SUPPORTERS of Speedy Sam (2.20) will be hoping he can live up to his name by landing the first at York this afternoon.

Trainer Karl Burke has always held the son of Medicean in the highest regard, a lofty opinion vindicated when Speedy Sam made all under an enterprising ride by Andrew Elliott to claim a decent prize at Goodwood in August.

Karl then opted to try his charge in better company, a switch which proved well worthwhile since the selection galloped on with tremendous resolution to secure third spot in an above-average Classified Ascot contest.

Neil Callan was in the driving seat that day, but happily Speedy Sam is now reunited with Elliott who gets on so well with the Middleham raider, and has the added advantage of being to take a valuable 5lb off his back.

George Moore doesn't have many two-year-old winners, but Nota Liberata (2.50) might prove the exception to the rule in the Acorn Web Offset Nursery.

Even though Nota Liberata has been kept busy all summer he seems not to be feeling the pinch, in fact there are serious grounds to believe the colt remains on an upward curve judged by Monday's excellent second placing at Pontefract.

With Glenbuck's (3.25) winning roll showing no signs of stopping, a magnificent five-timer beckons in the TSG Stakes.

Alan Bailey's gelding continues to laugh in the face of the Official Handicapper, who despite continually shoving him up in the weights simply cannot get to grips with the fast-improving three-year-old.

Yesterday's deluge mean that underfoot conditions are set to be very testing on the Knavesmire, however that won't hinder Charlotte Vale (5.05).

Michael Hammond's mud-loving mare made a satisfactory return from a three-month break when sneaking into the frame at Ayr's Western Meeting.

She looked a little ring-rusty on that occasion, coming on and off the bridle until getting her second wind to make steady late headway in the home straight.

I feel certain the spin will have sharpened her up, which combined with the booking of top young jockey, Liam Jones, augurs encouragingly for a big run from Charlotte Vale in the closing Betfair Apprentice Training Series Finale Stakes.

* Frankie Dettori landed a 5-1 plus double on two horses that broke course records at Lingfield.

Despite the wet conditions, Descartes smashed the best time for a mile and a half by a full second, while Rainbow Promises bettered the six-furlong record on the Polytrack surface by half a second.

The latter earned a 40-1 quote with the sponsors for the Stan James 1000 Guineas with a winning debut in the six-furlong Book Your Christmas Party Here Maiden Fillies Stakes.

As soon as Dettori took it up around the bend there was only one result and the Brian Meehan-trained 10-11 favourite sped away to score by five lengths from Laura's Best.

Dettori said: ''The trainer told me that she was very special and after that I cannot disagree.''

Stan James agreed and gave the winner a 40-1 quote for the 1000 Guineas.

The Italian completed his brace on Godolphin's Descartes in the NCP Space Proving Handicap.

Dettori settled his mount well and made his challenge two furlongs out to score on the 9-4 favourite by a length from Transvestite.