BACK-TO-FORM Balakiref (4.00) is the banker bet at Redcar's opening meeting of the 2004 Flat racing season.

The Michael Dods-trained speedster landed quite a gamble when supported from 8-1 to 11-2 on his successful return to action at Southwell a week ago. Admittedly the race was an egg-and-spoon affair, but with only a 6lb penalty to shoulder, Balakiref still appears to be nicely in at the weights for the Easter Bunny Handicap.

"He's extremely well-handicapped on the sum of his old form," was the message from Dods to readers of Racing North, something of understatement considering Balakiref began his 2003 campaign off a mark of 76, yet is able to contest today's £12,000 dash from the still comparatively lowly rating of 59.

Woody Valentine (3.35) did enough on his recent Catterick reappearance to give the impression that the preceding mile-and-a-quarter Easter Handicap is within his grasp.

Almost certainly just in need of the outing, Woody Valentine toed his rivals along at a cracking rate of knots before tiring when asked for a final push to the winning line when sailing past the two-furlong pole.

The selection tries a slightly less demanding trip this afternoon, which combined with his superior fitness could help him get off the mark for the year at only the second time of asking.

Down at Kempton, Steel Blue (3.15), who kicked off my ten-to-follow list with sparkling 16-1 victory at Doncaster, bids to make it two-from-two in the Sharp Minds Betfair Handicap.

A seemingly unfavourable low draw did not stop him scoring on the Town Moor, so the fact he once again apparently has it all to do from stall 4 need not be too much of a concern to prospective backers of the Scarcroft-near-Leeds-based raider.

Steel Blue's stablemate, Mynd (4.30), might easily complete an across-the-card double for trainer Richard Whitaker by claiming the five-furlong Pearse Handicap at Warwick.

Mynd, who showed excellent attitude to pick up a couple of races on the all-weather circuit over the winter, had valid reasons for failing to fire at Lingfield last time out when left alone to make his own pace up front - a tactic which clearly did not suit.

The four-year-old has been much luckier this time and emerging from stall eight should be able to tuck in behind the leaders prior to being unleashed inside the final furlong.

Artic Jack, a first-fence casualty in the Aintree Grand National, looks exceptional each-way value at around 16-1 for the Irish equivalent at Fairyhouse.

"He didn't take anything out of himself at Liverpool and we'll be giving it a good shot," said his trainer, Sue Smith.