TRAIL-BLAZING Tommy Smith (4.25) is going to take some pegging back in the £14,000 five furlong Blacks People For Property Handicap at York.

It was noticeable that jockey Darren Williams experienced difficulty in pulling up Tommy Smith on Monday evening at Pontefract, after his mount had slaughtered a useful-looking field with imperious ease.

John Wainwright's sprinter has shown in the past that he is well worth following once he hits a rich vein of form - and from a punting perspective there could be plenty more to come from the lightning fast six-year-old over the next few weeks.

Much earlier on in proceedings, I have a hunch that the Star Member (2.15) is the one to be on in the opening Colliergate Rated Stakes.

Superform's speed figures suggest Star Member, who scored over course and distance at the May meeting, actually improved in defeat at Ascot three weeks ago.

And that's not all since the Alan Jarvis-trained five-year-old is scheduled to be partnered by top Australian pilot, Kerrin McEvoy, a jockey with cool head to go with his strength-in-the-saddle.

Racing North ten-to-follow pick, Steel Blue (3.15), is doing us proud with a brace of wins at the juicy odds of 16's and 10-1.

Although Richard Whitaker's flying four-year-old failed to contain the late burst of Traytonic when second at Haydock, he still finished a monster five-lengths clear of the third horse home, Tedburrow - quite a feat in a six-furlong race.

Much no doubt to Whitaker's chagrin, Steel Blue is rocketing up the weights, but he still has youth on his side and there is a real possibility that the four-year-old remains on a sharp upward curve to be able to land the SportingOptions Handicap.

The same company sponsor the closing Maiden Auction Stakes, an event which has been spiced up significantly by the entry of Negas (5.00), a son of Titus Livius, related to three successful juveniles and from the high-class family of Flame Of Tara.

Howard Johnson, responsible for Negas, introduced a very smart two-year-old, Abraxas Antelope, at Hamilton 48 hours ago. The shrewd Crook-based handler now has a decent yardstick by which to judge his team of youngsters and if there are any market moves for Negas, then it may prove folly to do anything other than join in the gamble.

Hughie Morrison's runners often need a racecourse spin to achieve maximum fitness, so the fact Kythia ran with such promise on her return at Bath offers plenty of encouragement in the Royal Star & Garter Fillies Handicap at Sandown.

Kythia (4.50), already a winner Beverley over seven furlongs in the autumn of 2003, is bred to make up into a decent middle-distance three-year-old. Her heart is also in the right place and should rider Steve Drowne need to resort to full throttle come the final furlong, I'm sure she's going to give her all.

It's quality rather than quantity on offer at Chepstow, but that's no disincentive to try make a few bob by backing Rileys Dream (7.35) in the seven furlong Skybet Claiming Stakes.

It wasn't much of a race that Rileys Dream picked up at Leicester last time out, but that contest was over a furlong shorter and given this evening's longer distance, there's definite scope for improvement.

The amazing 13-year-old multiple winner, Astrac, tries to win the win the race run in his honour at 7.10.

I don't think the old boy is quite up to task, especially with the presence of Goodenough Mover (8.10) in the field. Jeff King's raider goes exceptionally well for the bright young talent, Hayley Turner, who gave the selection a superb tactical ride when they made all to collect at Salisbury in May.

Finally to Goodwood where Sunny Lady (7.55) is a solid choice to break her duck in the Sally Miller Maiden Handicap.

John Dunlop's representative came within inches of overhauling Sir Michael Stoute's Talwandi at Brighton, a performance which gives her an excellent chance in a relatively weak affair.

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