the city, will have cause to celebrate.

Brighton-bound Rita's Rock Ape (3.20) is another individual who is not in the habit of hanging around once the gates fly open.

Ian Mongan's mount will be pouring on the pressure from the word go in the Army Benevolent Fund Handicap, tactics likely to pay-off on the ultra-quick predominately downhill Sussex track.

Tom Scudamore is better known for exploits in the saddle over the sticks.

Nevertheless he has proved more than effective on his rare sorties on level, giving solid encouragement for the supporters of top-weight Eastern Champ in the Amateur Riders Handicap at 4.50