CANDICE finally gets the chance to put her Vodafone Oaks claims on the line at Goodwood tomorrow after missing other Classic trials because of soft ground.

Conditions at the Sussex track for the Victor Chandler Lupe Stakes should be near perfect for the daughter of Caerleon, who is quoted as low as 10-1 with Ladbrokes for the fillies' Classic at Epsom on June 8.

Candice was a 33-1 shot a few of weeks ago but money began to pour on the Ed Dunlop-trained filly just after Ameerat had landed the Sagitta 1000 Guineas.

On the last of her three starts as a two-year-old Candice had finished only a neck behind Ameerat in the Rothmans Royals May Hill Stakes at Doncaster last September when they were third and second respectively behind Karasta.

Candice, who had Oaks favourite Flight Of Fancy ahead of her in second spot when she was third to Summer Symphony on her debut at Newmarket last July, got off the mark at Chepstow the following month.

She can begin her 2001 campaign in fine style by booking her place in theEpsom line-up with victory in this Listed race worth £30,000 over a mile and a quarter tomorrow.

Dunlop looks set for a good day as Moon Solitaire has excellent prospects in the Chichester Festival Theatre Conditions Stakes.

A winner of a 10-furlong handicap at this meeting 12 months ago, the four-year-old got off the mark this term with a brave front-running performance at Newmarket earlier this month.

Although he only held off Shamaiel by a head in a 17-runner affair at headquarters, Moon Solitaire was always in control and the extra two furlongs this time should not be a problem.

Reel Buddy gave a great boost to the form of Newmarket's Victor Chandler European Free Handicap when carrying top weight of 9st 7lb to victory in a 20-runner handicap over the same seven furlongs recently.

Richard Hannon's charge had finished third to Clearing and Palace Affair (a winner since) on his seasonal debut.

He can make his class tell in the richest race on the card, the £50,000 ABN Ambro Stakes (Showcase Handicap).

The Barry Hills-trained Seven No Trumps looks to hold the aces in the opening Fairclough Homes Stakes (Handicap) judged on his game defeat of Mister Mal at Doncaster two weeks ago.

At Folkestone's National Hunt fixture, Oro Street can make amends for anunlucky run at Bangor earlier this month by lifting the Fox Electronics Surveillance Systems Handicap Hurdle.

David Bridgwater's five-year-old was staying on strongly from two out when a mistake at the final flight cost him a winning chance. He still stuck on for third place just three and a quarter lengths behind the winner.

Staying over jumps, Gunner Welburn can take the honours at the first meeting at Cheltenham since the foot and mouth crisis.

This is an all hunter chase fixture with Gunner Welburn having his first race since he took the Martell Fox Hunters Chase over a circuit of the Grand National course at Aintree last month.

Caroline Bailey's nine-year-old can follow up that impressive 13-length win over stable companion Secret Bay in the £12,000-added Faucets Perrin And Rowe Classical Bathroom Fittings Champion Hunters' Chase.