IF Mark Johnston is to have any chance of lifting the trainer's championship then Prince Of Light (2.40) has to win Newmarket's £170,000 Middle Park Stakes.

Current leader Aidan O'Brien will move out of reach if either of his top-class duo, Ivan Denisovitch or Art Museum, takes the spoils, but at least Johnston has pulled a surprise rabbit out of the hat with Prince Of Light.

Judging by early season results Mark's two-year-olds didn't look much cop, but they've come good over the past couple of months, none more so than the selection, unbeaten on his last three starts.

Of particular interest is Prince Of Light's most recent victory, because it was a significant step up from anything he'd previously achieved when routing his rivals to nab the Group 3 Sirenia Stakes.

One word of caution to those backers of a nervous disposition - Prince Of Light's steering tackle isn't all it should be and due to his habit of swerving violently left-handed, he's definitely not one for the faint-hearted investor.

Johnston also has a fine chance in the opening Woodford Reserve Handicap with Muzdaher (1.05), a son of Danzig, who carries the distinction of being the most expensive animal the Middleham handler has trained.

On the face of it Muzdaher's latest short-head Thirsk success doesn't appear all that great, but today's much stiffer track will play to his strengths, especially the uphill climb to the line.

As far as a potentially famous Johnston treble goes, Hearthstead Wings (4.25) cannot be ruled out of the closing Reg Day Memorial Handicap, having won so impressively on a smash-and-grad raid to Hamilton at the weekend.

When it comes to standing up and being counted for the consistency stakes, Moayed (3.50) regularly fluffs his lines.

He did, however, have one of his forward motion days six days ago when runner-up in red-hot heat at the track, form which is impossible to knock whichever way you look at it.

There are two things to note about that fiercely competitive contest. Firstly he was the subject of a major market plunge, and secondly, Moayed was stone cold last in a field of 18 at the halfway stage.

The acceleration he produced once allowed his head was nothing short of prodigious, but having given so much rope to All Ivory, who was ridden much closer to the pace, he was unable to peg back the latter where it matters the most.

Although Moayed needs to be held up, jockey Seb Sanders probably overdid the waiting tactics, and provided the gelding is more prominent this time, he could easily go one better.

Despite lively ground at Hexham, there's still a decent turn-out with Tee-Jay (3.05) seeming as if he could reward supporters in the Youngs Handicap Chase.

Micky Hammond's horses are in fine fettle, surely pointing to Tee-Jay's prospects, a previous course winner who rarely runs a bad race these days.

* Ashkal Way has been the subject of a major gamble with the sponsors for the totesport Cambridgeshire at Newmarket on Saturday.

The Brian Ellison-trained gelding is now 6-1 clear favourite after being 9-1 on Wenesday and 8-1 joint favourite with Pedrillo yesterday.

The three-year-old, drawn 15 and the mount of Kieren Fallon, was only given the go-ahead following a crucial midweek work-out with two stable companions.

His participation in the valuable nine-furlong handicap had been in doubt after he bruised a joint at Newbury this month.

Totesport spokesman Damian Walker said: ''We went 8-1 about Ashkal Way after the 48-hour declarations but were knocked over and are now 6-1.

''Ashkal Way is our worst loser in the race with Kew Green, Realism and Blue Monday also in the red column.''

A maximum field of 30 horses, plus two reserves, were declared for the first leg of the autumn double, including last year's winner Spanish Don.

He sprang one of the biggest shocks in the history of the Cambridgeshire when winning at 100-1.

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