SIENA STAR'S improving form figures suggest he is on the brink of breaking his duck in this afternoon's Toll Gavel Nursery at Beverley.

Les Eyre's two-year-old gelding has successively finished fourth, third, and then runner-up to Peregian at Catterick on his latest start.

Both track and trip suit Siena Star (5.00), ridden by northern ace Tony Culhane, currently heading for his best season.

Brilliantrio (3.50) caused a major upset on her debut at Newcastle romping home at 20-1.

Only the bookmakers and connections of the selection were jumping for joy that day, but even at a much shorter price punters may still have the last laugh should Julie Camacho's filly maintain her unbeaten record.

There's a really competitive edge to the Rapid Lad Handicap with several bang in-form individuals facing the starter.

Colway Ritz and Little Amin both act well at the course, however preference is for Kind Regards (4.25), who was persistently hampered when trying to make her challenge in a valuable handicap at Glorious Goodwood.

David Nicholls has pencilled in the seven-furlong Showcase Handicap at Epsom for Al Muallim (3.05).

Considering he was running over a furlong less than ideal in the Stewards Cup, Dandy's raider did well to finish a creditable eleventh of 30.

Now returning to his optimum distance, Al Muallim and partner Alex Greaves have a great chance of bringing the day's best prize back to the North-East.

Santiburi Girl (3.40), who won pulling the proverbial cart at Redcar on Sunday, has been whipped out again in an attempt to complete a quick-fire hat-trick having previously scored at Newbury.

Following improving three-year-old fillies in the autumn has long been regarded as a successful system and even a 4lb penalty may not be enough to stop her collecting yet again.

Salisbury-bound Cauda Equina (2.20) is overdue a win after an unusually fruitless campaign.

At least he's slipped a few pounds in the weights and accordingly could easily carpet his rivals in the Axminster Apprentices Handicap.

Much-travelled Middleham-based Riberac (4.00) won at Sandown last week before going all the way up to Ayr in Scotland on Tuesday to complete an impressive double.

Amazingly sandwiched between those victories the four-year-old daughter of Efisio had to travel to Haydock on Saturday to pass a stalls test!

Including today's run to Wiltshire and back, I reckon that's the neck end of 1,500 miles in a horsebox over the past eight days, and well worthwhile too since Riberac cannot be opposed in her current mood for the Stella Artois Fillies Handicap.

Nap vote belongs to veteran stayer Rising Spray (5.10), cherry-ripe after a pleasing pipe-opener at Kempton.

l Marton Mere ensured followers of Janus got off to a flyer at Beverley yesterday when obliging in the opener at 25-1.

l David Elsworth saddled his 1,000th career winner when 16-1 shot Trillie came good in the EBF Isle of Wight Novice Stakes at Salisbury this afternoon.

The Neil Pollard-ridden filly seemed beaten over a furlong out but rallied to such effect that she stuck her nose in front virtually on the post for a short-head verdict from Repulse Bay.

An elated Elsworth said: ''My first Flat winner Raffia Set was here in 1982 and now my 1,000th winner is at Salisbury as well but I wouldn't really say it was my lucky track as there have been plenty of shocks here too."

First Fantasy gave Newmarket trainer James Fanshawe his third victory in the Listed Upavon Fillies' Stakes and in the process booked her ticket for the valuable Tote Cambridgeshire at Newmarket next month.

Given a typically patient ride by Ray Cochrane, First Fantasy finished fast and late to grab the spoils in a three-way photo