BEVERLEY'S racing season starts tomorrow with the prospect of a Tim Easterby horse winning the Leconfield Classified Stakes for the second successive year.

The Great Habton trainer, whose River Times won the race a year ago, can triumph tomorrow with Jo Mell, who will be partnered by Kevin Darley, rider of two winners at Pontefract yesterday.

A terrific servant to the Easterby yard down the years, Jo Mell remains a very able performer over seven furlongs and a mile.

The key to him is the ground and with conditions tomorrow sure to be testing this mud-loving gelding should be in his element.

Easterby can also score with Castanea Sativa in the Bridlington Bay Fillies Handicap over a mile and a half.

Although she failed to make a show on her reappearance at Ripon recently, that race was over a mile and a quarter, which Castanea Sativa found to be on the sharp side.

A stiffer stamina test tomorrow will be very much in favour of this stoutly-bred three-year-old, who finished a good second on similarly soft ground at Chester last season.

The second day of Newmarket's Craven meeting is highlighted by the Group 3 Weatherbys Earl Of Sefton Stakes, which I fancy Shiva to win for the second successive season.

Henry Cecil's filly is a top-notch performer, especially with give in the ground. Even though she has to concede weight all-round, the task should not be beyond her. Richard Quinn has the mount.

The Victor Chandler European Free Handicap offers several three-year-olds with Classic pretensions the chance to shine.

King's Best makes most appeal in this seven furlongs Listed event. Although a disappointment in his final start last season, in the Dewhurst Stakes, Sir Michael Stoute's colt had previously won both his races, including one at York's Ebor meeting.

He can be quite headstrong, but is a horse with lots of natural talent and is awarded the Nap vote.