PHILIP Feanny's EL PONDEROSO ran a cracker in defeat to POTCHEEN on last and should get the better of old rival DOUBLE THE HONEY in tomorrow's open allowance at 1000 metres straight.

DOUBLE THE HONEY was slowly into stride and forced to rush into the pace set by EL PONDEROSO in the January 26 race, causing him to finish six lengths fifth at 1100 metres.

A much sharper start could see Wayne DaCosta's DOUBLE THE HONEY putting up a better fight, especially at 1000 metres straight, but EL PONDEROSO looked really strong against POTCHEEN, who had to be ridden all out to beat him by a nose.

three-month lay-up

That was EL PONDEROSO's third start since returning from a three-month lay-up on December 8 and was, by far, his best effort since, suggesting he is rounding into top shape.

Most important, too, is that the handicaps remain in EL PONDEROSO's favour, 55.0 kilos, to DOUBLE THE HONEY's 57.0.

The track bias over the 1000-metre straight course is also to EL PONDEROSO's liking at post-position seven whereas DOUBLE THE HONEY will break from gate one.

Though it's an eight-horse field and the main gate will be shifted somewhat to mid-track, to compensate for the bias, Shane Ellis aboard EL PONDEROSO should be able to rate his mount better as he will have a full view of all the runners.

Form players should have a field day tomorrow as BUBBLING ANGELINE and down-in-class NATURALLY EVIL look set to start a Feanny triple with EL PONDEROSO as the closer.

BUBBLING ANGELINE was stopped by United States-bred FORCE DE JOUR on December 28. She makes her three-year-old debut at 1100 metres in the day's opening event, moving sweetly at exercise with stablemate KIPLING WEEKEND.

challenged

The classy filly pressed and challenged FORCE DE JOUR down the backstretch and into the lane before the foreign-bred colt moved away inside the last furlong at 1400 metres.

JANIBOUTICE produced a scintillating 58.4 from the gate Monday morning but, in three matchups, has never mounted a challenge against FORCE DE JOUR as BUBBLING ANGELINE did on last.

NATURALLY EVIL, who has also been working with BUBBLING ANGELINE, reports off a four-month lay-up and among $450,000 claimers. She obviously has a problem but has looked fit enough at exercise to be given the nod.

Elsewhere on the card, DaCosta's HOVER CRAFT should land the fifth after staying on for third at 1000 metres straight off a five-month lay-up two weeks ago.

Round off a fine day with an Anthony Nunes double - SANGO in the sixth and RELAMPAGO in the eighth.

-A.W.