DIVINE SPIRIT'S prospects at Beverley received a major boost with the news that the gelding had been allotted a favourable draw in stall 12.

Despite failing to win this term the Michael Dods-trained four-year-old has been a victim of his own consistency, gradually edging back up the weights as a result of several recent placed efforts.

Probably best over a stiff five-furlongs, the predominantly uphill five-furlong track should be ideal for Divine Spirit (3.10), who was a creditable sixth in a warmish six-furlong Haydock event last Friday evening.

I doubt if the bookmakers will be taking any chances with Mark Johnston's two runners as the Middleham handler has such a superb record at the course.

Although punters won't get rich backing Lightning Affair (2.40), likely to go off an odds-on favourite for the EBF Maiden Stakes, Mark's other raider, Real Cool Cat (4.10), could at least line-up at around 3-1 or better.

Real Cool Cat is big, rangy grey filly by the top USA sire, Storm Cat, but even that heady level of pedigree hasn't prevented the ignominy of being a beaten favourite on her last two starts.

For my money it could be a case of bloodied but not bowed because she wasn't beaten far at Ripon, nor for that matter when travelling south to Newmarket on Saturday.

On both occasions Joe Fanning was in saddle, whereas when she won at Leicester the up-and-coming young apprentice rider, Greg Fairley, was aboard.

Perhaps in response to those two unexpected reverses, team Johnston have opted to re-instate Greg, who takes a precious 7lb off the selection's back in their joint bid to land the mile-and-a-quarter East Riding Handicap.

When Yarmouth-bound Hollow Jo (4.50) bagged four sprints during the 2003 season there must have been high hopes she was going to develop into a really smart filly.

Sadly, all of the dreams were dashed last year when Hollow Jo failed to add to her tally, and went downhill so fast that connections must have wondered whether she was in terminal decline.

The rot didn't stop there as the John Jenkins-trained mare flunked on her first three 2005 outings, prior to staging a mini-revival when a staying-on fourth over track and trip a week ago.

Understanding fully that Hollow Jo is now exceptionally well-handicapped on her form of old, Jenkins has decided to strike while the iron is hot, and if his inmate can continue back on an upward curve then the seven-furlong Bungle Handicap is there for the taking.

* Plans for Flashy Wings are under discussion after the filly delighted her trainer Mick Channon in a gallop at West Ilsley.

The Queen Mary Stakes winner came through her first serious workout following a mid-season break with flying colours as she quickened past three stable-mates.

Channon is set to run the daughter of Zafonic in the Sky Bet Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket on September 29 but he might opt to give her one more outing first.

He said: ''All options remain open to her including the Watership Down Stud Sales Race at Newbury (on September 17)."