TRY stringing along with Pearl Pride (3.00) in the Porters Lodge Fillies Nursery for a profitable afternoon at Pontefract.

On her latest outing at Beverley, Pearl Pride made a determined effort to get off the mark, setting a furious gallop which had all of her opponents, bar Ruthie, well and truly cooked by the time the winning post came into view.

Ruthie, trained by Tim Easterby, looks a pretty useful sort so Pearl Pride's narrow demise at her hands only served to strengthen the opinion that she would soon go one better.

The distance of one mile seems bound to suit, while the continuing superb form of Mark Johntston's horses can only add to the confidence of those intent on backing his promising two-year-old in the £6,000 contest.

The 18-runner Nevison Handicap over five furlongs belongs in the "too difficult" tray as far as serious punting goes, although a selection must be made and my vote goes to Lady Pekan (4.45).

Phil McEntee's mare is now back on a more realistic rating, has a plum draw in stall one, plus benefits from the invaluable assistance of Darryll Holland in the saddle.

There's always a terrific cover of grass at the course, aiding and abetting the prospects of track specialist Archie Babe (5.20) in the closing ten-furlong Apprentice Classified Stakes.

John Quinn's gelding ideally requires a soft surface, however the uphill nature of the track, combined with luscious underfoot conditions, are sure to take the sting out of the surface.

The most prestigious event of the day, the £50,000 Group 3 Charlton Hunt Supreme Stakes, takes place at Goodwood.

Some of the big southern battalions are out in force, including John Gosden, who has won the race three times in the past five years and fields Marching Band, while Barry Hills is certain to make a bold bid with his unbeaten three-year-old, Tantina.

Both are prodigiously talented, but neither may be able to repel the hope of the north, Monsieur Bond (3.15). Bryan Smart's raider began this season by finishing a close-up sixth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, not a bad effort for a 100/1 unconsidered outsider.

Monsieur Bond has taken time to reproduce that heady level, although last time out in a much lesser event, he showed he was once again approaching concert pitch by beating off a decent line-up at Epsom.

In the following Showcase Handicap, ultra-consistent Franksalot (3.15) makes stacks of appeal.

Having previously won at Brighton, Franksalot has already proved just how effective he can be on a downhill track.

Now teaming up with the smart claimer, Lisa Jones, the pair are perfectly poised to resume their winning ways at the ever-popular Sussex venue.

* Punters' favourites Frankie Dettori and Kieren Fallon both warmed up for their big weekends with popular winners at Goodwood yesterday.

The pair partner Dubai Destination and Russian Rhythm respectively in Saturday's feature Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

And Dettori will then go on to Germany the following afternoon to ride Godolphin's Melbourne Cup hopeful Mamool in the Preis von Europa at Cologne.

The Italian kept up the winning momentum as he partnered the John Gosden-trained Tip The Dip to success in the Macphie Foodservice Classified Stakes.

Dettori completed a double when Godolphin's Imtiyaz made all in the Bet attheraces Foundation Stakes.

Fallon moved on to the 201-winner mark for the campaign as he scored on another winning favourite, 1-5 chance North Light, in the Uniq Foodservice Gold Cup E.B.F. Maiden Stakes