A 14-1 double at Windsor yesterday, when Kieren Fallon was serving a one-day ban, strengthened Frankie Dettori's lead over his arch-rival in the race for championship honours.

Dettori, now on 171 winners for the season, leads Fallon by eight with thirty days of the campaign remaining.

But the Italian is due to spend time riding at the Breeders' Cup and Melbourne Cup meetings at the end of this month, so the title battle looks sure to go right down to the wire.

Both jockeys head to Lingfield tomorrow, where Dettori could have the best of the contest.

His mount in division two of the Menzies Maiden Stakes, Balkan Leader, although a beaten favourite on his debut, is a colt fairly well regarded in the Godolphin camp. The two-year-old is sure to be wiser this time.

Kauri Forest, trained by James Fanshawe, gives Dettori another solid opportunity in division two of the Higg's International Maiden Stakes.

In the frame in all his three starts, Kauri Forest looks capable of winning at maiden level, and has every chance of opening his account here.

Dettori relies on a proven Polytrack performer in the Sport Newspapers Handicap in the shape of Regal Gallery.

Con Horgan's gelding, a Lingfield regular, is a course-and-distance winner and should go well tomorrow.

Fallon has some sound chances, not least aboard Alafzar in the Dawson News Selling Stakes. David Evans' six-year-old is a tried-and-tested performer on this all-weather course.

Dandouce gets my Nap vote in the W H Smith News Apprentice Handicap over six furlongs.

Trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam, the three-year-old has achieved some fair efforts in defeat this summer and looks capable of winning a modest race such as this.

Dandouce returns to action tomorrow after a seven-week break and will be fresher than most of his rivals.

Over the jumps at Exeter, Wizard Of Edge makes appeal in the Dean & Dyball Handicap Hurdle over two miles and three furlongs.

Already three times a winner this season, the four-year-old is also proven over this course and distance. The accomplished James Davies has the mount.

Wednesday's tips:

Lingfield

1.50 Mutanabi, 2.20 Balkan Leader, 2.50 Fantaisiste, 3.20 Regal Gallery, 3.50 Alafzar, 4.20 Admiral Compton, 4.50 Dandouce (Nap), 5.20 Kauri Forest.

Exeter

2.10 Knight Of Silver, 2.40 Important Boy, 3.10 Cloth Of Gold, 3.40 Dead-Eyed Dick, 4.10 Monticelli, 4.40 Wizard Of Edge.

Tomorrow's other race meeting is at Towcester.

Updated: 13:28 Tuesday, October 05, 2004