BLUE EMPIRE'S penchant for a sharp left-handed track is nothing short of perfect for his bid to win Catterick's Middleham Suite Handicap.

Everything about the course should suit Blue Empire (4.55), who is not only 8lbs better off on turf compared to his all-weather mark, but also for a keen going sort has been gifted a dream draw in gate number three.

Considering the four-year-old is already astonishingly with his third trainer this year having twice been purchased out of claiming races, Blue Empire has retained his form remarkably well.

His latest second placing to the multiple scorer, Baylaw Star, certainly stacks up well in the context of this afternoon's 18-runner seven-furlong contest, in which quantity, rather than quality, is very much the order of the day.

Although the two-mile Tumeric Handicap is by far and away the longest race on the card, there might still be a close finish according to the way the weights are framed.

The three-year-old, Tiamo, is bound to be popular following his Goodwood victory, however much higher up the handicap, Yankiedoodledandy (3.50) shaped as if he was on the verge of striking when fourth at Doncaster last time out.

Patrick Haslam's stayer enjoyed a profitable campaign over timber, including a famous success at Cheltenham prior to Christmas. He's no mug on the level either, and with the benefit of a useful apprentice taking 7lbs off his back, looks worth a small investment.

The long journey up from Cowbridge in South Glamorgan will seem well worthwhile if as expected Crystal Mystic (4.25) obliges in the Luncheon Suite Handicap.

Brynn Palling's improving three-year-old opened his account in impressive fashion at Chepstow, blowing away his rivals in the second fastest time of the evening.

From a pedigree point of view, Crystal Mystic appears as if there will be plenty more to come, the only real negative being her disadvantageous wide draw in stall nine, which marginally tempers enthusiasm for marching into the betting ring all guns blazing.

Talking of firepower, the really big shots such as Day Flight (3.05) are engaged down south at Newmarket on day two of the July Cup meeting.

Day Flight's colours have yet to be lowered thus far this term, his latest success coming at Chester where Richard Hughes was in cruise control for most of the race.

John Gosden's star has been talked of as a possible "Arc" contender later on in the year, so he'll likely have to maintain his winning sequence in the Group 2 Princess of Wales's Stakes to remain on track for France's top race of 2005.

Spigot Lodge handler, Karl Burke, is riding on the crest of a wave at present, therefore Banba (2.30) warrants the utmost respect in her attempt to complete a three-timer.

With only a featherweight to carry in the Blandford Bloodstock Stakes, Banba cannot be excluded from calculations having nabbed an easy double at Ripon and Thirsk in June.

Burke, a dyed-in-the-wool Liverpool supporter, has booked fellow Reds' fan, Franny Norton, to do the steering - a smart move since the latter has proved in the past to be a smart tactician in similarly valuable high profile handicaps.

* An inquest into the death of conditional jockey Tom Halliday was opened and adjourned yesterday.

The 20-year-old rider died from injuries sustained in a fall on the Sue Smith-trained Rush'N'Run at Market Rasen on Sunday.

A minute's silence was held at each of Monday's four meetings and at Newmarket yesterday in memory of Halliday.

Get more racing online at www.racing-north.co.uk.