PITY those poor souls who backed Distant Prospect in the Chester Cup a fortnight ago when jockey Martin Dwyer found every blind alley going during the race.

Clearly trainer Ian Balding didn't take too badly to Dwyer's duff tactics since he gives the normally reliable lightweight pilot the opportunity to atone this afternoon in the £50,000 mile-and-six-furlong Bonusprint-sponsored Showcase Handicap at Goodwood.

Distant Prospect's (3.40) woes at Chester were caused principally by Dwyer's persistence in going for non-existent gaps. In essence the combination were caught in more traffic jams than a bad day on a Bank Holiday up the A1.

Balding's improving young stayer is far better judged on the sparkling three-timer he reeled off at the end of last term, form he has more of a chance of reproducing at Goodwood's wide-open galloping track.

Only five turn up for the earlier Listed Badger Brewery Festival Stakes, nevertheless it's still a fascinating contest.

Richard Hannon runs both Gold Academy and Blue Gold, but I just prefer Frankie Dettori's mount, Nooshman (2.30), a proven track and trip performer.

Centrepiece of a busy card at Newcastle is the Great North Road Handicap over two miles.

Len Lungo's Ebinzayd won three times over hurdles during the winter so is bound to attract support, along with Lucky Judge, the subject of a successful gamble from 25s to 12-1 when scoring at Hamilton.

Star Rage and Fiori (3.50) are also possibilities, with the latter just getting the nod given the presence of top 7lb apprentice David Nolan in the saddle.

The five-furlong sprint at 4.55 is a complicated affair with many of the 12 runners holding valid claims.

Perhaps the best-handicapped individual in the event is Miss Fit, well over a stone lower than her rating of a couple years ago. She made a promising reappearance when fifth at Hamilton with an inexperienced rider aboard and it could prove extremely significant that the reigning champion jockey Kevin Darley now takes over in the plate.

There's some excellent action over the jumps at Wetherby, where The Only Option (3.25) catches the eye at potentially double-digit odds.

I thought the six-year-old mare ran a cracker to finish fifth on her debut behind Running Times at Sedgefield at the beginning of the month.

Sure to be more streetwise for the outing, plus a good deal fitter, an each-way bet in the long-distance Weatherbys Printing Services Novices' Hurdle is highly recommended.

Andy Streeter's stable is bang in the middle of a purple patch at present, a winning run likely to be extended by Son Of Light (5.05), due to be partnered by none other than A P McCoy.

l Nap selection Reel Buddy (5-2) proved a real friend for followers of Janus with a smooth victory at Goodwood yesterday.

l All of the principal contenders stood their ground at yesterday's second forfeit stage for the 2001 Vodafone Derby, the 222nd running of the Classic contest at Epsom, on Saturday June 9.

A total of 27 contenders remain in the £1m race with just the supplementary entry stage seven days, before the big race, left for the addition of any late entries.

Horses can be added to the field at a cost of £75,000.

Barry Hills could run all four of his representatives in the big race.

His assistant, Kevin Mooney, said yesterday: ''All are well and if they all stay healthy, the plan is for all four to take their chance.''

The Tote's special bet about Hills winning the race is now 11-2, having been 7-1 when first offered a fortnight ago.

Godolphin have also left their options open by keeping Celtic Silence, Musha Merr and Wareed in the race, as well as Sagitta 2000 Guineas flop Tobougg and ex-French colt Equerry.

As well as second-favourite Galileo, Ballydoyle maestro is responsible for another six of the field - Beckett, El Bueno, Ice Dancer, King's County, Milan and Mozart.

The most notable withdrawals from the race were Henry Cecil's pair, Curtain Time and Vacamonte, along with the much-touted hope of Roger Charlton, Aldwych.