BOLD TIGER (2.50) heads to Yarmouth with every prospect of making his presence felt in the seven furlong Racecourse Video Services Handicap.

Having spent last season with Linda Stubbs at Malton, Bold Tiger has now moved a few miles west to the David Nicholls' Sessay stable, not far from Thirsk.

As a two-year-old the selection showed glimpses of fair form over sprint trips, including finishing third on his five furlong Redcar debut.

Immaturity was probably to blame for his inconsistency, but having had the winter to strengthen up, he could, under the shrewd stewardship of Nicholls, be a different proposition this time round.

Precisely one hour later in the Peggy Farley Memorial Handicap, David has another chance to hit the target via Plateau (3.50).

Plateau was a bitter disappointment when tipped up by the column at Southwell last Thursday, however there may have been a valid excuse seeing as the rain-sodden ground was atrocious.

By a freak of nature today's venue has escaped the wet weather endured by the rest of the UK during the past few days, resulting in Plateau now being able to operate on his favoured fast surface.

The theme of forgiving a horse for one poor run has long been promoted by this quarter, so in the circumstances the northern-trained gelding must be given at least one more opportunity to show his true colours.

The sheer fact that Mark Johnston's Winds Of Change (3.20) is joint top-weight for the Thetford Handicap demonstrates just what a weak affair it is.

Although the records book show the son of King's Best finished third at Warwick last year, he was beaten a country mile in that maiden and then finished nearer last than first on his subsequent Pontefract start.

Still, all is not lost and with Johnston's three-year-olds in such fine heart, improvement can be expected from Winds Of Change on his handicap debut in the one mile contest.

Although Clive Brittain had to wait until late in the autumn of 2005 to introduce Caribbean Pearl (4.20), the filly soon got her skates on, snapping up successive races at Newcastle and Newmarket.

Clearly far less exposed than any of her eight rivals for the near mile-and-a-half Weatherbys Printing Handicap, Brittain's Newmarket representative gets my vote for the £18,000 event.

Down at Taunton the appearance of Le Volfoni (3.10) is bound to attract considerable attention from many of the big hitters in the betting ring.

No need to remind backers that jumping is the name of the game, nonetheless some would say Le Volfoni was a desperately unlucky loser at the Cheltenham Festival because he was cruising prior to hitting the deck at the third last in the Jewson Chase.

On the flip side of the coin, at least the gelding emerged unscathed from the fall and spotting his hurdles rating of 130 is way below his 141 chase mark, handler Paul Nicholls goes for the jugular in the £20,000 Summer Time Handicap Hurdle.

Misty Dancer, who was beaten by the agonising verdict of a short-heat at Hereford last week, bids for quick compensation in the Novices Handicap Chase.

The dashing Venetia Williams trained grey was returning from a 16-week absence on that occasion, a break that ultimately probably made the difference between victory and defeat.

Sure to strip fitter for the outing, Misty Dancer will likely sustain a race-winning gallop all the way to the line on the sharp right-handed track, which is tailor-made for his 'take no prisoners' run-style.

* EMMASFLORA landed a 7-4 winning nap for supporters of Janus (Colin Woods) at Sedgefield yesterday

Get more racing online at www.racing-north.co.uk.