Vita Spericolata, narrowly beaten in the featured Slatch Farm Fillies' Stakes at Pontefract 12 months ago, may be scuppered again on Sunday in the latest renewal of this highly-prized £50,000 event.

John Wainwright's stable-star looks sure to be involved in the finish on the evidence of her two latest fine efforts in defeat, but she may find Lochridge more than she can cope with in the closing stages.

Trained by Andrew Balding, Lochridge beat Vita Spericolata by a decisive margin at the Shergar Cup meeting at Ascot last Saturday.

A comfortable three-and-a-half lengths clear at the line, she had local hope Vita Spericolata back in fourth place.

The pair meet on idential terms tomorrow, and, as both horses are well drawn, there is no obvious reason why Vita Spericolata should turn the tables on Lochridge, the mount of Martin Dwyer, over the same distance of six furlongs.

Fergal Lynch is going through a lean patch at present, but the North Yorkshire-based jockey should have good reason to smile after the £15,000 De Lacy Stakes over a mile and a half.

Lynch teams up with High Action, and Sir Michael Stoute's colt, a winner over this course and distance on his latest start, should take all the beating.

The Wakefield Unison Handicap offers Kevin Darley an opportunity of getting his name on the scoresheet.

The Sheriff Hutton-based jockey has the mount on Arzoo, and Luca Cumani's three-year-old has shown enough to suggest he can have the measure of these rivals.

Newmarket trainer William Haggas, a Yorkshireman, has good prospects of completing a quick double in the first two races with the promising pair Fyodor (2-15) and Obrigado (2-45).

At Kempton, Gaelic Princess looks the one to be on in the Surrey Herald & News Classified Stakes.

Tony Newcombe's smart three-year-old chased home Lochridge at Ascot last time and has less on her plate this time. Success for her tomorrow would pay a timely compliment to her conqueror, who faces the starter 40 minutes later at Pontefract.

The speedy Mac Love is taken to show his rivals a clean pair of heels in the Varian Limited Nursery, while Justalord, trained by John Balding at Bawtry, can make his long journey south worthwhile by lifting the Betfair.com Handicap over five furlongs.

Narrowly beaten by Kings College Boy at Nottingham last time, Justalord is awarded the nap vote.

At Bath, Middleham-based Carol Williams joins forces with Thirsk trainer David Nicholls and the partnership can lift the £25,000 Bathwick Tyres Lady Riders' Derby with Jabaar, a good fourth at Chester last time.

Nicholls can make his long-distance even more rewarding by also winning the Tote Placepot Handicap with the in-form Ballybunion.

Sunday's tips:

PONTEFRCT

2.15 Fyodor

2-45 Obrigado

3-20 Mr Fortywinks

3-50 Lochridge

4-25 High Action

4-55 Arzoo

5-25 Soaked

Kempton

2-00 Camrose

2-35 Mac Love

3-10 Gaelic Princess

3-40 Namroud

4-15 Justalord (NAP)

4-45 Carenage

Bath

2-25 Fabuco

2-55 Ettrick Water

3-30 Jabaar

4-00 Zyzania

4-35 Ballybunion

5-10 Nashwan Star

Friday's racing winners:

Newbury: Great View 8-1; 2.40 Kunda 5-4fav; 3.15 Mac 2-1j-fav; 3.50 Haafd 9-4fav; 4.20 Atahuelpa 10-11fav; 4.50 Design Perfection 6-5fav; 5.25 Able Baker Charlie 9-2.

Newcastle: Papeete 8-11fav; 3.05 Alba Stella 5-6fav; 3.40 Danehill Stroller 5-1; 4.10 Prize Ring 5-1; 4.40 Opening Ceremony 9-1; 5.15 DH - William's Well 20-1 & Flying Tackle 20-1.

Wolverhampton: 2.20 Outer Hebrides 1-5fav; 2.50 Gin 'N' Fonic 5-2fav; 3.25 Manipulator 2-1; 4.00 Mallard 7-2; 4.30 Swain Davis 33-1; 5.05 Haunt The Zoo 6-1.

Catterick: 5.55 Lost Spirit 9-2; 6.25 Yarn Spinner 11-2fav; 6.55 Stealthelimelight 7-2; 7.25 Hawk 9-2; 7.55 Differential 10-1; 8.25 Victory Venture 11-10fav.

Newmarket: 5.40 Mark Of Zorro 7-4; 6.10 Million Percent 5-2fav; 6.40 Let The Lion Roar 4-6fav; 7.10 Flight Of Esteem 4-1; 7.40 Mandobi 1/1fav; 8.10 Fruit Of Glory 3-1.

Updated: 11:25 Saturday, August 16, 2003