KEVIN DARLEY'S decision to ride in Hong Kong this winter is far from surprising considering the tempting financial rewards on offer in the Far East.

Over there they race for big potatoes virtually all year round whereas Darley finds himself lining up for a first prize of less than £5,000 on Yasey (2.20) in the opening EBF Maiden Stakes at Chester today.

But whatever the size of the purse, Kevin never gives anything less than 110 per cent, and provided Yasey builds on his promising debut second at Doncaster, he's sure to be in the shake-up.

Mind you, Yasey needs to get his act together fairly smartly on account of a hefty $170,000 price tag. And as luck would have it, the American-bred colt has come up smelli ng of roses as far as the draw is concerned, emerging from the favoured number two stall, more or less hard up against the far side rail.

It normally pays to side with improving three-year-olds throughout the autumn making both Ranville (3.50) and Grand Fromage strong possibilities in the two mile £10,000 Showcase Handicap.

Preference is marginally for the former, on the verge of a sparkling hat-trick following impressive victories at Nottingham and Haydock. Mick Jarvis's gelding won with any amount in hand at the last-named track suggesting his winning run was far from over.

The soft ground at the Roodeye is going to be a crucial factor in determining the results and none will handle the testing conditions better than the confirmed mudlark, Annadawi (5.25), in the Bodfari Stud Handicap over an extended mile-and-a-quarter.

Forget his latest miserable effort at Epsom where from a lousy draw he never had a hope of making his presence felt. Nor for that matter was the rock hard surface any help to the selection.

Things could not be more different now. A plum inside draw, tacky turf above rain-soaked soil, plus the dogged presence of never-say-die jockey Tyrone Williams on board.

Goodwood's predominately downhill straight five furlong course does not suit the majority of sprinters, but there's always an exception to the rule and in the case of the Kerry Foodservice Handicap its got be Forgotten Times (4.35).

Ken Ivory's seven-year-old not only won over track and trip last season, he also prevailed in fast time at Epsom 11 days ago. The booking of brilliant 3lb claimer, Chris Catlin, is just the icing on the cake as far as I'm concerned

Up to Scotland where Prince Among Men (3.10) can make amends for an unlucky defeat on the level at Goodwood recently.

Martin Todhunter's dual purpose gelding was unable to extract himself from a pocket on the rails at the Sussex venue, traffic problems which in all probability cost him victory.

Back over timber for the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle, he has the scope to shrug off top-weight at the main expense of Tony Martin Irish raider, Indiana Journey.