/ Editor / 02 June 2007 /

Although definitely in the veteran stage of his career, Digital still retains enthusiasm for the game and may be the value choice in the competitive 7f handicap at Brighton (14:50).

Mick Channon's ten-year-old has raced an incredible 103 times on turf and, while clearly not the force of old, certainly looks capable of landing this event off his current mark.

His last win came around this time of the season last year and he has been in fair form this term without troubling the judges.

His ability to handle a bit of cut gives him an advantage over some of his rivals here, though the most significant factor could be the booking of a professional jockey having been apprentice or amateur ridden on his last six starts.

Although the gelding can front run, it is likely he will be held up here for a late charge and, if still in contention as the furlong pole looms, he could be the one finishing strongest of all.

Resplendent Nova is slowly coming back to form after some indifferent performances earlier in the season. The stable will take much encouragement from his effort last time out at Newmarket where, although finishing down the field, he was not beaten too far and showed signs he was returning to the form which saw him score over course and distance last October (just 2lbs higher here) before posting five straight second place finishes at this trip.

Quietly supported before his last success, if there are bits of money around for him here it could suggest the stable feel he is ready to strike on a surface he relishes.

It is the forecast slow surface which negates from the chance of the likely market leader Ivory Lace. The mare's last three victories have all come at this track, although crucially they came on firm going. However, she has been in good form of late and comes here fresh after a month's break.

Those looking for a consistent sort likely to land a place will want to be on the side of Quantum Leap who rarely fails to run up to his mark over this trip. A winner on his penultimate start on good to soft going, the ten-year-old will be another who may be finishing fast and late.

Takitwo was a well-beaten favourite last time at Lingfield and there appeared to be no valid excuse that day. It was the same story the time before at Wolverhampton and there will be plenty of his supporters on those days who will not want to get their fingers burnt again. A return to turf looks a plus as does the booking of Seb Sanders but, on balance, there may be plenty willing to lay the four-year-old in both the win and place market given his recent inconsistency.

Mercury rising

Brighton stages a fascinating maiden race at 15:50 with many of the top stables represented but the contest could fall the way of Sylvester Kirk's Mercury Blue.

The three-year-old put in a fine effort when unfancied on her debut at Salisbury recently where she chased home the impressive Fretwork over 10f. That winner holds a Royal Ascot entry and, if Mercury Blue can improve on that effort on this slightly different type of track, then she may take all the beating.

Her price should be made by the presence of some other lightly-raced types with John Gosden's Set The Scene appearing to be the biggest danger. Also holding a Royal Ascot entry, the one-time Oaks hope was not suited by a slow pace on her second run of the season run at Warwick. The three-year-old looks set to be suited by this step up in trip, although in-play traders who believe her capable will want to see a strong pace from the outset for her to show her best.

Sir Mark Prescott's Artless improved for a step up in trip last time and looks set to go well again here. Although in time the four-year-old may have more success in handicaps, any significant market support would suggest the stable feel the filly is ready to strike.

Andrew Balding's runners are starting to hit a bit of form and the market could provide the best evidence of the chance of his Driving Miss Suzie. Although the filly shown little in the way of ability, this step up in trip looks likely to suit and William Buick takes off a useful 5lbs.

Luca Cumani is another trainer whose horses are beginning to come to life and, if the market speaks in favour of his debutant Lion Ridge, traders would do well to listen. The best bred of the field, this trip looks set to suit, though some traders will feel this is a tall order on his debut given the quality of opposition.

Boy to hold sway at Brighton

It looks set to be pretty tight between the two market principals in the closing race at Brighton (16:50) but preference goes to the course and distance winner Hereford Boy.

Dean Ivory's charge has begun to deliver a useful consistency about his form which was rewarded two starts ago at this track when beating Comrade Cotton. His victory that day was helped by the three-year-old grabbing the far side rail just after halfway and if similar tactics are employed again, he could once again prove hard to pass.

It is possible that this extended 5f may just test out the stamina of Diminuto whose best efforts have come over the absolute minimum. With the slower ground unlikely to help him, and his ability well known by the handicapper, there may be many willing to take on the filly, especially if her price gets too short.

Mr Loire has shown ability in the past but is not the most reliable sort. Connections will have been pleased with his latest effort (over course and distance) when, despite finishing last of four, he was not beaten too far. Blinkers replace a visor worn last time and if this headgear suits him better then he could rate a danger in a contest lacking depth.

Silver Hotspur has shown little since joining Michael Wigham's stable but had shown some ability when with Peter Chapple-Hyam last term. With connections not adverse to a gamble if they feel their horse is well handicapped, the market should provide the necessary information for traders and this step back in trip seems likely to suit.

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