Everest, currently performing at the peak of his powers, bids to complete a notable hat-trick for Norton trainer Brian Ellison at Pontefract tomorrow.

After valuable wins in recent weeks at Newmarket and Newbury, both gained in photo-finishes, the seven-year-old aims to extend his sequence in Pontefract's feature event, the Pomfret Handicap, which boasts £20,000 in prize money.

Everest, who is probably more at home on a straight track than a turning one, has another mountain to climb here in his hat-trick bid. But he is in such rude health at present that he can not easily be dismissed.

A horse who likes to be produced late, and who has been ridden to his recent victories by Kieren Fallon and Dane O'Neill, the Ryedale gelding will, tomorrow, be partnered by Ellison's accomplished apprentice Tom Eaves, whose 3lb allowance will come in handy.

Witchry has strong claims in the Tolent Construction Maiden Stakes. The Michael Jarvis-trained juvenile has shaped well in both his races to date, at Newbury and Newmarket. He can return from a short break here to make it third-time-lucky.

My Nap vote is awarded to Never Without Me in the £15,000 toteplacepot Handicap. He looked unlucky to be beaten by Marshallspark at Leicester last time and is taken to turn the tables on better terms here.

At Ascot, David Nicholls, based near Easingwold, has a nine-strong bunch of runners lined-up for the £70,000 Hong Kong Jockey Club Handicap Sprint, and the best of them could well be Proud Boast, owned by Peter Savill.

The mount of Sheriff Hutton jockey Kevin Darley, who is retained as number-one rider to Savill, the former BHB chairman, Proud Boast suffered a luckless run at Ayr recently when second to Ptarmigan Ridge.

That performance did, at least, confirm Proud Boast's well-being, and although she faces a daunting task in this hugely-competitive handicap, she looks well drawn in stall one and is fancied to have a big say in the outcome of the finish.

Mutasallil, unbeaten in two outings this season, will be a tough nut to crack in the Fullerton Trophy, while Goodbye Mr Bond, a revelation this summer, is capable of extending his winning sequence to five in the Cathay Pacific Handicap.

Frankie Dettori bypasses his beloved Ascot to ride at Newmarket, where his mounts include a very interesting Godolphin newcomer in Oude in the NSPCC Maiden Stakes.

A very well-regarded colt, Oude promises to be something special and merits serious consideration as he bids to make a winning debut in a field, which includes his stablemate, the likewise previously unraced Dahman, the mount of Kerrin McEvoy.

Zero Tolerance, trained near Thirsk by David Barron, ran well for a long way from a poor draw in the John Smith's Cup at York earlier this month. He should not be overlooked in the NSPCC Family Day Handicap.

Sunday's tips:

Pontefract

2.15 Witchry, 2.50 Bendarshan, 3.20 Mr Tambourine Man, 3.55 Everest, 4.30 Never Without Me (Nap), 5.05 Choir Leader, 5.40 Blue Maeve.

Ascot

2.00 Mutasallil, 2.30 Goodbye Mr Bond, 3.00 Proud Boast, 3.35 Southern Africa, 4.10 Uncle John, 4.45 Liberty Flag.

Newmarket

2.40 Oude, 3.10 Magic Amigo, 3.45 Hazewind, 4.20 Disguise, 4.55 Zero Tolerance, 5.25 Weet For Me.

There are no other meetings tomorrow.

Updated: 10:59 Saturday, July 24, 2004