MICK EASTERBY attempts to win Ascot's Brown Jack Handicap for the second time in three years today with his game and genuine stayer Sanbaggedagain.

Yorkshireman Mick loves nothing more than to travel down the M1 and beat the southern boys. And that's just what the selection did in 1998 when Sandbaggedagain (2.45) powered home to collect under a strong drive from Mick Kinane.

John Reid takes over in the saddle, which could prove a smart move since Reid is riding superbly.

The £20,000 Showcase Handicap is next on the agenda at the Berkshire track and although the north is again strongly represented my idea of the winner is the Newmarket-trained Magic Rainbow (3.15).

Michael Bell's stable is enjoying a purple patch, boding well for the chances of his sprinter, who finished a gallant runner-up to the much-improved Rudi's Pet in the corresponding event 12 months ago.

Thirsk gets underway with a tricky selling contest, the Coopers Handicap.

Local handler Kevin Ryan must be in with a great shout via Welcome Back. He ran a fair race in defeat after a long absence when fifth in a bunch finish at Beverley last week.

The Grosvenor Handicap is a tight-knit affair, despite the comparative lack of numbers.

Consistent Mickley should be thereabouts, although his lack of a decisive finishing kick could just let in the bottom-weight Gargoyle Girl (3.40) in the hands of useful 5lb claimer John McAuley.

Southwell-bound Invisible Force (1.55) appeared to be something of an unlucky loser at Beverley this week.

The three-year-old was caught napping in the stalls, giving the rest of the field a considerable head start. Once back on an even keel he absolutely flew in the final furlong, but unfortunately Rare Talent had gone clear.

Old timer Hasta La Vista (5.05) will take all the beating in the closing two-mile Apprentice Handicap.

The versatile veteran has been in good heart on turf and seems equally effective on the man-made fibresand surface at the Midlands venue.

l YESTERDAY'S headline horse Milan King repaid followers of Janus (Colin Woods) with a rewarding 10-1 success at Sedgefield.

l Jason Callaghan announced his retirement from the saddle after winning the Summer Sun Handicap Chase on Major Sponsor at Sedgefield yesterday.

It was an appropriate winner as Major Sponsor, who carries the colours of bookmaker Sean Graham, is trained by George Moore, with whom Callaghan has spent the whole of his career as a jockey.

Callaghan, 31, has ridden around 220 winners and after his colleagues in the weighing room had wished him well for the future he said: ''That's it, I wanted to go out on a winner and I have made my decision now.

''It is not a question of losing bottle. I rode in the novices' chase earlier on, and I could have gone on for another couple of years."