IT'S fast approaching two years since DR IRV last visited the winners' enclosure – but North Yorkshire owner Irvine Lynch is hoping that the wait will finally be over at Thirsk this afternoon.

The Double Gloucester Handicap over two miles represents a winning opportunity for the Micky Hammond-trained gelding, who, because of his lack of success, has slipped down the weights to a mark of 70.

On his latest start at Wetherby, Dr Irv finished a one-length second to Hallstatt with PJ McDonald, who takes the mount again today, in the saddle.

A strongly-run race, with the leaders coming back to him in the closing stages, would be an ideal scenario for Dr Irv to shine. Lynch will be keeping his fingers tightly crossed that a fifth career win for the six-year-old can be achieved.

Darlington trainer Michael Dods holds the key to the opening Yorkshire Blue Maiden Auction Stakes with MECCA'S MISSUS.

The juvenile has finished second in both her starts to date, at Ayr and on this course earlier this month when she found Quick N Quirky too strong.

Mecca's Missus is nicely drawn in this six-furlong dash and is napped to make it third-time-lucky. Connor Beasley has the mount.

GREEB, the mount of Paul Hanagan, will be a popular choice of punters in the featured Farmhouse Cheshire Handicap.

The Charlie Hills-trained gelding ran an encouraging first race of the season at Nottingham to finish second to Lexington Abbey. The four-year-old should strip fitter and sharper now and looks capable of defying top weight over six furlongs.

The promising CALIMA BREEZE (5.00) and Anthony Brittain's GREY DESTINY (5.30), who steps up to seven furlongs after a couple of creditable efforts over six, are also worthy of attention at Thirsk.

Up at Perth, POLITENESS makes appeal in the Scottish Game Fair 3rd, 4th and 5th July Handicap Hurdle.

Trained by Rose Dobbin, the gelding came good at Wetherby a month ago when scoring by two and a half lengths and looking on really good terms with himself.

A 4lb rise may not be enough to anchor Politeness here and, as a previous course winner, he is fancied to go well with Craig Nichol again taking the mount.

IMPROVISATION will be hard to beat in the opening Strongbow Dark Fruit Novices' Hurdle.

A decent horse on the Flat, where he reached a rating in the mid-90s, John Ferguson's charge won by 12 lengths on his hurdling bow at Huntingdon. He is selected to defy a 7lb penalty in this four-runner contest.

Perth's feature event is the Grosvenor Casinos Handicap Chase, in which KILBREE KID will not be short of supporters.

Winner of his last two races, at Ludlow and on this course, Tom George's gelding is in cracking form. Reunited with Paddy Brennan, he looks sure to go well.

LOS NADIS (3.40), who goes well on this course, was beaten less than a length here earlier this month and can show his junior rivals how it's done.

Also worth noting is JUST AWAKE (4.40), a 12-length winner on this course in May and a faller, four out, when poised to make a bold bid at Kelso next time.