WITH all the rain we have had over the last couple of days we will see some big-priced winners in what will be the larger fields declared in the softer going.

There are a lot of horses who have been waiting for this better going including Henr Cecil's Touch N Fey, who has been noted doing some good work on the Newmarket Gallops and must surely take the 3.15 at Salisbury on Thursday.

If my Lady Iona gets in the last race at Hamilton on Wednesday at 8.35, she will have a good chance at a big price in a very big field maiden handicap.

I dreamt last week that The Nurse had won at 11-1, so Kevin has entered it also at Hamilton on Wednesday so I will have a little each way on her. She is owned by Candice Reilly from Dunsop Bridge.

Saffizz has come out of his surgery very well and is back cantering on the gallops. Mark Birch the ex-Jockey who rode him out last week, says he is much stronger after his rest and has not lost much of his fitness.

He's bang on target for the St Leger Yearling Sales Race on Wednesday, September 8.

I hope you are still following Dandy Nicholls, he won the last race at Thirsk last night. Kevin Ryan's horses are bouncing again after a couple of flat weeks so I would follow his runners over the next couple of weeks. At Catterick on Friday, Les Eyre runs Chemcast. This horse - now owned by ex-football referee Neil Midgeley - is showing signs of returning to form.

There are a couple of races planned for Swan At Whalley in Scotland during August and he is looking in great shape.

My nap of the week runs at Catterick, Secret Conquest trained by David Barker who rates this horse very highly and Fergal Lynch will be in the saddle.

Fergal tells me this is one of the best two year olds he has ridden.

I was devastated to hear on Friday that an old favourite horse of mine, Royal Dome, who I have tipped regularly in my column, collapsed and died on the gallops at Martyn Wane's gallops.

Have a good week.

TIPS FOR THE WEEK:

Wednesday (Hamilton) - Lady Iona (EW)

Wednesday (Hamilton) - Mr Fortywinks (NAP)

Thursday (Salisbury) - Touch N' Fly (NAP)

Friday (Catterick) - Secret Conquest (NAP)

Friday (Catterick) - Chemcast (EW)

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.