LEADING lady rider Kim Tinkler is expected to kick off proceedings at Redcar this afternoon with a winner via Infidelity (2.30).

Infidelity made a most encouraging debut at Ayr 11 days ago, finishing in third spot to Mark Johnston's hotpot Think Tank.

On paper at least that contest was far more competitive than this afternoon's Magnum Selling Stakes, a race which should fall well within Infidelity's remit considering she is taking a monumental drop in class for the low-grade seven furlong affair.

Apart from Summer Shades, none of the fillies engaged in the Anderson Barrowcliff Handicap are particularly consistent - a surprise result could be on the cards.

Summer Shades managed to win over course and distance last season, but she's been whacked up 12lbs in the ratings as a result and appears to have a stiff task.

Another likely to feature prominently in the betting is Forest Prize, who, having been given some relief by the Official Handicapper, will probably go off favourite, especially as Kevin Darley has been booked to ride Time Easterby's four-year-old.

Both are entitled to consideration, although at potentially much longer odds the one I prefer is Joe Fanning's mount, Nellie Melba (3.30).

She ran well for Joe when fourth at Leicester last month, only to apparently disappoint when finishing in amongst the also-rans at Thirsk recently. Closer study of the videotape from Thirsk reveals Nellie Melba had to use far too much petrol early doors to overcome a wide draw and after briefly hitting the front two furlongs out she was soon back-pedalling.

There'll be no such disadvantage on Redcar's straight track and I reckon Nellie Melba might have too much toe for some arguably either one-paced or badly handicapped rivals.

The mile-and-two-furlong course favours front-runners on account of the relatively sharp home turn where many a race is won and lost as contestants are thrown wide and as a consequence lose vital ground and momentum.

Tim Etherington's Ro Eridani (5.00) raced prominently throughout when runner-up at Carlisle recently and has a fair chance provided she repeats those tactics emerging from stall eight.

Ro Erodani is a well-made filly with scope to improve and jockey John McAuley will surely boot his charge into an early lead from flag fall trying to use her proven stamina to draw the sting out of the opposition.

There's a weird case of dj vu at Salisbury where Kingcross (3.15) is on precisely the same mark (77), plus has been drawn in exactly the same stall (4), as he was for the six furlong Showcase Handicap 12 months ago.

For some unknown reason (he's never done it before or since) Kingcross refused to enter the stalls and had to be withdrawn on that occasion.

With no repeat of those antics anticipated this time round, Kingscross, who has run with credit on both of his last two outings, is fancied to wipe the slate clean and take the £14,000 sprint.

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