SEA AIR seems to suit Young Bigwig (4.25), poised to record back-to-back success's in the Tote Scoop6 Handicap dash at Redcar this afternoon.

Twelve months ago David Chapman's seasoned campaigner flexed his sprint muscles to winning effect, kicking sand in the faces of some useful rivals as he scooted clear in the closing stages.

Young Bigwig is actually a few pounds lower in the weights this time round, comes into the contest in reasonable form, having finished fourth at Southwell eight days ago, and even more importantly has his favoured fast ground.

In the preceding two events, both Stolen Music (3.20) and Colway Ritz (3.55) also bid to win their respective races for the second year in succession.

Ronnie Barr, responsible for Stolen Music, had a 12-1 winner at the venue yesterday via Toejam, while Wilf Storey's Colway Ritz couldn't be in better heart having won a shade cleverly at Ripon on Wednesday evening.

Provided they don't dawdle from the gate, Fisher Island (5.30) might just be capable of springing a surprise.

I noted her making late headway here on the straight-mile last time out. With only a light weight to carry, plus another 220 yards to travel, she could be the one to send backers home happy.

Although the "Royal" prefix is missing from the meeting at Ascot, there is still some hefty prize money to be plundered, starting with the £25,000 Listed Fern Hill Stakes.

Rosse (2.00) earned her place in the line-up with a dazzling display of acceleration at Yarmouth, where she left the opposition for dead inside the final two furlongs.

Much more is required in this heady company, but veteran Newmarket handler Geoff Wragg, admired universally throughout his profession, is not one to expose his inmates unless confident they will handle the extra pressure.

Alan Berry's stable had been going through a lean spell when Ansellad (2.30) could only finish ninth on his reappearance on an unsuitably soft surface at Lingfield.

He was a fairly speedy juvenile and I can see him bouncing right back to his best in the Palan Handicap now the yard have hit a winning streak.

It will come as little surprise should Little Amin (3.35) dictate affairs in the Ladbroke-sponsored Showcase Handicap.

Willie Muir's versatile four-year-old is effective at all distances between a mile to a mile-and-a-half. He was not extended to score over eight furlongs at Beverley, although today's ten-furlong trip is possibly his optimum trip.

Top-weight Temple Way (5.15) has strong claims in the closing two-mile Betterware Handicap.

Having reviewed the videotape of his outing at Salisbury, when touched off by Afterjacko, I reckon he was unlucky, having appeared to leap over some sort of small object quite near the finish.

Not too many runners to get excited about at Ayr, where smallish fields dominate a disappointing card.

Well-bred newcomer Take To Task (2.05) has his name written all over the opening EBF Maiden Stakes.

The Bonusprint Handicap at least offers punters something to get their teeth into with a number of potentially well-treated sorts involved in a fascinating seven-furlong contest.

Jeffrey Anotherred took the spoils in 1999, however he doesn't appear to be in great shape at present, so preference is for Peacock Alley (3.10), a fast-improving three-year-old filly by Salse.

Pop The Cork (4.10), off the mark at Musselburgh on Monday, looks poised for a quick double in the Tripleprint Handicap.

Chris Grant, who had his first winner on the flat at Ripon this week, switches to his more normal modus operandi over the sticks with Sikander A Azam (2.50) at Market Rasen.

The selection acts well on the course and did nothing wrong when scoring with any amount in hand at Cartmel in May.

Two of this column's old favourite's, Figawin and Milan King (4.30), clash in the Cobelfret Handicap Hurdle.

On this occasion the latter gets the nod having run a cracker to chase home In Good Faith at Hexham.