Pekan Heights, a fluent winner on his seasonal reappearance at Nottingham, can double his score at Beverley tomorrow.

The three-year-old, trained at Newmarket by Ed Dunlop, bids for the C N Wilmot-Smith Retirement Handicap and is fancied to take all the beating.

Pekan Heights never gave his supporters any anxious moments at Nottingham earlier this month. Always well placed, he struck the front approaching the final quarter-mile and strode out really well to beat the favourite Beryl by a commanding three lengths.

Although raised 6lb by the handicapper as a result of that success, Pekan Heights can stay on top by scoring again tomorrow. Willie Ryan remains on board.

The Happy Birthday Dana Fillies' Handicap will not take a great deal of winning and it would be unwise to rule out Imani simply because she is set to shoulder top weight.

Pat Eddery's mount showed some fair form last term, winning at Newbury in July and subsequently running well in defeat.

Trained at Arundel in Sussex by John Dunlop, whose runners at Northern tracks are seldom sent for a change of air, Imani has the ability to shrug off 10st and is awarded the Nap vote.

The featured £10,000 William Hill Rated Handicap looks an ideal opportunity for River Times to gain a valuable success.

Tim Easterby's three-year-old ran out a convincing winner over this course and distance last week after making all the running under an enterprising ride from Kevin Darley.

Darley has the mount again tomorrow and River Times, with only a 3lb penalty, can oblige again.

Middleham trainer Mark Johnston has made a satisfactory start to the season and, optimistic of saddling 100 winners again this term, can add to his scoresheet with the well-regarded Double Baileys in the Moortown Median Auction Stakes.

This afternoon's meeting at Perth was abandoned because the course is waterlogged. There was an inch and a half of rain between 11.00am yesterday and early this morning.

An inspection was planned to take place this afternoon to assess prospects for tomorrow's card.

Clerk of the course Sam Morshead said: "With only showers forecast we are reasonably hopeful."

If the second day of the Perth Festival meeting goes ahead the highlight will be the Stewart Catherwood Memorial (Little Bay) Handicap Chase in which Avanti Express should take all the beating.

Charles Egerton's gelding made a belated seasonal reappearance at Market Rasen on Easter Monday and bounced back to winning form in good style.

Avanti Express has more on his plate tomorrow, but this smart parformer is expected to prove equal to the task. Norman Williamson has the mount.

The £10,000 Nelson Morrison Underwriting Agency Future Champions Novices' Hurdle offers You're Agoodun an excellent opportunity to chalk up a hat-trick.

Martin Pipe's seven-year-old has really come good in recent weeks and will have the services of champion jockey Tony McCoy.

Heart Of Avondale can continue Len Lungo's vintage campaign by winning the Tote Handicap Hurdle under a 6lb penalty.

Guineas entries stay high

Leading contenders for the Sagitta 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas all stood their ground for the first two classic races of 1999 at today's forfeit stages.

The 2,000 Guineas has 34 entries after the final forfeit stage for the £300,000 contest at Newmarket on May 1, including Commander Collins and Enrique, the joint favourites in most bookmakers' lists.

Enrique's trainer Henry Cecil has taken out recent Newbury disappointment Killer Instinct while others missing include the Godolphin quintet of Dubai Millennium, Houston Time, Iftitah, Jahaam and Timahs.

But Godolphin still have a strong hand with six entries, notably Island Sands, winner of both his starts as a juvenile.

The 1,000 Guineas on May 2 still has 36 entries. French raider Moiava is clear favourite.

Both races are taking place on the July course this year because of the building of the Millennium Grandstand on the Rowley Mile course.

The safety limit on the Bunbury Mile of the July course is 20, raising the possibilty that balloting out might have to take place.

There were 23 runners for the 1994 2,000 Guineas, 26 in 1982 and 24 in 1975. In the 1,000 Guineas there were 23 runners in 1980 and 25 in 1976.

Tomorrow's tips

BEVERLEY

2.10.............................Sunset Lady

2.40.............................Imani (Nap)

3.10.........................Pekan Heights

3.40.............................River Times

4.10........................Double Baileys

4.40..................................Twickers

PERTH

2.20................................Mely Moss

2.50.......................You're Agoodun

3.20...................Political Mandate

3.50........................Avanti Express

4.20.....................Captain Tancred

4.50..................Heart Of Avondale

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.