Fresh as a Parisian tramp’s socks after a blinding couple of days in the French capital, thoughts turn to the end of one season and the start of another, and a host of opportunities to cash in this weekend.

But first a couple of talking points from the weekend just gone: how wrong were we to doubt Zarkava? A genuine superstar who quite rightly raised the roof at Longchamp. Facing the older horses, a temperamental madamoiselle, up against the colts, more traffic problems than Garstang in rush hour? No sweat. She deserved every ounce of our appreciation.

Is Grand Criterium winner Naqoos really a Guineas contender? To me, even the 14/1 on offer with Paddy Power, Totesport and William Hill looks worse value than the €10 a pint Kronenbourg on offer in every Paris boozer. He did seriously well to claim a rare front-running win on a hold-up specialists weekend, but I don’t see this fella getting the trip on the peripherique, let alone the Rowley Mile.

Finally, why do all French bar staff insist on serving you ¾ of a pint of lager topped off with two inches of froth. I want a pint, not a cappuccino. Come back the Lion & Railway, all is forgiven.

Looking forward to this weekend and one future Classic contender who does merit serious consideration is Michael Jarvis’s Kite Wood, who can continue where he left off when justifying weighty market support at Doncaster four weeks ago, by taking Ascot’s Group 3 Deloitte Autumn Stakes. Derby entry Kite Wood, a son of Galileo and available at best odds of 25/1 with VCBet for Epsom ’09, did me plenty of favours when knuckling down to get the better of a decent field at Town Moor, and he certainly appreciated the step up to a mile after a promising debut in a Leicester maiden over 7f. This is another significant step for Jarvis’s charge, but the word is he can get his name on the scoresheet before hanging up his boots for the winter.

Elsewhere on the Flat, there’s a belting looking card north of the border at Musselburgh, transferred from York whilst the drains which will prevent another Ebor washout are installed on the Knavesmire. The undoubted highlight of which is the National Express York Sprint Cup, run over the minimum distance, and likely to favour those experienced horses who don’t mind the rough and tumble of the big field handicaps.

Step forward Siren’s Gift, third in the Portland in first time blinkers, a race she would have had sewn up had it been run over 5f, second in Newmarket’s Rous Stakes, and now gunning for a victory which would cap a fine campaign. Champion apprentice-elect David Probert is cracking value for his 5lb claim, and with the blinds milking further improvement she can go one better in the Musselburgh feature; definitely some each way value to be had.

Meanwhile over the sticks this weekend’s Chepstow fixture is always one I look forward to, not least as it signals a long overdue return of stacks of quality jump racing. Bring it on.

The big battalions are making their first tender steps towards some gaff in Gloucestershire, and there’s early season value to be snapped up. Not least in the Call House @ williamhillbingo.com Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle where Tuanku can overcome a penalty picked up for a fluent winning debut at Plumpton three weeks ago. Fit from the Flat his aptitude for the hurdling game was there for all to see at the Sussex track, and Chepstow’s galloping circuit will be right up his street.

Over the larger obstacles, Tolworth Hurdle winner Breedsbreeze makes his chasing debut in Bangor’s Anderson & Co. Solicitors Bright Future Novices’ Chase, and the vibes from Ditcheat suggest he could be a star over fences. Paul Nicholls has chosen to start him off over 2m 4½f, and unsurprisingly he’s currently on offer at just 20/1 with Paddypower.com for the Arkle Chase as well as 25/1 for the Royal & SunAlliance, both at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival. A winning debut beckons.

This weekend’s best bets:

3.15 Musselburgh back 8 Siren’s Gift (ew)

3.30 back 4 Kite Wood

3.40 Chepstow back 1 Tuanku

4.00 Bangor back 3 Breedsbreeze