TIM EASTERBY, who has hit the jackpot in each of the last two years in the totepool Two-Year-Old Trophy, can win Redcar's showpiece for a third successive time at Redcar this afternoon.

The Great Habton trainer is represented by Mattmu, the mount of Duran Fentiman, who figures at the foot of the weights in this richly-endowed 23-runner contest which provides a first prize of more than £100,000.

Always well regarded by Easterby, Mattmu won at Haydock and Chester in the summer and performed admirably in a big-money juvenile contest at Doncaster last month when third to Bond's Girl.

The unbeaten and highly-rated Limato, trained by Henry Candy, will take plenty of beating under Graham Lee, but a single-figure draw may not help his chances and, in receipt of 9lb, Mattmu is napped to give Easterby a hat-trick of successes in Redcar's feature contest.

The totepool Guisborough Stakes is the main supporting event and this listed seven furlong event looks a good opportunity for Muteela to return to winning form on behalf of Mark Johnston, pictured.

Far from disgraced when sixth at Doncaster last month, Muteela had previously posted two solid runner-up efforts at Goodwood which came on the back of a gutsy win in the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot

Alumuheet, who has stacked up a whole sequence of placed efforts, has the chance to gain a deserved triumph in the Straight Mile Championship Handicap Final for Brian Ellison, while Mark Johnston's Hamilton winner Stetchworth boasts solid claims in the Market Cross Jewellers Handicap.

At Ascot, Richard Fahey and David O'Meara both have good chances of bagging major prizes.

Fahey saddles Heaven's Guest, who bids to win the £150,000 totepool Challenge Cup for the second successive year. The four-year-old has enjoyed another good season and has won the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket and, most recently, finished fourth in the Ayr Gold Cup. He is entitled to go well over this seven furlongs under George Chaloner.

O'Meara, whose Highland Acclaim and new recruit Fort Bastion could go well in the feature handicap, runs his Ayr Gold Cup winner Louis The Pious in the John Guest Bengough Stakes.

The step up to Group 3 level sets the gelding a new challenge, but the way he won in Scotland confirmed he is in tremendous form and he is fancied to be able to hold his own against the likes of Danzeno and Tropics, winner of this race last year. Danny Tudhope takes the mount on Louis The Pious, who won the Buckingham Palace Handicap over this course and distance at the Royal meeting in June.

Paul Hanagan is fancied to complete a double at the meeting by winning the opening Albert Bartlett Stakes on Muthmir and the Listed totepool October Stakes on prolific winner Felwah, both trained by William Haggas.

Muthmir is particularly fascinating. He won the Portland Handicap in impressive style at Doncaster last time and looks a real class act as a sprinter.

Selections

Redcar today
2.00 Awjab, 2.30 Exclusive
Contract, 3.05 Mattmu (NAP), 3.45 Muteela, 4.20 Muhtadim, 4.55 Almuheet, 5.30 Stetchworth, 6.05 Hazelrigg.

Ascot today
2.05 Muthmir, 2.40 Pether’s Moon, 3.15 Louis The Pious, 3.50 Heaven’s Guest, 4.25 Felwah, 5.00 Dungannon.

Today’s other meetings: Newmarket, Fontwell and Wolverhampton.

Tomorrow’s meetings: Huntington, Kelso and Uttoxeter.