LEADING conditional jockey Jim Crowley takes another vital step forward on the comeback trail at Sedgefield today aboard Milan King (2.20) in the opening Summer Time Handicap Hurdle.

After a brilliant start to last season, when he could hardly put a foot wrong, Crowley's relentless progress was cruelly curtailed by a collarbone fracture.

Now back and in full swing, his booking for previous track and trip winner Milan King looks highly significant in a contest which in all probability will not take much winning.

The main danger is probably Mary Reveley's Flaxen Pride, successful in a novice event at the course seven days ago. However, the in-form mare is now taking a significant step up in class, whereas the selection is already proven in this grade.

Fast ground has inevitably kept numbers on the low side, not that a quick surface will worry Thrashing (2.55) in the following Summer Racing Novices' Hurdle.

John O'Shea's five-year-old showed much improved form to chase home a Martin Pipe hot-pot at Newton Abbot last time out.

Evergreen nine-year-old Glenugie (4.00) continues his love affair with the track in the Summer Holiday Handicap Hurdle, an event he won 12 months ago.

George Moore's Middleham stalwart has won countless times at the popular county Durham venue, including a battling victory at last week's meeting.

Moore also runs Major Sponsor in the two-mile Handicap Chase. He's been off for nearly four months and is likely to need the outing, so preference is for Amlwch (4.00).

Rising star-of-the-saddle Wilson Renwick partners Alan Berry's bold-jumping six-year-old, a creditable runner-up to Damus at Wolverhampton this month.

The feature race at Sandown, the Listed Milcars Star Stakes, brings together some very talented two-year-olds.

There could easily be a classic contender for next year among them and I particularly liked the manner in which Hotelgenie Dot Com (3.15) overcame inexperience to collect on her debut.

Mick Channon's filly didn't come cheap at 180,000 guineas, but a brief breeze through her pedigree accounts for that heady price tag since she is a half-sister to the Group winner Bianca Nera.

Channon and his newly-acquired Australian jockey Craig Williams could well be set for a profitable afternoon at the Esher track as the partnership have three other live opportunities via Extra Guest (2.10), Hunting Tiger (2.45) and Makasseb (3.50).

At Bath, a speculative wager on Faith Again (3.05) might bring substantial reward.

Andy Streeter's filly won three over jumps late last year and was still pulling ten London buses when capsizing three out in a handicap hurdle at Worcester recently.

With no obstacles to negotiate, she might be a well-weighted individual back on the level.

l Mark Johnston will delay as long as possible before making a decision over the participation of Fruits of Love in Saturday's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.

The five-year-old's chances of taking part in the Ascot showpiece were thrown into doubt when he sustained a leg injury last weekend.

Johnston must make a decision before the declaration deadline today for the main all-aged event of the summer.

l Agreement has not been reached on the last full Levy Scheme, the Horserace Betting Levy Board announced yesterday.

The Levy Board was unable to accept the recommendations of the Bookmakers' Committee for the 40th Levy Scheme, which will run from April 1 2001 to March 31 2002.

The statutory deadline for agreement between the two parties is October 31 and if no agreement is reached the matter will be referred to Home Secretary Jack Straw for determination on November 1.

However, it is hoped the matter will be settled in time for the next Levy Board meeting on September 20 and that because of the early start to proceedings, a repetition of the controversy that dogged the 39th scheme last year can be avoided