STEEL BLUE (2.30) must enter calculations for the Ayr Silver Cup in view of the fact that both he and Richard Whitaker's stable have made a welcome return to form in recent weeks.

With a maximum 28 runners facing the starter for the six-furlong cavalry charge it's impossible to predict the outcome with any certainty, however, Steel Blue has dropped back down to a winning mark, plus ran a blinder when fourth at York late last month.

There's no two ways about it, Steel Blue is a decent sprinter on his day, acts on both fast and soft ground, and is well placed from stall 20 to make his way towards the stands' rail where the ground is often favourable.

Chris Fairhurst has been a touch short of decent ammo this year. Nonetheless, he has some fair new blood in the guise of The Thrifty Bear (2.00), who despite going off at 14's, won doing handsprings on a recent raid to Thrisk.

The Thrifty Bear now takes a significant step up in class for the Harry Roseberry Stakes, but that's not to say the gelding isn't capable of making further strides and taking a hand in the finish of the five-furlong dash.

Another two-year-old worth keeping in mind is Frank Crow (3.40), poised to go one better in the James Barr Stakes having finished second to High Curragh at the course last time out.

Ian Semple's juvenile was unlucky to meet up with such a smart youngster on that occasion, a situation not likely to re-occur this afternoon in the £9,000 contest.

Even though the closing Jacob's Creek Handicap has only attracted five runners, it is still a very hard-to-solve heat, with any one of the quintet capable of taking the money.

Perhaps the crucial piece of the jigsaw to consider is the trip of nearly two-and-a-quarter-miles, which by Flat racing standards is just about the equivalent of the London marathon.

When it comes to winning races of this nature, Mark Johnston is the name on most punters' lips and I reckon his entry, Rule For Ever (5.15), is tailor-made for the job.

Owned by Scottish solicitor Stuart Morrison, whose colours were famously carried by Quick Ransom and Bijou d'Inde, Rule For Ever isn't in their league, but at least he's an honest broker guaranteed not to give up without a fight.

Down in the Midlands, the Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club Nursery features one or two potential six-hitters, including Fayr Sky (2.55), who pulverised her rivals when getting off the mark at Catterick.

Although at the time the race appeared a low-level contest, events since have disproved that particular theory on account of the third home, The Terrier, subsequently successfully plundering a brace of Redcar nurseries.

Newbury-bound Soulacroix (4.25) has not lived up to expectations this term, notably on his latest start at Newbury where he failed to land some sizeable wagers.

In an attempt to redress the bank balance trainer Amanda Perrett has dropped her four-year-old down in distance, a ploy which may not be a bad plan in a handicap where the leaders could go off too fast and set the race up for the hold-up performers such as Soulacroix.

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