HISTORY is set to repeat itself at Goodwood this afternoon where Kingscross (2.10) has a terrific chance to retain the Baker Tilly Trophy.

Exactly 12 months ago Kingscross lifted the silverware in the six furlong handicap when partnered by Jimmy Quinn. Kieren Fallon now takes over in the saddle so no problems there, although the fact that the five-year-old speedster is 7lbs higher in the weights, plus according to some observers ran poorly last time out, might put one or two backers off.

My own take on his latest flop at Newmarket conflicts with the official record, which states that Kingscross was "weakening when hampered over one furlong out". I've since studied the videotape and beg to disagree because it looked to me as if he was checked so badly that his jockey, Seb Sanders, had to stop riding and let his mount coast home to finish a well beaten 17th.

Any further rain will also help Kingcross, who relishes cut in the ground. Add to this his known liking for the always hard-to-handle downhill track, and he will surely give a good account given a little more luck in running.

The following Lupe Stakes represents just about the last recognised Oaks' trial and it affords another opportunity for the Henry Cecil-trained Midsummer (2.40) to shine.

Having previously won no less than nine trainers' championships, Cecil's career is in some quarters considered to be on the wane after two abysmal seasons judged by his own standards.

But the great man is said to be more determined than ever to stage a fight-back and at least with Midsummer, a gallant runner-up in Lingfield Oaks' trial, he has a decent filly to go to war with.

There's a whole host of superbly bred two-year-olds from top yards lining up for the Joe Mitford Maiden Stakes over six furlongs.

In what might conceivably turn out to be one of the best juvenile contests we've seen so far this term, Bayeux (4.55) gets only a tentative vote. David Loder's stable is boasting an enviably high 60 per cent strike-rate with their youngsters at present and he is not a man to put them to the test unless they are 110 per cent ready.

Kelso stage their most valuable ever meeting and it is nothing less than a downright disgrace that only three runners turn out for the £20,000 Eastern BMW Intermediate Hurdle.

National Hunt trainers can never again complain about the lack of prize money if they are not going to support such innovative sponsorship initiatives. Of the trio Hirapour (3.00), a one-time classy stayer on the level, should complete a five-timer over jumps against a couple of sub-standard opponents.

The opening Scottish Brewers Novices' Handicap Hurdle is a much more wide-open and competitive affair, however, according to some sets of speed figures, Pike Staff (2.00) will be hard to beat.

Pike Staff clocked a fair time when scoring over course and distance at the backend of last month and there's no question Maurice Barnes has a progressive five-year-old on his hands.

l Jockey Richard Hughes picked up a five-day suspension and trainer Roger Charlton was fined £800 over the running of Summer View at Goodwood yesterday.

The six-year-old finished 11th in the Newton Investment Management Stakes over a mile at the Sussex track after what the stewards considered to be ''quite tender handling''.