BEAUMONT can follow up a convincing success at Wolverhampton last week by landing the Thames Handicap at Southwell - rerouted from snowbound Wolverhampton - today.

The Jack Banks-trained six-year-old was in good form towards the end of last year and is carrying on in similar vein in 1996. Victorious in an eight-runner handicap at Southwell - beating Risky Tu by a length and three-quarters - Beaumont finished a respectable sixth in an amateur riders' race at the same course on his first outing of the New Year but was back in the winner's enclosure after a visit to Dunstall Park last Thursday.

Starting 4 to 1 second favourite for a handicap over a mile and a half, Beaumont was produced to lead by Ray Cochrane with three furlongs remaining and soon had matters settled. In the end he passed the post eight lengths advance of Mentalasanythin relishing every yard of the trip.

In that sort of form he is taken to make light of the 5lb penalty incurred for his Wolverhampton win.

Frankie Dettori, whose days as racing's most eligible bachelor are numbered, can land the `Number 1 in 1996' Handicap with Ertlon. Dettori, who on Monday announced his engagement to long-term girlfriend Catherine Allen, has been booked by Clive Brittain for the top-weight and the partnership appears to have first-rate claims despite having to shoulder 10st.

The six-year-old is a useful performer on the all-weather although he disappointed in the listed Bass Wulfrun Stakes at the end of last year, he should be forgiven that effort.