FAYR SKY'S improving form profile fits the bill to perfection as far as Catterick's Fillies Nursery Handicap is concerned.

John Quinn's juvenile already has a five-furlong course victory to her name, a rather surprising success as the evidence of her latest staying-on fourth at Nottingham suggests she's going to relish every inch of today's extra distance.

Royston Ffrench takes the ride on Fayr Sky (2.50), so it's fair to assume the filly will get every assistance from the saddle. Ffrench knows just about every blade of grass at the track, which is barely a stone's throw from his Richmond home.

A little bit of local knowledge doesn't normally go amiss, handing a possible advantage to Alani (3.50) in the two-mile Skyram Handicap.

Of particular help is the ability to negotiate the sharp left-handed bottom bend, around which many a race has been won and lost.

Jedd O'Keeffe's three-year-old is the only former track and trip scorer in a field of 15, invaluable previous experience that augurs well for Alani's fortunes in the relatively weak £4,000 affair.

Malton's Malcolm Jefferson is by far and away best known as a National Hunt man, but he likes to tune his jumpers up on the level, a remark that very much applies to Calatagan (4.50).

Although Calatagan's a pretty decent hurdler in his own right, he still retains sufficient speed to make his presence felt on the Flat, a point underlined by occupying the runners-up spot at York on his return from a summer in the paddocks.

It doesn't take rocket science to work out the gelding's fitness will have been significantly enhanced by that pipe-opener on the Knavesmire, a factor which along with his marginally-reduced girth measurement, should ensure a bold show in the closing Nottingham Handicap.

In terms of quality, Leicester stages the top race of the afternoon with several decent middle-distance performers lining up for the mile-and-a-half £18,000 Quorn Handicap.

Cold Climate is arguably unlucky not have to retained his unbeaten record, having been nailed bang on the line at Ayr by Isadore Bonheur. He's certain to be in the firing line, but preference is narrowly for Kerashan (4.10), who was coming back from an eight-week absence when third to Clipperdown on a visit to Lingfield.

The reason for the short holiday was quite simple as Kerashan has had his wedding tackle removed, an operation possessing the potential to get him in the mood for grafting, rather than moon around looking at the fillies.

Mexican Pete (4.00) won with impressive authority at Huntingdon in early September, prompting talented trainer Tony Carroll to wait for a similar opportunity at the same venue.

The progressive five-year-old had his rivals strung out like sausages on that occasion.

So even though he's been shunted a good few pounds up the ratings as a result, it's doubtful whether the hike will stop him completing a double in the Racing UK Handicap Hurdle

* Amberleigh House is set to make his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow on Saturday.

The 13-year-old, who gave Ginger McCain a fourth Grand National success in April 2004, will be ridden by Aintree partner Graham Lee in the betfair.com Handicap Chase over three miles.

It will be his first outing at the home of the Welsh National in what will be his 66th race over jumps.

''He's really ready for a race. He's had a racecourse gallop at both Bangor and Haydock and is full of himself,'' said McCain.

''I think Chepstow will suit him and he won't be disgraced.

''He's been back in work since the second week in July but we never lost him completely this summer. I know he's going on 14 now but I think he's retained all his enthusiasm for the game."

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