IT WAS in 1993 that Mark Johnston won an autumn maiden race at Redcar with Double Trigger. History relates that the flashy-coloured chestnut went on to become one of the outstanding stayers of modern times.

This afternoon, the Double Trigger Maiden Stakes takes place at the same course and Middleham-based Johnston is represented by the likely winner SOLIDIER IN ACTION, the mount of Paul Mulrennan.

The juvenile showed clear signs of ability on his debut at Musselburgh, where he finished second after displaying glimpses of greenness at various stages of the race.

That experience should not have been wasted on him and although it is asking a lot to expect him to win here by a wide margin, which is what Double Trigger did when breaking his maiden, Soldier In Action is expected to take plenty of beating.

FIRST WHEAT represents Mick Easterby in the British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing Maiden Stakes (division two).

The mount of Graham Gibbons shaped with promise when third to Explosive Power on this course recently, doing all his best work late on after taking a while for the penny to drop as to what was required. He commands respect today with that race under his belt.

PONTY ROYALE, trained by Tim Easterby, has strong claims in the Watch Racing On 3 Devices Nursery Handicap. The filly beat 19 rivals on her latest outing on this course and is fancied to follow up under David Allan.

Great Habton-based Easterby can also land the Market Cross Jewellers Handicap with DEW POND, also the mount of Allan, who will be heading off as soon as the domestic season is finished to ride in India for the winter.

A course-and-distance winner earlier in the season, Dew Pond has proved most consistent. Another win may well be on the cards.

Over the sticks at Ayr, Nicky Richards can complete a double with Takingrisks and Imada.

The latter horse is of particular interest. Winner of a bumper at Newcastle last season and runner-up in another at Kelso, IMADA now switches to jumping in the Racing UK/EBF Novices' Hurdle. The gelding is napped to make a winning reappearance.

TAKINGRISKS runs in the Racing UK Maiden Hurdle, which opens the card. This is a race which may not take much to finish in front and this winning point-to-pointer may be up to making a successful debut under National Hunt rules.

HARRYS WHIM may be the answer to Racing UK Android App racinguk.com Handicap Chase. Trained by Maurice Barnes, the ten-year-old won nicely at Hexham earlier this month. He is fancied to oblige again with his fitness assured.

Norton trainer Malcolm Jefferson has his horses in good nick and RETRIEVE THE STICK is worth noting from his Newstead yard in the Watch On 3 Devices racinguk.com Anywhere Novices' Handicap Chase.

Brian Hughes' mount has not raced since finishing second at Hexham in May – but the six-year-old is open to further improvement this winter and is worthy of interest in this two-and-a-half miles event.

Punters should also make a note of the in-form TOUCH OF STEEL (2.45), who is bidding for a hat-trick of wins, and the Keith Dalgleish-trained MEET THE LEGEND (4.25), a good winner on his debut at Kelso who is selected to defy a penalty.