A section of the large crowd which turned up at Caymanas Park for last Saturday's McKay Jamaica Derby Day. The derby was won by RELAMPAGO. The Anthony-trained colt is owned by Barabadian Elias Haloute. - Colin Hamilton

UNCLE TAF ran a big race behind COMMANDING CHIEF, TRADITIONAL PRINCE and TYPEWRITER on April 26, making him a tough horse to beat in tomorrow's open allowance at 1500 metres.

Trainer Solomon Sharpe has even allowed Shane Ellis to go overweight at 54.0 kilos on the gelding, which should have carried 52.5, signifying confidence in his charge's chances.

UNCLE TAF chased COMMANDING CHIEF into the lane on April 26, staying in splits of 23.0, 46.2 and was still around for the 1:11.3 a furlong out in the 1400-metre event.

So torrid were the splits that TYPEWRITER, who returned to win next time out, had a tough time staying in touch and failed by a half length to snatch second from TRADITIONAL PRINCE.

Carrying 118lbs, UNCLE TAF finished two lengths behind TYPEWRITER, form that cannot be overlooked in a cheaper field and similar distance.

Last year's Governor's Cup winner and Derby runner-up to PERFECT NEIGHBOUR, UNCLE TAF, has looked better with each race since returning off a seven-month layoff on February 1.

He won back-to-back races prior to his fourth-place run behind COMMANDING CHIEF and TYPEWRITER, the country's top local handicappers in excess of 1400 metres.

RAGING PROSPECT and MILITARY MOVE, both five-year-olds, are deadly sprinter-stayers, especially going two turns. However, they are suspect against splits which take them out of their comfort zone too early before they catch a second wind and change gears.

That's exactly what UNCLE TAF is capable of doing. A four-year-old with less mileage on his clock than his older rivals, the chestnut gelding can afford to dictate the fractions down the backstretch and steal a march leaving the three-furlong marker.

Form players shouldn't be shy to throw their cash behind the first double, MARLEY'S GLORY-STREET DANCER, and close triples with RUMBLE in the seventh.

MARLEY'S GLORY reproduced his 1:28.4 to win his second race from as many starts two Saturdays ago. After winning by 15 lengths, he tackles 1820 metres tomorrow, and ought to be followed until he faces worthwhile opposition.

STREET DANCER ran really well in the 1000 Guineas before fading out of contention. She returns treated with lasix tomorrow, and has been zipping around the track in the mornings, making her a cinch among non-winners of two at 1200 metres.

RUMBLE debuts in the seventh, forward enough to land the three-year-old maiden event at 1000 metres round. She kept pace with AGAKHAN and BUTLER CABIN at exercise in January. She went missing but emerged in April, still looking decent enough to get off the mark.