MON PETITE (2.45) might be worth a small wager in the Jeroboam Handicap at Redcar this afternoon.

Trainer Jeremy Glover has been running his three-year-old filly over six furlongs so far this season, a strange decision since she doesn't appear to have the speed to be fully effective at the trip.

In the search for clues as to Mon Petite's optimum distance you have to go back to Yarmouth last July when she won a competitive seller at Yarmouth over seven furlongs.

Glover's decision to put the selection back over that trip coincides with his stable making a welcome return to form - a hint too good to miss even though she will have a tough task overcoming her 25 rivals.

In the following Anderson Barrowcliff Fillies' Handicap, Chris Grant's Micklow Magic (3.15) is worthy of support despite a 264-day break.

Grant's grass roots are in National Hunt racing, however that's not to say he cannot turn out the odd winner or two on the flat, a feat achieved by Micklow Magic first time out at Thirsk last season after a similarly long absence.

The fact she failed to win again in 2001 had the beneficial effect of seeing her handicap mark fall a full 10lbs, as well giving rise to the theory that the mare goes best when fresh.

The banker bet on the card is undoubtedly Xellance (4.15), although sad to say he's unlikely to go off at odds against in the two mile Half Bottle Claiming Stakes.

The former track and trip scorer has been fighting a losing battle with the Handicapper.

In such instances a drop in class is often the only answer, a route Mark Johnston has opted to take after his gelding failed to cut the mustard in better company this term.

The ground at Salisbury looks as if its going to be pretty testing, a factor very much in the interests of Awake (5.00), destined to win the £10,000 Showcase Handicap for David Nicholls if all goes to plan.

Awake has tumbled down the weights at a fair rate of knots over the past two years, but at least he's now running off the sort off mark which makes winning more than just a pipe dream.

Earlier in the day, Nicholls may well initiate a double with Mister Rambo (3.00), streets ahead of the opposition in division 1 of the H&B Claiming Stakes.