Neville Bycroft only has a handful of horses, but with his small string in top form he might well come away from Carlisle with a double courtesy of Tedsdale Mac (2.55) and Efidium (3.25).

Bycroft, who trains at Malton, has done particularly well with Efidium and is now poised to land a hat-trick following back-to-back successes at Ripon and Redcar.

Both were low-grade contests - however, the five-year-old has never been in better heart and the step up in class need not be a major concern.

Another compelling reason to support Efidium in the six furlong Lexus Handicap is the presence of the talented young apprentice Suzanne France in the saddle, Suzanne has forged a formidable partnership with the selection, who incidentally has improved significantly since his customary pair of blinkers have been dispensed with.

A strong case can also be made for Tedsdale Mac after his promising reappearance at Newcastle where he finished with a rare old rattle to snatch fifth spot after being out with the washing for the first half of the contest.

Tedsdale Mac wasn't fully wound up that day so in the circumstances it was an encouraging effort. Now likely to strip that bit fitter, an each-way wager in the Viacom Classified Stakes could pay handsome dividends.

Further south at Nottingham, I am pretty sweet on the prospects of Banningham Blaze (5.05) in the Saffie Joseph Handicap over a mile-and-three-quarters.

The tall three-year-old filly is improving with every race, her latest second to Morson Boy at Pontefract being franked in no uncertain fashion when the latter bolted up at Doncaster's weekend fixture.

Banningham Blaze hails from a really smart family and almost without exception all of her close relatives have turned out to be money-spinners. Thankfully the well-bred daughter of Averti is not letting the side down and she'll already be worth a pretty penny when eventually retired to the paddocks.

There's some good sport at Hamilton's evening meeting starting with a typically tough cavalry charge for the Mitie Amateur Stakes.

Even though a high draw is normally best on the sprint track I'm still going to take a chance on Hormuz (6.15) emerging from the number six stall. Hormuz, who has served under at least four different trainers, shaped as if returning to something like his old reliable self when finishing an excellent fourth over track and trip five days ago.

Local trainer Jim Goldie loves to have a winner on his "home" course and it looks as if Earlston (7.45) has the firepower to oblige in the later Scottish Handicap over nine furlongs.

* A total of 23 horses have been left in Tuesday's Duke Of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes at York.

The Group Two sprint, over six furlongs, has attracted a high-class initial field headed by Palace House Stakes winner Needwood Blade form Bryan McMahon's yard.

Godolphin could be double-handed with both Feet So Fast and Firebreak among the confirmations, while Mark Johnston has also left in two in Royal Beacon and The Bonus King.

Owners Cheveley Park Stud have two potential runners, the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Danehurst and Michael Bell's Red Carpet.

Sprint King David Nicholls could run both Bahamian Pirate and Captain Rio, while Smokin Beau could renew rivalries with Needwood Blade for Nick Littmoden.

Other interesting confirmations include James Given's Wunders Dream, Danger Over from the Jamie Osborne yard and Jeremy Noseda's Just James.

And 13 fillies have been entered for the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes on the same day. Godolphin's Echoes In Eternity heads the likely runners along with Barry Hills' highly-regarded filly Geminiani.

Jeremy Noseda has entered Cassis and she would be stepping up in trip after disappointing on her seasonal debut in the Fred Darling Stakes when she was only ninth behind Tante Rose.

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