PROGRESSIVE Pevensey (3.15) possesses the perfect profile to pick up Beverley's £50,000 totescoop6 Heritage Handicap.

It's the richest ever race run at the East Yorkshire venue and commensurate with the value has attracted some big guns from the south. But even though the likes of Sir Michael Stoute and Luca Cumani are represented, punters should not be deterred from adopting a David versus Goliath strategy by backing Pevensey, an inmate of Mark Buckley's tiny ten-horse yard located in Lincolnshire.

Following a series of near misses, the jungle drums began to beat in earnest at York last month and when the money was down Pevensey made no mistake, collecting in fine style plus landing a substantial gamble in the process.

It's entirely possible that Buckley's four-year-old has improved again since that victory and the only downside is his lousy draw in gate two. At least Pevensey prefers to come late, hold-up tactics which jockey Royston Ffrench will be forced to execute from his wide stall position.

As its' name suggests the preceding Beverley Bullet is a test of sheer speed over the minimum trip.

Last year's shock 40-1 scorer, Chookie Heaton, returns to defend his crown, however it is to Mecca's Mate (2.45) we turn in order to retrieve losses incurred when flopping in the Stewards' Cup at Glorious Goodwood.

David Barker's filly had a valid excuse for failing to justify the nap selection on the Sussex Downs since all the action took place on the far side, whereas she had to plough a relatively lone furrow beside the unfavoured stands' rail.

Down at Chester several horses seen in action at York's Ebor meeting make a swift reappearance.

One example is Most Definitely, who might as well have stayed in his box at Tim Easterby's stable such was the farcical nature of the slowly run mile-and-a-half event in which he competed.

Middle-distance or staying races where there's no early gallop drive trainers and punters absolutely lulu, and quite why jockeys allow it to happen is nothing short of astonishing - no wonder pacemakers are used in virtually all Grand Prix fixtures on the European athletics circuit.

Two things persuade me to recommend betting on Most Definitely (2.05) in the opening Blue Square Handicap. Firstly, Jagger is a confirmed front-runner and is almost sure to go off like a bat out of hell thus insuring a truly run affair. And secondly, Most Definitely wasn't knocked about once his chance had gone at the Knavesmire on Tuesday, a kid gloves approach that may well reap its ultimate reward this afternoon.

In the later Heritage Handicap, Spirit Of France (3.10) should by all accounts benefit from being stepped up in distance.

Supporters of Spirit Of France in last Saturday's six furlong Great St Wilfred Handicap at Ripon soon knew their fate as the gelding fell out of the traps and languished in rear for most of the way.

Mark Johnston's raider finally found top gear and flew like a Formula One car in the final furlong, but it was all to no avail as the leaders had long gone, together with any investments on Spirit Of France.

It's never a nice feeling kissing goodbye to hard-earned cash, however at least connections have taken their medicine and opted to bump him up a furlong-and-half, an obvious ploy which I anticipate will allow bank balances to be restored to former levels.

The rain came down like stair rods at Sandown yesterday and with every drop that fell Prince Namid's (4.00) prospects improved hand over fist.

Ann Duffield's sprinter has been banging his head against a brick wall so far this term on predominately fast surfaces, thankfully though that's now all changed and he looks the one they have to beat in the five-furlong Fantasia Ceiling Handicap.

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