TRACK specialist Stallone (4.40) looks good for a third course and distance success of the season at Newcastle this afternoon.

Trainer Noel Wilson has done a super job revitalising the career of Stallone, who was thrashed out of sight in the seller on this card precisely 12 months ago. Shrewd-thinking Wilson responded by giving his gelding a spell over hurdles during the winter, which had the desired effect of sweetening up Stallone's attitude no end.

Let's face it, there's no real contest given the choice of having to jump eight flights of hurdles in freezing cold wet weather compared to racing on the flat with the summer sunshine on your back, and it's no surprise Stallone soon decided which side his bread was buttered on.

Fired with a new found optimism for the game, the selection returned with from the National Hunt arena with a vengeance, picking up successive events at the Tyneside venue in April and May, plus has hardly run a bad race since.

Michael Dods might easily have a one-two at Catterick's evening meeting courtesy of Smith N Allan Oils and Mr Bountiful (7.55), both of whom are in decent nick.

Preference is marginally for the latter, deserving of better luck having not had the rub of the green on more than one occasion this term.

Leave the finale to Mark Johnston's Victory Venture (8.25), by no means disgraced when runner-up to a Neil Graham hot-pot on his belated debut at Ayr two weeks ago.

Over at Newmarket in form Lennel (7.10) bids to win for the second time in just over 24 hours.

Alan Bailey's rejuvenated five-year-old swept through to collect with authority at Beverley yesterday and there should be no stopping him in the skybet.com Handicap with only a 5lb penalty to shoulder.