Darryll Holland, enjoying his best season in the saddle, has sound claims of landing the Haxby Handicap at York this afternoon with Wicked Uncle.

Steve Gollings' sprinter hasn't won since May of last year but shaped as though a return to winning ways was on the cards at Newcastle last time, when partnered by Holland.

He looks a fair bit better than the bare form suggests as he pulled well clear of the stands side group in the closing stages but couldn't peg back Caribbean Coral, who raced on the far side.

The visor he had refitted that day is on again and he's certainly on a decent-looking mark at present as he's due to go up another 4lb in the handicap from Saturday.

Holland looks to have good claims of initiating a double with Camelot in the Bet attheraces Showcase Rated Handicap over a mile.

Luca Cumani's four-year-old has been a progressive sort and turned in his best effort to date when successful in a competitive handicap at Haydock on his most recent start.

His up-with-the-pace style of racing is well suited to this course and, although 5lb higher in the weights, may well have more improvement in him than the majority of today's rivals.

Kieren Fallon, to whom Holland is playing second fiddle in the jockeys' championship, can also be in double form with Putra Sas in the opening mile maiden and Romany Nights in the six-furlong classified stakes.

The former, the first foal of a well-related dam, shaped well on his debut in a decent Newbury maiden and will be hard to beat, especially with plenty of improvement on the cards.

Romany Nights came back to form at Kempton last time when reunited with Fallon (he also won for the champion jockey at Newbury in May) when finishing a very creditable second to Thurlestone Rock.

He has a good chance at these weights and, unless there is plenty of overnight rain, will have conditions very much in his favour. He's taken to beat Ground Zero, who wears the first time blinkers.

Frankie Dettori, who rides Ground Zero, can be on the mark with Rules For Jokers in the Acorn Web Offset Nursery over six furlongs.

Jamie Osborne's juvenile is thriving at present and Dettori was in the saddle when guiding him to a three-length victory at Pontefract earlier in the week.

A six pound penalty may not be enough to prevent a follow-up and, as he's won on both firm and soft ground, he shouldn't be inconvenienced if there's any rainfall overnight.

The bet of the day looks to be Tim Easterby's Jeepstar in the Garbutt & Elliott Handicap over the extended mile and a quarter.

This progressive type ran his best race back over this trip at Ripon last time and he's well drawn for one that races right up with the pace.

Conditions are in his favour and he's likely to be thereabouts.

At Carlisle the best bet on a modest-looking card could be the progressive End Of An Error in the Kier Northern Handicap hurdle over three miles.

The filly turned in her best effort when beating the reliable Champagne Lil at Perth last time but, although 6lb higher in the weights, left the impression that this stiffer track would be much more to her liking.

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