BARRY HILLS reports his horses to be thriving again after a period in the doldrums and the proof of the pudding should come courtesy of Shadow Casting in the Panmure Gordon Stakes Handicap at Sandown tonight.

Unraced as a juvenile this half-sister to Solar Flight failed to trouble the leaders when fifth of eight to The Dilettanti on her racecourse debut at Bath in May.

Although defeated the Warning filly went into a good few notebooks for she went off the 11 to 2 second favourite to land a maiden at Chepstow earlier this month.

The faith of her backers proved to be justified as she came home a neck in front of Santella Katie. with her 10 other rivals strung out further behind.

Taking her inexperience into account it was an impressive performance from Shadow Casting and one which stands her in good stead for a future which should see her progress further.

Ground conditions at Haydock were against Clive Brittain's Tudor Island and he was allowed home in his own time when he beat just one of nine rivals on his seasonal bow.

Thunderstorms permitting, the seven-year-old should have conditions more to his liking tonight when he contests the Jennifer's Diary Handicap.

Tudor Island generally runs well when fresh and can prove the point after a 46-day lay-off since Haydock to land this stiff mile and three quarters event.

Walter Swinburn visits the Jockey Club today hoping to finally win the approval he needs to return to race riding alter a five-month absence.

The jockey will appear before the Licensing Committee in London, armed with the results of independent medical examinations that support his comeback case.

Swinburn, aged 34, has been out of action since suffering head, shoulder and rib injuries in a fall that almost claimed his life in Hong Kong in February.