John Ferneley is taken to complete his three-timer in the Panmure Gordon Handicap at Sandown this evening. Paul Cole's progressive three-year-old has won both starts this season but not without incident.

The son of Polar Falcon looked virtually unrideable on his only start as a juvenile. He still looked wayward on his reappearance when winning an apprentice maiden at Folkestone in April, drifting badly left in the closing stages before holding on to score by three lengths from Saville Row, having built up a commanding advantage over three furlongs out.

Obviously not a mount for an inexperienced rider, he was ridden by Richard Quinn next time in a classified stakes at Thirsk. Wearing a crossed-noseband, the gelding was skilfully handled to get home by half a length from Silk St John.

The Whatcombe runner has since missed some tempting engagements because of the firm ground but he now gets his first chance in handicap company at the Esher track.

Kieren Fallon takes over from the injured Quinn so John Ferneley will get the strong handling he needs and, blinkered for the first time, is awarded the nap to take his tally to three out of three for the term.

Storyteller can defy the welter burden of 10st 3lb in the concluding Barometer Handicap. Michael Dods's tough sprinter registered his fifth win of the campaign at Pontefract last Friday and his weight today includes a 6lb penalty for his length-and-a-half defeat of Rude Awakening.

With the stalls on the far side Storyteller, drawn nine of 12, can take advantage of his favoured position to win again.

A pointer to Storyteller's chances will be the running of Johayro in the Tote Handicap on Catterick's afternoon card. Jim Goldie's five-year-old lowered Storyteller's colours by one and a half lengths at Ayr last week and is in the form of his life.

Raised 10lb for that victory, Johayro is still worth an interest to land this "showcase" race and boost Storyteller's chances in the process.

Stately Home warms up for a tilt at the next week's Galway Plate with a run in the Plyvine Catering Handicap Hurdle at Worcester. The prolific winning chaser bids for his first victory over the smaller obstacles in two and a half years.

Trainer Peter Bowen explained: "He runs over hurdles because there is nothing else over here for him at the moment. "I think he is coming back to his best and he should run well."

Bowen's opinion should be heeded, and Stately Home can demonstrate his well being with a victory here.