STEVIE THUNDER (3.00) bids to improve an already excellent strike-rate by winning Redcar's Straight-Mile Championship Qualifier.

The drinks will once again be on Alan Swinbank's money-spinner if, as expected, he makes it three wins from five starts in the Boddington's sponsored feature.

Stevie Wonder started life by snapping up a lowly Musselburgh seller, but has since improved markedly when scoring in much better company on his return to the same track.

Like so many of the stable's inmates the selection is progressing very nicely with experience and although likely to start at a short price, looks a real banker bet.

Ten wins, ten seconds and 11 thirds represents a wonderful career haul for Efidium, an evergreen veteran of 114 outings to date. It's quite sad to see him being dropped in class to compete for dreadfully poor prize money in the Racing UK Selling Stakes, however his advancing years leave little alternative.

There is a possibility that time has caught up with Efidium, who might still have enough spring in his step to beat off a modest field.

Mark Johnston is at it again, entering two good horses in the same race, Tajweed (4.30) and Casa Catalina, both of whom run in the mile-and-a quarter Tees Valley Handicap.

Casa Catalina seemed more of a sprinter when winning at Thirsk last season, so the nod goes to Tajweed, who is a lovely, big, scopey middle-distance type.

After hacking up first time out as a juvenile in 2007, Regal Step (5.30) was then sent straight to Royal Ascot for a crack at the Group 2 Queen Anne Stakes.

In the event Robert Cowell's filly could never land a blow at the leaders, neither could she get involved when fifth in a Listed race on her only other spin last year.

Now back to a far more realistic level in the closing August Fillies' Handicap, Regal Step might just be different gear to her rivals in the five-furlong dash.

There is not a great deal to shout about on the National Hunt front, with the possible exception of Hereford's two-milethree- furlong £7,000 Butty Bach Beginners' Chase.

There's no question it's quite good mid-week cash and hence Alan King has targeted Oh Crick (2.40) at the race, which will be his first time in a steeplechase.

Course experience is vital since it's a very sharp track, something Oh Crick has proved he can deal with having won in a fast time over hurdles at the venue earlier in the season.

■ Today's fixture at Redcar is subject to the course passing an inspection at 7.30am.