AFTER a mid-season spell in the doldrums the Michael Dods' stable has sparked back into life over the past couple of weeks.

One of horses helping to revive the Denton handler's fortunes is Beverley-bound John O'Groats, who under an inspired ride from Fergal Lynch produced a stunning burst of acceleration to win a five-furlong sprint at Pontefract last week.

Lynch had to be as cool as a cucumber that day because the gaps failed to open as he wanted approaching the final furlong.

But when his chance came, Lynch slipped his mount through the pack with pinpoint precision to win in a particularly fast time. The easy underfoot conditions clearly suited John O'Groats (3.00), fancied to follow-up in the £12,000 Tote Placepot Handicap.

In the preceding EBF Maiden Stakes any market moves for Sir Mark Prescott's newcomer Approach may prove significant, but in the absence of any concrete racecourse form, Pantone (2.30) gets the nod.

Pantone looked as if she was going to finish out with the washing at Catterick last week having totally lost her pitch with only two furlongs to travel.

However, Kevin Darley's partner rallied to amazing effect over the final 200 yards and probably would have won in a few more strides.

Beverley is a far sterner test of stamina than Catterick's mainly flat track, a factor that will suit Mark Johnston's filly most admirably.

Johnston might also be on the mark at Sandown with Affray (7.40) in the two mile Granby Handicap.

Affray, who opened in account in gritty style over a mile-and-a-half at Bath back in June, has always looked as if he would be even better once stepped up another half-mile or so.

Sandown also stage the most valuable race of the evening, the £11,000 Numis Securities Conditions Stakes for two-year-olds.

Richard Hannon, numerically by far and away this season's leading juvenile trainer, has Mark Of Zorro (7.10) entered in the seven furlong event.

Having bolted up on his debut at Newbury, the selection then returned to that track only to be eclipsed by David Loder's Dublin.

At first glance defeat at the hands of Dublin appeared to be a major disappointment - until the latter followed up in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

The heavy ground at Hamilton is very much in favour of the College Maid (6.55) in the six furlong Weekend Handicap.

Local trainer Jim Goldie has knocked in 20 winners at the Scottish course over the past five years.

Somewhat surprisingly College Maid has not yet added to that impressive haul, although with her favourable high draw, plus the assistance of the brilliant Tony Culhane in the saddle, the five-year-old mare can soon set the record straight.

Peter Harris despatches Turtle Recall (8.25) from his Home Counties yard to contest the closing mile-and-five-furlong handicap, and if the gelding maintains the improvement he showed at Folkestone recently, then victory could well be on the cards.

l Trainer Bob Buckler keyed up some friendly rivalry between himself and former jockey Brendan Powell after Karadin landed the Summer Jumping Novices' Chase Championship (Heat 6) at Newton Abbot yesterday.

Karadin runs in the colours of Anne La Trobe and she also owns Heracles, trained by Powell, and both are now set to clash in the valuable final of the contest at the Devon course on August Bank Holiday Monday.

Buckler said: ''As Brendan used to be my jockey there is obviously going to be a fair bit of friendly rivalry when both horses go for the final later this month and may the best man win!'

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