ALTHOUGH Sheriff Hutton-based Mick Easterby launches a six-strong raiding party to Yarmouth, Soto (4.35) is the only one of his runners to make significant appeal.

Easterby's septuagenarian status means he's one of the senior members of the training ranks, but his enthusiasm for the job remains undiminished and via Soto he has a well-handicapped individual ripe for a major punt.

Paul Mulrennan's mount has fallen a few pounds in the ratings during the past 12 months, which combined with some ease in the ground makes a solid case for supporting the combination.

Interestingly, Soto was a recent last-minute Haydock withdrawal due to the firm underfoot conditions, so it does seem as if the selection wants as a good sprinkling of rain at the east coast track.

Fortunately the forecasters are with us on that score, therefore as long as the current countrywide heavy showers persist, Easterby's four-year-old looks set fair for the six-furlong sprint.

Rookie handler Eve Johnston Houghton has made an exemplary start to her training career since taking over from her father, Fulke, at the back-end of 2006.

In-form Eve sends out Split The Wind (4.00) to contest the June's Special Birthday Fillies' Handicap, a weakish one-mile event which shouldn't take too much winning.

According to my parade ring spies, Split The Wind appeared to be in need of the outing when making a satisfactory return to the fray at Nottingham in May.

If that observation proves to be correct and the three-year-old now strips fitter, the filly should theoretically sustain her final-furlong thrust all the way to the line.

Nick Littmoden's stable has nothing like the firepower they boasted a couple of years ago, nevertheless he's back among the winners and Newbury-bound Kindlelight Blue (4.55 ) could add to his tally.

Kindlelight Blue didn't exactly do himself any favours with a sloppy exit from the gates at Beverley, a tardy start which ultimately cost the son of Golan dear since he ran on well to eventually nab second spot.

Provided rider Micky Fenton can bustle Littmoden's charge along early on, he should muster the necessary pace to keep closer tabs on the leaders and make amends for his previous misdemeanour.