Storyteller hoping for fairytale ending

The omens certainly appear to be set fair for the Michael Dods' trained six-year-old, who is close to concert pitch if his recent third to Henry Hall at York is anything to go by.

Storyteller finished a gallant runner-up to Rudi's Pet in the last year's race, form which subsequently proved to be exceptional since the latter went on to claim a Group 3 contest at Glorious Goodwood.

Considering the selection now races off a mark 5lbs lower than in 1999, he must surely have an outstanding chance of going one better this time round.

One of Australia's leading jockeys, Craig Williams, is currently trying his luck in the UK.

After a sluggish start, Williams has really started to catch the eye with a string of stylish performances. He has a gilt-edged opportunity to impress the Geordie crowd aboard the ultra-consistent Joint Instruction (8.30) in the Dickinson Dees Selling Stakes.

Earlier in the day at Newmarket, Norton (3.30) could prove to be the value bet in the Orwell Rated Stakes.

He might not quite have got home when third over twelve furlongs at Haydock. Now dropped back to a mile-and-a-quarter, the Epsom trained three-year-old has bright prospects of opening his account for the season.

In the following Horsesmouth Handicap, Jodeeka (4.00) is fancied to bounce back from a dismal display at Windsor.

She was heavily backed when failing to justify favouritism at the last-named venue, failing to fire on that occasion. Perhaps the filly is better judged on her previous run at Doncaster where she finished like a rocket, overcoming both a slow start and bad draw to win.

Further south at Folkestone patience might be the key to a profitable afternoon because my advice is to wait until the final race, the Lookout Restaurant Fillies' Handicap, before taking the plunge on May Queen Megan (4.50).

It's a fact that the mare doesn't win very often, however this is an extremely poor event, and she did give plenty of encouragement on her reappearance at Leicester.

Any further rain at Goodwood would help Little Amin's (7.10) cause no end. Although he goes on top-of-the-ground, a soft surface is vastly preferable for Willie Muir's runner.

l My Hansel made the most of favourable race conditions and a lack of opposition to take the richly-endowed European Breeders Fund Conditions Stakes at Newcastle yesterday.

The filly recaptured her sparkle to defeat three rivals in the £25,000-added event, the feature race on the opening day of Newcastle's Northumberland Plate meeting.

Ben Hanbury's charge made the most of a 10lb weight pull to take care of Hypnotize.

The 4-1 chance made all under John Reid and found a little extra in the closing stages to score by three-quarters of a length.

My Hansel, a winner on her debut last season, had disappointed in the Musidora Stakes at York on her return to action.

''She pulled the jockey's arms out at York so I told John to make all today,'' said Hanbury.

''She hated the cold spring and it's taken a long time for her to come to herself. I thought she would be a Guineas and Oaks filly.

''I'm thrilled that she's won as she's a half-sister to one of my favourite horses Ramooz. She'll be going for Listed and Group Three fillies' races now.''

The race, run for the Newcastle Gold Cup, which had just five runners last year, could be in line for a shake up.

Sam Shepherd, chief of executive of the EBF who sponsor the contest with Fenwick, said: ''It's a great pity that we again haven't got a decent field.

''The quality is there but it's no good for punters having a small field. We will look at changing the conditions to try to get more runners.''

The disappointing fields did not deter Newcastle United manager Bobby Robson who enjoyed a relaxing day at Gosforth Park.

Five of the race names had a Newcastle United theme - and the football club sponsored three contests.

''It's a great day out and it helps things along when you manage to back a winner as I have done,'' said Robson, who tipped France to win Euro 2000.

The former England manager has followed other big football names such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Kevin Keegan in taking an interest in the turf.

He has acquired a hurdler Radar, trained by Charlie Mann, who was the last ride of Brendan Powell when finishing second at Hereford recently.

''I never really got into racing when I was at Ipswich even though we were close to Newmarket,'' said Robson. ''It's only since I came to Newcastle that I've started to get an interest."

l Richard Price left it desperately late to enter Court Shareef for the UCB Films Cumberland Plate but the decision paid off as the gelding landed the spoils in fine style at Carlisle yesterday.

He produced a fine turn of foot for Michael Fenton to lead approaching the final furlong and easily saw off Octane to score by three lengths.

The Tote Ebor at York in August is now a likely target.

Court Shareef was defying a 5lb penalty for a win at Goodwood on Friday, and when asked if he was concerned about today's race coming a bit quick, Price joked: ''I was more worried about finding Carlisle, there were no signs on the motorway!''

''I was looking through the programme book and it was five minutes before the entries closed when I saw that there would be nothing for him next week.

''So as he had come out of the Goodwood race well I thought we might as well go for this one."

Northern Echo finished third out of eight runners in the 2.30 Cat, Egremont, Median Auction Maiden Stakes