PRINCESS TAYLOR (2.50) looks a much safer bet than an investment on the tumbling global money-markets.

Instead of going over the cliff with other beleaguered stock market players, a small wager on the Newcastle nap selection could provide some light relief and help pay the afternoon's expenses.

Marco Botti's daughter of the former Japan Cup hero, Singspiel, so nearly shed her maiden tag when pipped by a matter of inches at Yarmouth eight days ago.

Judged on the evidence of that cracking effort it's only a matter of time before Princess Taylor gets off the mark, hopefully for readers of the column in the Lumsden And Carroll Fillies' Handicap.

Even though Musca (4.00) has yet to shift into top gear for new trainer John Wade, the Northumbrian Water Handicap presents a perfectly acceptable each-way opportunity.

The likes of Passion Fruit and Balakiref are dangerous opponents given their obvious well-being, nonetheless Musca's York third-placing in May is extremely persuasive form.

Although Doncaster re-opens following a major refurbishment, the course management anticipate a few teething problems before things settle down to business as normal.

With luck the action out on the track won't be affected, especially as the two-and-a-quarter-mile Heritage Handicap carries a cracking first prize of £31,160.

Any unfortunate punter siding with Golden Quest (4.45) at the Shergar Cup meeting might just as well have gone to the bar, such was the farcical nature of the race.

I can't remember a two-miler being run at such funereal pace, and just to add insult to injury, Golden Quest's jockey, Kevin Manning, carelessly dropped his whip during the closing stages.

Smoke was probably pouring out of Mark Johnston's ears after that comedy of errors, a scenario not likely to be repeated with rider Greg Fairley.

Another Middleham-based horse with a decent chance of bringing the booty back to North Yorkshire is Granston (3.05), who didn't get the rub of the green when beaten by Webbow at Thirsk.

The two cross swords once again in the ISG Handicap, with Granston fancied to get revenge provided he doesn't encounter too many traffic problems in the crowded 20-runner line up.

The Durham Cheshire Home Nursery is the feature event at Catterick's evening fixture, a contest which Choisette (6.40) is fancied shrug off her 6lbs penalty with ease.