PROMISING young apprentice jockey Suzzanne France has the chance to showcase her skills aboard Kudbeme (4.20) at Redcar this afternoon.

France, who was seen to good effect booting home Dium Mac at Newcastle last week, partners the four-year-old filly for her boss, Malton-based trainer, Neville Bycroft.

Although Kudbeme is effective at one-mile, seven furlongs is her optimum trip, a point proved in clear-cut fashion when romping to a four-length York victory in July 2005.

The handicapper took exception to the emphatic nature of that triumph, cruelly bumping Bycroft's inmate up 10lbs, a vicious hike she simply couldn't cope with for the remainder of the year.

Kudbeme has now been dropped a couple of pounds for the start of the current campaign, which combined with France's invaluable 7lbs allowance, make them a tempting each-way bet for the Fillies' Handicap.

Look out for any significant market moves concerning Gold Spirit in the opening Middlesbrough Super Casino Bid Maiden Stakes.

Gold Spirit hails from a yard fully capable of collecting first time out with their two-year-olds, but in the absence of any concrete public form for Ricky Mullen's mount, Startolini (2.20) gets the nod.

Bryan Smart's youngster was purchased for a mere 3,200 guineas, however that bargain-basement price tag didn't stop the daughter of Bertollini finishing a close-up third on her Pontefract debut.

It would be flying in the face of tradition if Startolini didn't come on in leaps and bounds for what was a highly encouraging introduction, natural improvement that should ensure another bold showing.

In view of the fact Michael Dods has his horses in such prime fettle, Mister Maq (3.20) could take a hand in the outcome of the mile-and-and-a-quarter Handicap.

Mister Maq, who never troubled the leaders when fifth on his Newcastle comeback has stacks of speed in his pedigree, yet in all probability will be suited by the step up to ten furlongs.

John Gosden's Christmas Player (4.10) shoulders the nap selection at Wolverhampton, the venue of her sole success to date.

Connections seemingly didn't fancy Christmas Player on her most recent visit to the track, when winning in a common canter despite being allowed to go off at the rewarding odds of 7-1.

Gosden's raider will more likely be a 7-4 shot for the Gleeson Building Fillies Handicap, a race in which she has most to fear from the William Haggas-trained Emilion, not knocked about when fourth at Beverley in April.

Towcester stages the day's only jumping action where the exceedingly well-handicapped Haditovski (7.20) looks the best bet of the evening in the Volkswagen Handicap Hurdle.

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