FINAL DYNASTY (7.35) might well have the last say in this evening's feature race at Pontefract, the £18,000 Antonia Deuters Handicap.

The Geraldine Rees-trained three-year-old showed much-improved form at Ayr, where she so nearly ran down Mecca's Mate, who is no slouch and represents a solid yardstick from a form perspective.

Although slightly slicker ground would be a help to Final Dynasty, the presence of Paul Hanagan in the saddle means the filly will get every assistance from up top.

Another of the leading riders from our region, Tom Eaves, gets a rare opportunity to partner a Sir Michael Stoute inmate, Hypoteneuse, in the Fillies' Handicap.

There'll also be extra interest surrounding Hypoteneuse (7.05) since she's owned by Her Majesty The Queen, handing Tom the unexpected honour of donning the famous royal colours.

Stoute's Newmarket raider showed her rivals a clean pair of hooves at Bath last week, a victory she's fully expected to follow up, despite having to shoulder a 6lb penalty.

The same owner/trainer/jockey combination is represented by Garden Party (8.40) in the mile-and-a-quarter Frontline Maiden Handicap.

Garden Party blew a fuse at the start on his latest visit to Windsor, rearing in the stalls and generally throwing the toys out of the pram before the gates had even opened.

A repeat of that delinquency could mean curtains for his backers, but should the gelding decide to play ball he's in with a shout in what is a relatively poor heat.

Previous dual course and distance scorer, Society Music (8.10), has every chance of defying top-weight in her bid to lift the Colstrope Cup.

An each-way approach from a betting point of view is recommended, a point underlined by the fact that if the five-year-old doesn't win, she should occupy second or third spot.

Scarcroft, nearLeeds, handler Richard Whitaker heads down the A1 to Newmarket with Tabaret (7.15), a lively outsider for the Southend Conditions Stakes.

Tabaret's track and trip sixth placing back in May was a pretty decent effort considering the stable weren't really firing with any sort of verve during the spring.

Richard's horses are thankfully in better shape now, a crucial consideration in comfortably the most interesting and competitive contest on the card.

* Rain-hit Nottingham must survive a 7.30am inspection.

"At this stage the course needs to improve," said a pessimistic Clerk Of The Course, Nick Patton."