IMPROVING Double Gold can make a successful transition from claiming company by taking the Old Dalby Handicap at Leicester today. The Brian Meehan-trained three-year-old is in the form of her life and is on the verse of a hat-trick after two victories in claimers.

After failing to distinguish herself in two outings in handicap company at the beginning of the season, the daughter of Statoblest finished a more respectable second in a Beverley claimer at the end of April

On the strength of that performance she was sent off 4 to 6 favourite for a similar event at Warwick and hardly gave her followers an anxious moment.

Pulling hard in the lead for Kieren Fallon, she accelerated away from her opponents passing the two-furlong marker and was eight lengths to the good over Ronquista d'Or by the time she passed the post.

She was similarly impressive in landing a claiming event at Newbury last Wednesday evening. Again making all under Fallon, Double Gold lengthened clear approaching the final quarter mile and held a five-length call over Ludo at the line.

There were seven claims for the filly's services after that race but, amazingly, it was Meehan's which was first out of the hat. There is little doubt that the upturn in Double Gold's fortunes has been down in part to the fact that she has been allowed to cast her nets in easier waters.

However, there is equally little doubt that she has progressed since the start of the season and Double Gold is napped to defy a 5lb penalty for her Newbury win.

Luca Cumani, whose Blue Goblin landed a nationwide gamble in Saturday's Coral Sprint at Newmarket, can take the John Ferneley Fillies' Handicap with Kilshanny.

Having finished fourth in a one-mile maiden on her reappearance at Nottingham at the end of April, the bay just failed to catch Janie's Boy in a similar event at Thirsk last month.

At Hamilton, Tim Etherington's Principal Boy can win his second race on turf in the Sunday Mail Handicap.

The four-year-old got of the mark on grass here over an extended mile last month, looking in trouble three furlongs out but surging through to lead entering the last and pulling five lengths clear of Nobby Barnes. The extra furlong here will prove very much in his favour and Principal Boy can follow up.