Jeremy Noseda's progressive three-year-old Bergamo is well worth waiting for in the last race of the day today, the Breydon Water Handicap at Yarmouth.

The three-year-old has been crying out for a longer trip since opening his account over a mile and a half at Beverley in May, but that has not stopped him from running cracking races on his last two starts. He was a creditable sixth to Elmutabaki in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot before being beaten less than a length into sixth place behind Two Socks at Kempton last Wednesday.

The extra quarter-mile of today's event should see him return to the winner's enclosure.

Noseda can land the first leg of an across-the-card double with Goombayland in the Mark Penniket 40th Birthday Maiden Stakes at Epsom's evening fixture.

Goombayland caught the eye of punters and the racecourse stewards on his debut at Thirsk six weeks ago, making steady headway from off the pace without ever being able to land a blow at the leaders.

Trainer, jockey and horse were punished under the `non-triers' rule and the three-year-old returns to the track for the first time since. If progressing from his first outing, he will surely prove a tough nut to crack.

Random Kindness, who made a bold bid under top weight at Sandown earlier this month, can gain reward in the John Bloor Memorial Handicap (for the Operatic Society Challenge Cup) at Brighton.

American rider Gary Stevens kicked for home over two furlongs out on Roger Ingram's handicapper only to be collared in the closing stages and had to settle for fourth spot behind Tramline.

That race was over a mile and three-quarters and the drop back to a mile and a half will suit the course and distance winner.

Tsunami, who started life in a seller with Nigel Tinkler last year, has shaped well in two maidens for David Elsworth this term. Her turn can finally come in the Weatherbys Turf News Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

Goretski has struck form of late, taking a five-furlong handicap at Hamilton Park last week in good style by two lengths from Tinker's Surprise.

The Nigel Tinkler-trained sixyear-old took time to find his feet last term when he went on to win four times and it appears to be a similar story so far this year, as he has been unplaced on his first four starts.

Goretski had dropped 11lb in the weights before his latest victory so he still has some leeway to defy his 6lb penalty in the Hornby Handicap at Catterick.

Peter Walwyn hasn't had a season to remember so far but Khasayl can go one better from her racecourse debut and take the Mendip Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Bath.

Former champion jockey Michael Roberts is set for a flying return to his native South Africa this weekend.

His agent Michael Tanner explained yesterday: "He is going to ride in the July Handicap on Saturday, which is their biggest race of the year.

"He tries to go back for the race every year if at all possible and he will be riding Classic Flag, who was last year's winner and is one of the favourites this time."

Roberts, 11-times champion jockey in South Africa before his move to Britain, will be back in Britain in time to renew his partnership with Coronation Stakes winner Balisada in next Wednesday's Greene King Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket.

British racing received a boost yesterday with news that the Levy Board's contribution to prize-money for 2000 will be £34million - up by £1.5million (4.6 per cent) on this year.