BACKERS of Bahama Baileys (2.45) hold excellent prospects of getting the afternoon off to a winning start in Pontefract's opener, the Diane Nursery.

Bahama Baileys carries the same colours as Mister Baileys, who provided Mark Johnston with his inaugural Classic race success when lifting the 1994 2,000 Guineas.

Realistically speaking the colt isn't anything like as good as his highly-esteemed former stablemate, however in the sheer guts department, Johnston's two-year-old is awarded top marks.

Speculating about bravery in thoroughbreds is somewhat subjective, but there was no cribbing the way Bahama Baileys fought like a lion when third at Beverley in May.

Such overt tenacity has prompted the trainer to up his charge in trip, which should ensure the emphasis is even more on stamina and help the selection on his way to victory in the six furlong event.

The King Richard III Handicap is of particular interest since it features Braddock's (4.15) bid to maintain his 100 per cent unbeaten record.

David Barron's son of Pivotal loves soft ground, so all concerned will hope the slow-moving showers which have been hanging around over the past few days continue to drench the course.

Having won his two previous starts over seven and eight furlongs, Braddock puts his versatility to the acid-test by having a crack in a bona-fide sprint event.

Another individual with a liking for the mud is Gardesee (5.15), who put up a gritty front-running display to make every yard over track and trip last week.

Trained not far up the road by Tadcaster-based Tom Tate, Gardesee has the assistance of Jamie Moriarty, widely acknowledged as the best young apprentice on the northern circuit.

Lingfield's 14-runner Book Online Handicap features Bob's Your Uncle (5.00), partnered by Eddie Ahern, a master of judging the fractions needed to succeed on the polytrack.

It's a surface which produces more muddling races, pace-wise, than any other venue and in such instances you need a jockey like Ahern, blessed with a cool demeanor and accurate clock in his head.

Bob's Your Uncle, twice triumphant on turf at Windsor during his 2006 turf campaign, has made a silky-smooth transition to the all-weather, not once finishing out of the first two in three outings.

Despite that admirable consistency, the handicapper hasn't been too harsh on Jonny Portman's gelding, a hold-up merchant with a penchant for playing his cards at the last possible moment.