COUNTRY REEL, triumphant in the Gimcrack Stakes at York in August, has the chance of bagging another prestigious prize at Newmarket tomorrow.

The David Loder-trained juvenile lines-up for the £150,000 Shadwell Stud Middle Park Stakes, the feature race on the programme, and the centrepiece of Channel 4's televised coverage of the meeting.

Frankie Dettori again takes the mount on Country Reel, whose Gimcrack success came on the back of a maiden race victory on his debut. He showed all the right qualities on Knavesmire, speed, the ability to quicken and a determined attitude, and they should stand him in good stead again tomorrow.

The main stumbling block could be Elusive City, trained by Gerard Butler and the mount of Kieren Fallon. Winner of all his three races, including the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville last time, this talented colt has the form on the board to extend his unbeaten record. But he has looked a little temperamental at times, particularly in his attitude to the starting stalls, and, for all his ability, he might not be one to take a short-price about in such a competitive race.

Country Reel, still on the upgrade, will do for me in what promises to be a fascinating contest.

In the opening Cowlinge Nursery over five furlogs, Tender is fancied to gain her third success of the campaign.

David Cosgrove's juvenile gained her latest victory over this trip at Chester last month. With Jimmy Quinn in the saddle, Tender can add to her score tomorrow.

On a day when North Yorkshire stables look likely to play a starring role at HQ, David Nicholls can also get in on the act with Hurricane Floyd in the Nigel Davies-sponsored Rated Handicap over seven furlongs.

This talented four-year-old was my selection in last month's Ayr Gold Cup, but in the event, he finished out of the money in a race won by his stablemate Funfair Wane.

Hurricane Floyd gave the impression at Ayr that a step up in trip was called for and tomorrow's extra furlong should stand him in excellent stead. Olivier Peslier, the top French jockey, has the mount.

Lynda Ramsden can also get her name on the scoreboard, courtesy of nap selection Kangarilla Road in the

newmarketracecourses.co.uk Handicap.

Paul Hanagan's mount was a winner at York's August meeting and has since run a cracking race in defeat at Doncaster, where he finished sixth in a big field when trying to overcome a poor draw. He should make a bold bid tomorrow.

Tikkun, who made a belated return to action at Doncaster's St Leger meeting, ran out a good winner on that occasion and it would come as no surprise to see Roger Charlton's useful colt follow-up in the Shadwell Stud Joel Stakes. Steve Drowne again has the mount.

Thursday's tips:

NEWMARKET: 1.15 Tender, 1.45 Desert Star, 2.15 Tikkun, 2.50 Country Reel, 3.25 Hurricane Floyd, 4.00 Mumbling, 4.30 Kangarilla Road (Nap)

BRIGHTON: 1.55 Royal Fashion, 2.25 Blue Jannessa, 3.00 Finger Of Fate, 3.35 Thundergod, 4.10 Stormy Channel, 4.40 Concer Eto, 5.10 Fifth Edition

Updated: 12:04 Wednesday, October 02, 2002