A Sparkling Beverley outlook

10:23am Tuesday 19th September 2006

SPARKLING EYES (2.40) might have enough class to overcome a terrible draw in stall one for the five furlong Novice Stakes at Beverley this afternoon.

Those folk fond of gallows humour will appreciate the dubbing of that particular position in the gates on the straight course as "the coffin box", since having to emerge from the wide outside is often the kiss of death.

It basically means Sparkling Eyes has quite a bit further to travel than the higher drawn horses, nonetheless compared to the majority of his rivals he's far higher in the official ratings, plus is holding his form in exemplary fashion.

Saturday's unplaced nap selection, Kudbeme (3.50), makes a swift reappearance in the Go Racing at Redcar Tomorrow Handicap.

Kudbeme's weekend effort at Catterick sadly didn't go to script on account of completely missing the break, which effectively meant it was game over before the race had even begun in earnest.

And unfortunately that's not the only bad news because the filly made significant late headway, catching the eye to such an extent that she's bound to be shorter odds than the 16-1 chalked up by the Catterick bookies.

Still, beggars can't be choosers, and even at the revised prices, I believe, provided Suzzanne France and partner get out on level terms, victory can be theirs in the near one-mile event.

With six winners from his last 28 runners, Michael Dods is currently boasting one of the best strike-rates in the country.

I'm sure he'd have been more comfortable with a softer surface and a double-digit draw for Rotuma (4.25) in the mile-and-a-quarter Handicap, however there's no denying the gelding remains pretty well in at the weights.

Rotuma had a superb 2004 season when scoring three times in all, including over course and distance, together with a career best triumph off 73 at Leicester.

There's little doubt he was in the handicappers grip for most of 2005, finally notching a sole success at Wolverhampton when making the most of a favourable mark to nab a low-grade Banded all-weather contest in November.

Another long lull ensued until finally getting his head back in front at Newcastle last month, a long-overdue win which will have done Rotuma's confidence no harm whatsoever.

Newmarket stage an all two-year-old meeting, the pick of which may prove to be Colorado Rapid (2.55), a son of Barathea who made a very promising Chepstow debut when just failing to catch hot favourite, Amazing Request.

l Street Warrior landed a cracking 7-1 nap for Janus (Colin Woods) at Leicester yesterday