What-A-Dancer can book his place in the Ayr Gold Cup by waltzing to an overdue victory at Redcar tomorrow.

The five-year-old, trained by Alan Swinbank, has finished second in three of his last five starts and was beaten only a head by Inchdura at Newbury last time after losing ground at the start.

That race was over seven furlongs, but Swinbank is convinced that this speedy horse will be equally effective over the six furlongs of tomorrow's Tote Exacta Handicap.

Victory for the gelding will be richly deserved after his near-misses, and it may also earn him a trip to Ayr in two weeks' time.

Swinbank, who is based at Melsonby near Richmond in North Yorkshire, can also hit the target with Pearson Glen in the Mussel Handicap.

The three-year-old confirmed recently that his winning turn was near when finishing fifth of 19 to Apache Point on Newcastle ground softer than ideal. Tomorrow's faster surface should suit him better.

The Clam Handicap over one mile and six furlongs will not take a great deal of winning, and my Nap selection Chaka Zulu makes plenty of appeal in the hands of Robert Winston.

The five-year-old has run creditably in two amateur riders' events this season -- his only two starts -- and will now benefit from the assistance of professional handling.

Formerly with William Haggas, Chaka Zulu is now trained by Ian Semple, who does well with 'second-hand' horses. A bold bid is anticipated.

After a nightmare first half of the season, Peter Makin now seems to have turned the corner and the trainer looks set for success with Queensway Quay in the Cockle Novice Auction Stakes.

An easy winner on his debut last week, Seb Sanders' mount is expected to have too much pace for these rivals.

The feature race at Salisbury is the £25,000 Lochsong Fillies' Showcase Handicap, in which Curfew will be hard to beat.

James Fanshawe's three-year-old has won at Newmarket and Yarmouth on her last two starts. A hat-trick looks on the cards here, despite a 6lb penalty.

John Dunlop has high hopes that Khulood will develop into a high-class filly, and the two-year-old puts her reputation on the line in the Dick Poole Fillies' Conditions Stakes.

A comfortable winner on her debut at Ascot, Khulood can cope with this step up in class under Richard Hills.

Dunlop and Hills can also score with the promising Alasil in the Butler & Co Novice Stakes.

Tomorrow's tips:

Redcar

2.00 Akshar, 2.30 King Revo, 3.00 Queensway Quay, 3.30 What-A-Dancer, 4.00 Chaka Zulu (Nap), 4.30 Tribal Prince, 5.00 Pearson Glen.

Salisbury

1.40 Mungo Park, 2.10 Khulood, 2.40 Snuggles, 3.10 Curfew, 3.40 Alasil, 4.10 Warrsan, 4.40 Harmony Hill, 5.10 Abajany.

Southwell

1.50 Hormuz, 2.20 Pont Neuf, 2.50 Polish Baron, 3.20 Rowan Express, 3.50 Noble Locks, 4.20 Tomthevic, 4.50 Justalord, 5.20 Distinctly Well.

Updated: 12:36 Wednesday, September 04, 2002