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Tough, competitive cricket produces top quality performances at all levels, including in the Second XI Championship. Improved viewing facilities and communications equipment are to be introduced on all racecourses. A trial of new equipment has been taking place at four selected courses during the past 12 months and the Tote, satisfied the rehearsal has proved successful, have agreed to fund the installation of the equipment at all tracks.Part of the plan is to install four screens in the stewards' room, synchronised to allow all those involved in an inquiry a complete view of any incident from all angles without having to re-run tapes.. The Jockey Club and the Tote yesterday initiated a joint plan to speed up the time taken to conduct stewards' inquiries at racecourses. Joe Naughton's Hever Golf Rose continued her own remarkable season yesterday, recording her seventh win this year in the Group Three Prix de Seine-et-Oise over six furlongs at Chantilly. Ridden by Jason Weaver, the Epsom runner took command two furlongs out and held on well to win by a neck from Tereshkova. Naughton said: "She's an amazing filly that has kept her form remarkably well." She was an 11-10 chance.. "He is not an intended runner at the moment but I am leaving all options open," Prescott said.AYR GOLD CUP (Ladbrokes): 6-1 Branston Abby, 8-1 Espartero, 10-1 Astrac, 12-1 Top Banana, 14-1 Benzoe, Royal Figurine, 16-1 Actual Fact, Alzianah, Patto, No Extras, Venture Capitalist, Bold Effort, Cool Jazz, 20-1 bar.. But last year, Daring Destiny, an outsider, won from stall 29.

Sir Mark Prescott's Espartero has been reintroduced into the betting by the sponsors as 8-1 second-favourite. Mark Kershaw, general manager at Ayr, yesterday reported the going as good, but rain is forecast during much of the rest of this week.In big fields on soft ground at Ayr, low numbers have usually been considered to have an advantage. ''It's simply that if you look at the field for the race it has a very competitive look to it,'' Paul Austin of Ladbrokes, said.Mark Johnston, who trains the mare at Middleham, commented: "Branston Abby is absolutely fine.'' Michael Roberts, her regular pilot, will ride, Johnston confirmed.The race will have a total of 29 runners. She has won three of her last five races, as well as finishing a superb runner-up to Cherokee Rose in the Group One Sprint Cup at Haydock.Ladbrokes, the Ayr Gold Cup sponsors, pushed out Branston Abby's odds yesterday from 5-1 to 6-1 favourite But the firm of bookmakers denied this reflected any lack of confidence in her chances. Racing The Branston Abby bandwagon moves to Scotland this weekend in an attempt to further cash in on the mare's recent brilliant run of success.

Despite being burdened with 9st 12lb in Saturday's Ayr Gold Cup she is a warm ante-post favourite for the valuable six-furlong sprint. The five-year-old has thrived on a hectic schedule this season. When she won the Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster last Thursday it was her 18th race of the season, including numerous trips to the Continent. "We tested him and he was clear."If the increased ban is a disincentive to potential cheats, then the announcement that the Super League is likely to be increased to 14 teams after its first year will be a major incentive to aspiring clubs.Newcastle United still want to enter a team in the Super League in 1997, regardless of their new links with rugby union, and promoting two sides from the First Division, with one relegated, would maintain an even number.Lindsay admitted to concerns over the slow sales of tickets for the Halifax Centenary World Cup next month, with under 14,000 sold for the opening match between England and Australia at Wembley.The British Amateur Rugby League Association, which has been refused a place in the Emerging Nations' World Cup, has not responded to the League's request to postpone fixtures that day."If they are prepared to damage the World Cup as a protest, I think that is very unsound," Lindsay said.He was also hit yesterday by reports that South Africa might pull out because of dissatisfaction over financial arrangements, but he insisted that they were being treated as generously as all the other sides.St Helens have signed Karle Hammond from Widnes for pounds 85,000, while Leeds will announce "a major signing" today.. "There will be a four-year ban," Maurice Lindsay, the Rugby League's chief executive, announced yesterday. "We want to send a message to everyone that we are vehemently opposed to drugs in sport." The League has tried unsuccessfully to contact John Allen, the former Swinton player, over his allegation that a quarter of professional players are using the drugs, but believes that its testing procedures are adequate."We got a letter last week telling us that a Great Britain international was on steroids," Lindsay said. The game is to double the penalty for taking steroids, while denying that it is a "knee-jerk reaction" to accusations in a radio programme last week.