DAVID CHAPMAN, a legend in his own lifetime when it comes to handling five and six-furlong horses, has a chance to step back into the limelight at York this afternoon, courtesy of his super-speedy gelding Sharp Hat in the £30,000 Coral Eurobet Sprint Trophy.

Based not far from the city at Stillington, near Easingwold, David has been somewhat overshadowed in recent seasons by the exploits of near neighbour and fellow "sprint king" Dandy Nicholls.

But who could forget the past glories of multiple scorers such as Soba, Chaplins Club and Glencroft, all of whom were fabulous money-spinners under the stewardship of Chapman during the eighties and nineties.

Sharp Hat (4.15) has also been a prolific winner for the stable, achieving his latest success in a hugely-competitive race at Newcastle ten days ago.

Once these types of speed merchants hit tip-top form they are normally worth following, so an each-way investment on Sharp Hat in the 23-runner event is advised.

In the earlier Coldstream Guards Handicap, the emphasis is much more on stamina bearing in mind the race is run over one-and-three-quarter miles.

It's a wide-open heat and I am therefore hoping for a double-digit starting price about the nap selection, Xellance (2.40).

The winner of eight races last term, Xellance will feature among many punters' short-list, although the fact that he's been "off-games" for 394 days will, hopefully, deter some of the big hitters from getting stuck in.

The Listed Rockingham Stakes is a cracking juvenile heat headed by last week's Redcar two-year-old Trophy hero, Captain Rio (3.10), who scooped a mind-boggling pot of £105,908 for his connections.

Richard Whitaker's son of Pivotal possesses an enviable turn of foot and might well complete a famous double provided he has recovered from his recent exertions.

Ascot's seven-race card is of an equally high standard, opening with the Tom McGee Autumn Stakes.

The one-mile juvenile contest is host to three unbeaten individuals, Al Moughazel, Assaaf and Michael Jarvis's Coshocton (2.00).

The latter created an extremely favourable impression when making a winning debut on the Knavesmire over seven furlongs in September. Neither was the victory unexpected, since there were boat-loads of cash for the colt in the betting ring beforehand.

Sired by the influential middle-distance stallion, Silver Hawk, Coshocton should have no bother coping with the soft ground nor today's extra furlong.

Michael Doyle is an apprentice jockey with a promising future provided he keeps his feet on the ground.

He's picked up a juicy spare ride in the shape of Peruvian Chief (3.35) for the £30,000 Showcase Handicap. Trainer Nick Littmoden has not had a season to write home about, however, better late than never and his string have been staging a mini-revival over the past fortnight.

Peruvian Chief nearly got his head in front at Newmarket last week, only to be agonisingly edged out by the on-fire five-year-old mare Swynford Welcome. After that brave effort, both he and Littmoden deserve a change of luck.

Tim Easterby's Hot Tin Roof (4.05) simply didn't have the pace to trouble the leaders at the course in the Group 2 Diadem Stakes over six furlongs a fortnight ago.

The Great Habton-based mare is almost certainly more effective over today's extra furlong in the Listed October Stakes, an event in which her official rating suggests she will be too good for her exclusively southern opposition.

An undisputed master of his trade, Timmy Murphy heads off with his saddle to Bangor, where I fancy he'll partner Welsh Lad (2.55) to victory in the Thelwall Memorial Novices' Chase.

David Gandolfo's nine-year-old put in a clear round over Ascot's stiff fences in a fruitful millennium campaign, as well as taking a sizeable chunk of prize money away from Exeter having collected a decent handicap hurdle there.

The finish of extended three-mile Stanley Racing Handicap Chase may well concern just two horses, The Major and Shardante (4.30).

Despite Mary Reveley's stable being virtually unstoppable at present, I still marginally prefer Malcolm Jefferson's Shardante, who has the benefit of track experience, having prevailed at the course in the past.

And so to Southwell, where Northern Echo (3.45) valiantly attempts to break his duck over hurdles in the Selling Handicap Hurdle.

It ain't by any stretch of the imagination the greatest race in the world, but the field does contain one proven performer, Willow Run, ironically a 5-2 winning nap for this column at Sedgefield on Monday.

The latter was inclined to get rather low at one or two or his hurdles that day, mistakes which if he repeats will not be forgiven over Southwell's demanding continental-style obstacles.

* Racing resumed at Carlisle yesterday after being mothballed for nine months due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak and the locals soon had plenty to cheer about again as Nicky Richards's Indian Venture showed the way home in the opening Polyflor Contract Vinyl Novices' Hurdle.

The crowd of 2000 was up 500 on last year.