WIDE-AWAKE punters should be on the alert for Westcourt Dream (4.30) at Thirsk this afternoon.

Mick Easterby's filly struck in spectacular style at Beverley much earlier in late spring, only to flop badly over today's course and distance in June. Having been heavily backed to 5/4 favouritism on that occasion, the local stewards not surprisingly asked connections for an explanation seeing as Westcourt Dream finished plum last.

Easterby could not fathom out why she had performed so poorly, however, he did give her a two-month holiday prior to returning at York last week, where despite just needing the outing fitness-wise, she ran perfectly respectably to finish in sixth position.

Westcourt Dream will have benefited significantly from that encouraging spin on the Knavesmire, and on the pick of her form is entitled to play a leading role in the Buckden Pike Handicap.

It is difficult to assess the precise effects of the draw in big-field sprints at the track, however it normally pays to be either high or low because that at least affords the respective jockeys an opportunity to bag one of the two available running rails.

Lee Enstone will have just such a chance aboard Fox Covert (5.00), drawn in stall number one for the closing six-furlong Scarborough Castle Handicap. Although Fox Covert is a still a maiden, he has run several decent races this term, not least at Newcastle last time out where he poured on the pressure come the final furlong to snatch third spot in a similar standard contest.

David Barker's gelding does not have to travel far from his Scorton base, neither will it matter what underfoot conditions are like as he appears to act on most types of ground, so come rain or shine Fox Covert is definitely worthy of an each-way interest.

Mick Channon has been keen to point out that his current bunch of two-year-olds are relatively modest, but even though the Lambourn handler is generally down-beat about his juveniles, there might be light on the horizon with Yarmouth-bound Bibury Flyer (2.20).

Bibury Flyer has been regularly hitting the uprights and crossbar of late, and it is now his turn to find the back of the net judged on a strong finishing third place in a far stronger contest at Doncaster only six days ago.

Another St Leger meeting raider with a viable profile is Whitebarrow, who blazed out of the traps and led the field merry dance for the majority of the valuable Portland Handicap, won by the record-breaking Halmuhera for the third year in succession.

Whitebarrow (4.50) was drawn on the unfavoured far side and in the circumstances ran a blinder to grab fifth spot, beaten less than one length in total. Milton Bradley's sprinter has a bit to find to with a couple of his rivals according to the official ratings, nonetheless while he's in such prime fettle it might be worth having a lucky dip at a potentially rewarding starting price.

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