Can he still pack a punch? That's the question everyone will want answered at Ascot tomorrow as the most popular horse in training returns to action at the age of eleven.

Persian Punch, who took his earnings through the £1m barrier last season, resumes his sparkling career in the Bovis Homes Sagaro Stakes over two miles.

The David Elsworth-trained gelding enjoyed a superb campaign last season when his relentless galloping style was very much to the fore, not least in the Doncaster Cup and, on his final appearance in the Jockey Club Cup at Newmarket, where he forced his nose back in front on the line after staring defeat firmly in the face.

There is no doubt that Persian Punch will get a reception fit for a king if he manages to return to action in a blaze of glory tomorrow.

But it is asking a lot to expect him to win this Group 3 prize without a preparatory run, and my vote goes to Millenary, one of his old adversaries, who will have the assistance of Richard Quinn.

A field of 14 will face the starter in this stamina-test. And it is not only Persian Punch who will be returning to the fray.

Royal Rebel, who missed the whole of last season, is also in the field, Mark Johnston's former Gold Cup winner having recovered from the injury which threatened his career.

In the Velcourt Group Paradise Stakes, New Seeker is fancied to start the season just as he ended the last one, on a winning note.

The four-year-old, trained at Lambourn by Clive Cox, went from strength to strength last season and promises to prove even better this term. It is significant that top jockey Johnny Murtagh has been booked for the mount tomorrow.

Shady Reflection looked a filly of some potential last season and John Gosden's three-year-old is selected to make a successful reappearance in the Carey Group Swinley Stakes.

Gosden can also lift the Bovis Homes Conditions Stakes with the speedy Prince Charming, a winner on his debut at Kempton earlier this month.

If Paradise, a good winner on his comeback at Haydock, should prove hard to beat in the Bovis Homes Pavillion Stakes.

At Pontefract, Mrs Pankhurst has good prospects of winning the £15,000 Pontefract Borough Handicap for trainer Barry Hills and jhis ockey-son Michael.

A winning juvenile last season, Mrs Pankhurst finished a promising fifth on her reappearance at Doncaster last month after rearing in the stalls. She is open to improvement with that race tucked under her belt.

My Nap vote is awarded to Jake Black in the betfair.com Apprentice Series Handicap.

John Quinn's four-year-old, a dual winner on the sand during the winter ran a sound race back on turf last week and looks to have excellent prospects in this ten furlongs contest.

Wednesday's tips:

Ascot

2.10 Molcon, 2.40 Millenary, 3.15 Shady Reflection, 3.50 New Seeker, 4.25 If Paradise, 5.00 Prince Charming, 5.30 Harrison Point.

Pontefract

2.20 Beacon Star, 2.50 Lord of Methley, 3.25 Bolshevik, 4.00 Mrs Pankhurst, 4.35 Moonshaft, 5.05 Daytime Girl, 5.35 Jake Black (Nap).

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Cheltenham, Exeter and Kelso.

Updated: 13:13 Tuesday, April 27, 2004