KEVIN DARLEY'S prospects of retaining his champion jockeys' title are now pretty slim, but given the sort of ammunition he's got at Redcar this afternoon he will make table-topper Kieren Fallon go all the way to the wire.

Darley's good day should begin with Double Blade (1.10) in the Sports Daily Claiming Stakes.

Local handler Mary Reveley's vast army of fans will all be backing this handsome son of Kris, who on the Official Ratings has a clear cut chance against some fairly motley opponents.

Jeremy Glover also has a decent record at the course and he was not slow to enlist Darley's services for the in-form Mantles Pride (1.45), poised to land a hat-trick in the SIS Handicap.

Mantles Pride edged out Kayo in a 29-runner event at Newmarket last time, the latter then emphatically franking the form by winning a £10,000 Showcase race at York.

Kevin's next ride, Eastern Image (2.55), appears to be the proverbial penalty kick in the seven furlong Sislink Stakes.

John Dunlop's raider won by no less than eight lengths at Pontefract and looks nothing more than a steering job provided he reproduces that impressive level of performance.

I think Darley will also be in business aboard Gerard Butler's Belle Of The Manor (3.30) and Beauchamp Pilot (4.05) in the closing two races respectively.

Of the pair, Beauchamp Pilot's prospects are particularly rosy, having smashed up a decent field in a highly-competitive heat at Haydock last month.

Sandwiched inbetween that lot, Kevin might just accept a secondary role on Shatin Princess, not certain to have the firepower to cope with Night Shift Blue's (2.20) in the Racing Channel Nursery.

The tried and tested system of backing top-weights in nurseries is again put under the spotlight, Night Shift Blue's having earned the right to shoulder 9st 7lbs with a succession of gutsy efforts against some talented opponents.

Just as I believe Darley is the man to follow at Redcar, Darryll Holland could be in for an equally successful foray to Nottingham.

Darryll shouldn't waste any time by getting off the mark in the opener via Acorazado (12.50).

The Sean Woods-trained colt made a more than satisfactory debut at York, finishing third to Pic Up Sticks over six furlongs. The selection tired appreciably in the final furlong and so the switchback to the minimum trip makes perfect sense.

Later on Holland partners Be Decisive (2.30) for his guv'nor, Newmarket doyen, Geoff Wragg.

Although the contest Be Decisive won over course and distance this month appeared to be rather an egg-and-spoon affair, I think there is bags more to come from the late-developing three-year-old.

Premier Ambitions' (4.15) claims in the finale over ten furlongs are not obvious at first sight.

But Willie Haggas isn't one to persevere with bad horses and on his fourth to Red River Rebel at Newcastle, plus a big drop in the weights and Holland's invaluable assistance in the saddle, Premier Ambitions must have a squeak in this weak event.

Cheltenham's season of top-class National Hunt meetings gets away to an exciting start with more than enough action to keep jumping pundits happy.

Ferdy Murphy doesn't often leave Prestbury Park empty-handed and I recommend close inspection of both Woodfield Gale (3.15) and Weymss Quest (4.25).

l Lingfield's meeting on Thursday is subject to a precautionary inspection.

Clerk of the course Chris Stickels confirmed that there are false patches of ground on the track, which would need to dry out.

But the weather forecast is giving hope to Stickels, who said: ''We need it to stay dry if the waterlogged areas are to disappear but the forecast is hopeful.