HOOFALONG, a spectacular winner at Pontefract last week, bids to double-up at Beverley this afternoon.

The burning question is, can he defy a penalty from the worst possible draw in the race?

Mick Easterby's gelding won by eight lengths at Pontefract, going clear early on and never looking likely to be caught. That takes some doing in a five-furlong race run in just over a minute. It will, however, take even more doing today.

The 6lb penalty he carries is not nearly as much of a worry as being drawn 12 of 12 runners – which, as many will know, is a nightmarish draw at Beverley on the sprint course, which kinks to the right after a furlong and a half.

The one comfort for supporters of Hoofalong is that some of his chief rivals, notably Tom Sawyer and Art World, are also drawn higher than ideal.

Phillip Makin again takes the mount on Hoofalong after getting such a great tune out of him at Pontefract. This won't be easy – but remembering the style of his latest victory, neither is dismissing him too quickly from calculations.

David O'Meara is another North Yorkshire trainer running a recent winner under a penalty.

PRIMOGENITURE lines up in the Listers Mercedes Benz of Hull Handicap and is napped to oblige again after his Ripon success under 6lb more. Unlike Hoofalong, there are no draw worries with this horse, who will have Danny Tudhope on board.

BOLD APPEAL makes plenty of appeal in the Beverley Advertiser Handicap.

The mount of Silvestre de Sousa, who is blazing the trail in the race for the jockeys' championship, Ralph Beckett's gelding won by four lengths at Salisbury ten days ago. Once again, he can be another Beverley runner to defy a penalty.

Also worth noting are the well-weighted VICTOIRE DE LYPHAR (2.00) in the opening claimer and DRIFTING SPIRIT (2.30), who has shown a reasonable level of ability in her three starts.

At Salisbury, a note should be made of VIBRANT CHORDS in the British Stallion Studs Molson Coors Maiden Stakes.

Trainer Henry Candy won this race last year with Twilight Son, who turned out to very smart, and in Vibrant Chords he has a gelding who has an abundance of potential.

Beaten only a short head on this course by Steel Of Madrid on his debut, Vibrant Chord is fancied to go one better this time. James Doyle rides.

The British Stallion Studs Upavon Fillies' Stakes takes pride of place on the Salisbury card and this Listed event may well fall to PAMONA.

Luca Cumani's charge failed to produce her best at York last time behind the impressive French Dressing but she had previously occupied third place in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot when encountering trouble in running. She is capable of running a huge race here if producing her best form.

CHIEF WHIP may prove the solution to the S H Jones Wines Nursery Handicap – in which his trainer Richard Hannon also runs Spongy, who also has a useful chance.

A debut winner at Sandown a fortnight ago, Chief Whip looks capable of improving markedly with experience and he is the preferred choice under Sean Levey.

Paul Hanagan can clinch the Amazing O'Mahony & Miss Bunn Pembroke Cup on KHALAAS, trained by William Haggas.

A winner at Newcastle in May, the gelding failed to justify favouritism over seven furlongs in handicap company at Newmarket last time when fourth to Mount Tahan. This shift up to one mile should suit him better.