In recent memory few trainers have made such a lasting impression in a short space of time as Thirsk-based David Nicholls.

The former jockey, who is only in his seventh full year with a licence, has really carved a niche with his sprinters and he notched his 50th win of the year when Benzoe won at Haydock on Sunday.

Nicholls seems well on course to beat last year's total of 75 and he can take a large step closer to that target with four winners at three courses today.

At Catterick the trainer's Referendum stands out in the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery Handicap over five furlongs. Following a very creditable second to stable- mate Double Oscar the six-year-old ran better than his placing suggests from a modest draw at Newmarket last week.

My selection should get a good tow from the likes of Tuscan Dream, Mukarrab and Rude Awakening before pouncing late on. He is well drawn and is taken to beat Sotonian, who should also be suited by the way the race will unfold.

Nicholls can also be on the mark at the Richmond venue with Sir Jack in the Hondeghem Seller over six furlongs. Although he disappointed when things looked to be in his favour at Nottingham at the weekend, he has the blinkers back on and that could make the difference in this weaker race.

At Lingfield Nicholls' Bahamian Pirate is a confident choice in the Arena Leisure Handicap over six furlongs. Following wins at Carlisle and on the All-Weather at Southwell, the five-year-old ran a blinder under a penalty when second to Record Time over five furlongs at Newmarket last week.

The return to this trip will be very much in his favour and he now races from a four pound lower mark than at Newmarket. He is taken to beat Ivory Dawn, who has been in good form of late.

On the Equitrack later in the day Peter Cundell's Kennet looks an interesting runner in the Bet Direct On 0800 211 222 Classified Stakes over a mile and a quarter.

A course and distance winner in February last year, the gelding has been running respectably of late and will appreciate the return to this grade after finishing unplaced behind the progressive Octane at Sandown last time.

His up-with-the-pace style of racing is very well suited to this course and he is fancied to finish ahead of Paperweight and perpetual runner-up Queen Of The Keys.

At Doncaster's evening meeting Nicholls can round off a good day with Flak Jacket, one of two runners for the stable in the apprentice handicap over five furlongs.

Admittedly the five-year-old has shown precious little for his new handler this year but he is very well handicapped on the best of his form last term and is one to note if there's a market move in his favour.

Tim Easterby has his string in good fettle at present and his Samadilla, a ready winner at Pontefract on her debut earlier this month, is fancied to go in again in the European Breeders Fund Vyner Novice Fillies Stakes over five furlongs.

The daughter of MuJadil should have learnt plenty from that experience and she has the scope to do better. Kevin Darley takes the ride and the combination are preferred to Mark Johnston's So Divine.

l Owner Terry Herbert-Jackson is hoping Hume's Law's success in the Turnstile Maiden Auction Stakes at Beverley yesterday is a good omen for Romantic Myth's chance in the £125,000 Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury on Saturday.

Hume's Law got the better of Amelia inside the final furlong and kept going under John Carroll to hold off the fast-finishing Once Removed by a neck.

Herbert-Jackson has the winner and Romantic Myth in partnership with Terry Holdcroft and said: ''Things have been going well for us.

''Romantic Myth won the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and then Wally McArthur won at Hamilton the other week and can win again tomorrow (at Doncaster) and Rosselli was only just beaten at Chester on Saturday.

''Tim (Easterby) says Romantic Myth is in good form and we just hope she can do the business on Saturday.''

Hume's Law is trained by Alan Berry who said: ''With hindsight we should not have run him at Pontefract last time, it was really soft there and he didn't like it when he ran on that sort of ground first time out.

''We hope to win a little nursery now.''

The John Norton-trained Kagoshima defied top weight in game fashion under Ollie Pears in the 115th Year of the Watt Memorial Handicap.

The Barnsley trainer's son, also called John, said: ''This is a super horse and the jockey gave him a blinder of a ride.

''He will be entered for the Brown Jack Stakes at Ascot a week on Friday and hopefully he will get a good gallop there he is a good old-fashioned stayer.''

Apprentice Dean Mernagh certainly earned his fee on the David Barron-trained Africa who eventually won the Cattle Lines Claiming Stakes in comfortable style.

Africa threw Mernagh in the parade ring and then deposited him on the ground when they went out onto the track, but she behaved herself well in the race itself.