BEVERLEY-bound Grey Clouds (4.15) is something of a topical tip following the violent weekend storms which thankfully produced enough rain to ease the ground at most of the courses in the north.

But the ominous nature of the selection's name shouldn't put punters off too much because Tim Easterby's raider is shaping up like a three-year-old to keep an eye on having won in emphatic fashion at Newcastle last time out.

Grey Clouds is a big strapping filly, robust enough to perhaps one day try her luck over hurdles. Meanwhile, there is hopefully more cash to be raked in on the flat, starting with this afternoon's mile-and-a-quarter East Riding Handicap. Her main danger will most probably emerge from the likely hot favourite, Acomb, trained by Tim's uncle, Mick Easterby.

Acomb is an extremely progressive sort having won his latest race at Ponefract by five lengths, with his jockey standing up in the irons and cheekily cocking a snook at the toiling field behind. The trouble with backing Acomb surrounds the profound doubts as to whether he has the requisite amount of stamina to stay ten furlongs. His latest facile success came over a mile, however, this longer trip, plus a stiffer track represents a whole different kettle of fish.

A low draw in sprints generally means curtains at the course so John Wainwright will have been doing cartwheels when his in-form speedster Catch The Cat (3.15) drew the 15 stall from the hat.

Catch The Cat, who fluffed his lines with a tardy start last time out, is far better judged on the evidence of a blistering victory over course and distance on July 15th.

Although Mark Johnston loves nothing more than to be a player on the big stage, he also adores winning races in his beloved home country of Scotland.

It therefore comes as no surprise to see the Middleham maestro send a double-pronged attack via Takes Tutu and Marinas Charm (6.55) up to Hamilton for the richest race on the card, the £20,000 Captain Stewart Handicap.

Both ran at Glorious Goodwood, Takes Tutu finishing a decent sixth in the £100,000 William Hill Golden Mile, while Marinas Charm flopped in a lesser event.

This time the boot could be on the other foot since Takes Tutu has done most of his winning over a shorter distance, while Marinas Charm looks like a filly capable of massive improvement now that she is running for the first time over nine furlongs.

The Johnston bandwagon might stop there either because he has perfectly realistic prospects of hoovering up the final three races by virtue of the fancied newcomer Badr (7.25), six time previous winner Coolbythepool (7.55), plus the tough stayer, Spectrometer (8.25).