DAVID NICHOLLS can make the long haul from Thirsk to Goodwood pay by bagging the two-miler with Double Obsession (2.40) at the picturesque Sussex venue.

When in the care of Mark Johnston, Double Obsession recorded a notable Royal meeting triumph in the 2004 Ascot Stakes, but his glory days were short-lived after sustaining an injury and being sidelined for the whole of last season.

As well as leaving Johnston's Kingsley House stronghold, the selection has dropped a handy 13lbs in the ratings, a fall from grace which helped him show a welcome return to form when third at Thirsk last time out.

It does seem as if Dandy has nursed the once-useful stayer back to full health, which in the case Double Obsession means he must be regarded as a leading player for the £13,000 International Bureau Aviation Stakes.

Nicholls could complete a double if Trinculo (5.30) manages to follow up his recent York win.

"He's a very happy horse at the moment," declared Dandy to the TV cameras immediately after the nine-year-old had stormed to success over six furlongs on the Knavesmire.

I'm not so sure local punters were quite so cheerful as the 16-1 outsider crossed the finishing line to near silence, nonetheless the gelding is clearly in cracking heart and one for the short-list in the Flying School Handicap.

For the nap vote we go to Kelso where Reivers Moon (4.45) holds solid claims in the Borders Festival Of The Horse Handicap.

Reivers Moon has only been seen out twice during the past 12 months - both times making the frame despite her trainer's illogical tactics of running over a distance well short of her optimum.

Now returning to a far stiffer and more suitable test of stamina in the two-and-three-quarter-mile contest, she'll likely be a radically different proposition.

Sedgefield's evening card kicks off with a competitive seller in which Loblite Leader looks capable of defying an absence from action of over two years.

In-form Alan Swinbank wouldn't have kept him going if he thought it was curtains as far as the gelding's career was concerned, a point reflected by the fact the handicapper still believes Loblite Leader to be the best horse in the line-up.

The Bet Exchange Handicap Hurdle presents Dunguaire Lady (7.15) with the ideal opportunity to make up for an unlucky incident at Aintree last Friday.

Kate Walton's Middleham-trained mare was making significant headway after the eighth flight of hurdles, only to slip and totally lose what was a promising position.

Although she lost all chance with that unfortunate mishap, to her eternal credit Dunguaire Lady regained momentum and rallied to such good effect that she managed to stay on and eventually nab third spot.

Rider Richard McGrath will doubtless be hoping the selection can keep a better foothold, because his partner will not find many weaker races than tonight's relatively tame affair.

Maverick Scottish handler Dick Allan has found an equally facile chance for Bollin Thomas (7.45) to improve on already impressive track record by taking the two-mile-and-one-furlong Novices' Hurdle.

Tony Dobbin's mount notched a cosy course and distance success 23 days ago, a victory which will have done his confidence the world of good following a string of near-misses over the sticks.

* Ed Dunlop's globetrotting mare Ouija Board will continue her preparation for the Vodafone Coronation Cup when she works this morning.

The five-year-old was last seen finishing an unlucky third in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin in Hong Kong.

"She works on Wednesday, hopefully the rain stays away and then all roads lead to Epsom," said Dunlop. "We'll see how she handles Epsom and if she misses that for any reason she is in at Royal Ascot.

"She could run in the Hardwicke Stakes, but she will have a Group One penalty."