WITH the start of the Flat turf season less than a month away, several of our leading jockeys are beginning to limber up on the all-weather tracks.

After spending much of the winter abroad, ace-pilot Darryll Holland is one such example, getting off mark for the year at Lingfield yesterday aboard Eucalyptus.

Holland, who is always in demand when back on these shores, has another good-looking ride at the Surrey track this afternoon partnering Royal Prodigy (2.10) in division two of the Betdirect Maiden Stakes.

Jeremy Noseda's Newmarket stable has been in sparkling form over the past couple of weeks and he wouldn't be running the likes of the nicely-bred Royal Prodigy unless the colt hadn't been giving him the right signals at home.

Connections will certainly be hoping to recoup the losses they suffered when the 25,000 guineas son of Royal Academy flopped when favourite to win a seven- furlong maiden at Newmarket in November.

Royal Prodigy had previously finished third to a useful sort of John Dunlop's at York called Him Of Distinction, a reproduction of which would surely be good enough to help Holland to another victory.

After a dismal 2001 campaign Amelia (2.40) is a filly who might be worth following over the next few weeks.

John Cullinan's four-year-old was staying on in gritty style from a pretty awful wide draw over track and trip last time out. She's also got an ideal all-weather pedigree since her sire General Monash gets his fair share of winners on the sand.

Amelia's been much luckier with the draw this time, emerging out of stall No 3, ideal for getting a lead prior to pouncing on the turn for home. It might sound simple, but that's the way plenty of the races are being won at Lingfield these days.

Alan Jarvis is a trainer to note at this stage of the season - he's well known for tuning up a few of his inmates in February and March.

Jarvis gave Zaminstar (3.10) a spin at the course last week, which should have put the three-year-old colt spot-on for the six- furlong Littlewoods Handicap.

Former top BBC commentator Peter O'Sullivan has owned many good horses in the past, including Be Friendly and Attivo.

Now in his late seventies O'Sullivan has come up with another crackerjack, Amigo (3.40), bidding for a spectacular four-timer in the Call Bet Direct Handicap over a mile-and-a-half.

Amigo has done nothing except improve this year and although he appears to have it all to do against Ascari, who chased him home when the pair clashed three weeks ago, I still believe Amigo will prevail.

There's a strong possibility that the Official Handicapper has dropped a clanger in allotting Tunnel Of Love only 8st 13lb in the mile-and-a-quarter Handicap at 4.45.

David Arbuthnot has been extremely patient with his four-year-old, who has to date run only three times in her life.

But Tunnel Of Love showed marked promise over an inadequate trip of one mile recently and is likely to be even better now she has an extra two furlongs to travel.