THERE isn't a stable in the land with a stronger team of two-year-olds than Mark Johnston, fancied to notch yet another juvenile scorer courtesy of Kentmere (1.40) in the opener at Newcastle this afternoon.

Kentmere failed only by the width of a fag paper to catch Fantastic View when going down by a short-head at Musselburgh 14 days ago, so theoretically he's virtually a winner without a penalty.

But before anyone out there decides to have their house on Johnston's youngster, confidence has to be marginally tempered by the decision to drop Kentmere back in trip from seven to six furlongs.

Normally Mark's horses tend to improve when shifted in the opposite direction, although the Middleham maestro must have his reasons and doubtless jockey Keith Dalgleish will be anxious to utilise his mount's confirmed stamina by having Kentmere up with the leaders throughout.

Mary Reveley's inmates are normally worth paying close attention to at the Tyneside track boding well for her recent acquisition from Mick Channon, The Ring (3.40).

It is in the long distance division that the Lingdale-based handler does best of all which is surely good news for the The Ring, stepping up to two miles for the first time in the Renault Vans Conversion Handicap.

Previously placed on numerous occasions when in Channon's care, the selection seems to have been screaming out for today's marathon, a race which by rights should play to The Ring's strengths. Hayley Turner, one of the apprentice "finds" of the season, has struck up a pleasing partnership with Salisbury-bound Holly Rose (2.20).

Last time out at Yarmouth Hayley sat as quiet as a church mouse on Holly Rose, who responded to her kid gloves style of riding by pulling well clear of the opposition over the final couple of furlongs.

The combination have a slightly stiffer task in the Axminster Carpets Apprentice Handicap, none the less while in such fine fettle it may ultimately be folly to oppose Holly Rose in the mile-and-a-quarter contest.

In the later P.V.C. Building Supplies Handicap, Peggy Lou (4.20) can take advantage of her featherweight. Bernard Llewellyn's filly probably didn't quite get home over two miles at Chepstow in August and should therefore be suited by this reversion to 14 furlongs. Further encouragement can be gleaned from the modest standard of her rivals, as well as the booking of the immensely strong Fran Ferris to do the steering.

* A solution to the ongoing dispute over controversial new mobile phone restrictions appeared no nearer last night after the jockeys met in Nottingham to assess the situation, writes ROBERT PRATT.

The disagreement began when the Jockey Club introduced restrictions on mobile phone use by riders on racetracks from September 1, in the wake of a high-profile corruption court case which revealed that privileged information was being passed by phone.

Amended restrictions came into force on September 19 that allowed riders to make calls on their phones and check for messages whenever they wish, without the need to seek permission.

After yesterday's meeting chief executive John Blake said: "I have a commitment to get this thing sorted out and I'm open to further discussions with the Jockey Club to achieve that.''