DEAN McKEOWN'S dismal six per cent strike-rate does not exactly inspire confidence, but at least he has an enticing opportunity to begin to redress the balance aboard Mallia (4.15) in the Game Set And Match Classified Stakes at Hamilton this afternoon.

Just 14 wins from 243 rides is precious little reward for the journeyman jockey who spends more time than most relentlessly travelling up and down the UK motorway network in search of success.

Yet to his eternal credit McKeown's enthusiasm for the game remains as fervent as ever and he wasn't far away when partnering Mallia to a meritorious second placing in well-contested seller at Thirsk last week.

With the benefit of Hamilton's stiffer uphill finish, and bearing in mind that the evergreen eight-year-old has won no less than twelve times over today's trip of six furlongs, Dean and partner look worthy of support.

Cosmic Case (2.15) is sure to be a popular choice in the opening mile-and-a-half Apprentice Handicap following his near miss at Newcastle five days ago.

The Jim Goldie-trained six-year-old was catching Admirals Place hand-over-fist in the Carlise Bell, a race far more competitive than the one he now takes part in.

In the feature event on the card, the £10,000 Showcase Handicap, Mungo Park has once again failed to come out of the hat with an advantageous double-digit draw.

His trainer, Echo Saturday columnist Michael Dods, was rightly bemoaning the bad luck that has befallen his in-form sprinter recently, pointing out Mungo Park would probably have won with a high draw on his latest start at Salisbury.

Unfortunately once more he's got it all to do coming out of the number three stall and I prefer Gorekski (3.45), a fast finishing runner-up to Blessingindisguise at the weekend.

Nigel Tinkler's grey has won off far higher handicap marks over the past five years, however a long lean spell has meant the speed merchant's rating has plunged to such a degree, he will surely be back in the winners' enclosure before long.

Cape Town (3.00) should have too much class in the Trett Consulting Stakes at Yarmouth, although I wouldn't advise taking a short price on a horse that invariably reaches the frame, but rarely wins.

A more solid betting proposition might be Face D Facts (3.30) in the seven furlong Fillies' Handicap.

She was a bitter disappointment when tried in a visor at Goodwood, an outing best forgiven since the normally consistent filly appeared to resent the headgear application.

On her previous record, Chris Wall's raider is not without a chance in an event where no-one stands ou