HULA BALLEW (3.30) holds every chance of hitting the target at Pontefract, a course where the eight-year-old has thrived before.

Trainer Michael Dods has his team firing and Hula Ballew showed she might soon join in the winning streak by nabbing third on her Thirsk return.

Form pundits will say another of today's runners, Surwaki, finished in front of her that day, however the latter is not certain to confirm his superiority.

It's true Hula Ballew has ground to make, but he had the run of the race up front, whereas Michael's mare was far more slowly into her stride.

Sir Royal's Nottingham third is beginning to look a whole lot better after the fourth home, Master Spy, won doing handsprings at Southwell yesterday.

Remarkably Sir Royal (2.55) only cost 24,000 guineas, a bit of steal to say the least considering he's by Diesis out of a dual Yorkshire Oaks winner.

Given such a swanky pedigree the beautifully-bred colt should be winning in the near future, the totesport.com Maiden Stakes being a suitable opportunity.

The naps haven't been going too well lately, but what can you do when hard-luck stories like Graylyn Ruby (4.40) continue to dog the selections?

We appeared to be in business with the 9-2 shot at Southwell, a contest Graylyn Ruby would have won but for being badly hampered in the closing stages.

Thankfully Jonathan Jay's raider emerged unscathed, so with luck will gain deserved compensation in the mile-and-ahalf Coralbet Handicap.

Ascot boasts the big-money action, although choosing between Mark Johnston's pair, Soapy Danger and Peppertree Lane, is a tough call. The cop out would be to tip top-rated Distinction, however, both of the Johnston inmates are capable of beating that rival on their day.

Although Soapy Danger made a winning comeback at Doncaster, he was far from impressive in a race where on the book he had 17lbs in hand.

For that reason, plus the possibility of really soft ground, I just prefer Peppertree Lane (3.55), for whom Jimmy Fortune has been booked.

The Peter Saville-owned chestnut won first time out last season, so we know he can produce the goods despite a long lay-off.

At Kelso's Tartan Snow (7.00) bids to atone for a clumsy jumping error at the last meeting.

Harry Haynes was in the plate and no disrespect, his replacement, the vastly-experienced Graham Lee, is better bet.