Alastair Cook ready to answer Ponting's questions

England opener Alastair Cook is confident he can play a full part in retaining the Ashes this winter, despite being targeted as a potential weak link by Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

Cook captained his country on their last overseas tour to Bangladesh but found his place at the top of the order called into question this summer after a run of poor scores against Pakistan.

Ponting, always keen to pile pressure on opposition batsmen he perceives as vulnerable, has already said Cook and Kevin Pietersen will be high on his bowlers' hit list.

But when the doubts over his place were at their most intense, Cook responded with a redemptive century in the fourth Test at the Brit Oval and is now happy with his game.

"Whenever you have a string of low scores (you worry]. Your job is to score runs so when you're not doing that it puts the pressure on," he said.

"Everyone in the media was calling on me not to be in the side so to score runs under that pressure, when I needed it most and delivered, was good.

"All of us will have to do that in Australia. Everyone can have their say but we're focused on what we do. I did struggle for a couple of matches against Pakistan but in the last 12 months I've scored four Test hundreds - three in the last eight games - and hopefully I can go out there and prove a few of them wrong."

Cook was in the touring side that was drubbed 5-0 in Australia four years ago but believes the balance of the current squad, combined with a lengthier build-up to the main event, will yield a different result this time.

"As a side we're in a better place, we're stable and coming off a good 18 months. The confidence is running throughout the side and everyone is very trusting of everyone else in the squad.

"Last time was different. The preparation time was a lot shorter due to the Champions Trophy just before. The schedule allowed us to have a bit more time this year and we'll benefit from the three warm-up games we have.

"As a side we're very confident we can play good cricket and I'm confident we can bring the urn back with us."

racing returns

CATTERICK

1.50 - 1, Magnini P Makin (11-1); 2, Its You Again (5-2 Fav); 3, Deliberation (16-1); 10 ran 1, 2. Tote: 18.90. NR: Bygones For Coins, Iceblast.

2.20 - 1, Icelandic S De Sousa (11-2); 2, Glenridding (15-2); 3, Trans Sonic (7-1); 12 ran , 1. Tote: 6.70.

2.50 - 1, Spinning Spirit S De Sousa (7-2 Fav); 2, Di Stefano (11-2); 3, Johannesgray (9-1); 8 ran , 1. Tote: 6.00.

3.20 - 1, Moonlight Blaze D Fentiman (10-1); 2, Danceintothelight (4-1); 3, Elite Land (4-1); 10 ran 1, 7. Tote: 13.70. NR: Jenny Soba, Lady Bluesky.

3.50 - 1, Solar Spirit I J Brennan (6-1); 2, Cara's Request (3-1 Fav); 3, Magic Cat (6-1); 10 ran 2, nk. Tote: 8.50. NR: Cornus, Inheritor.

4.20 - 1, Emirate Isle P McDonald (33-1); 2, Flora's Pride (12-1); 3, Straversjoy (7-2 Fav); 15 ran nk, 2. Tote: 45.20.

4.50 - 1, Fashion Icon S De Sousa (7-2 Fav); 2, Avonvalley (11-2); 3, First Swallow (6-1); 12 ran 1, 4. Tote: 3.70. NR: Rio Sands.

5.20 - 1, Without Equal P McDonald (20-1); 2, Lady Norlela (14-1); 3, Rosewin (6-4 Fav); 12 ran nk, ns. Tote: 28.70. NR: Dimashq, Jackson. Quadpot: 19.40. Placepot: 38.10.

TAUNTON

2.10 - 1, Pullyourfingerout A P McCoy (7-2); 2, Royal And Ancient (9-4 Fav); 3, Lady Willa (8-1); 6 ran 22, 7. Tote: 5.10.

2.40 - 1, Organisateur Ian Popham (1-4 Fav); 2, Ballinteni (16-1); 3, Tignello (10-1); 11 ran 11, 1. Tote: 1.20. NR: Bari Bay, Stellar Cause, We're Delighted.

3.10 - 1, Qianshan Leader Jack Doyle (13-2); 2, Rockiteer (5-1); 3, Woodlark Island (11-4 Fav); 8 ran 1, 4. Tote: 5.10. NR: Chrysander.

3.40 - 1, Kristoffersen O Nelmes (9-1); 2, Heir To Be (11-2); 3, Captain Becket (2-1 Fav); 6 ran 2, 12. Tote: 6.20. NR: Prince Massini.

4.10 - 1, Pairc Na Gcapall M Bradburne (7-2); 2, Topless (7-2); 3, Some Craic (5-1); 6 ran 3, 3. Tote: 5.00. NR: Tampa Boy.

4.40 - 1, Buck Magic K Burke (11-10 Fav); 2, Lucky Sun (6-1); 3, Wychwoods Kaddy (40-1); 7 ran 2, 6. Tote: 1.90. Placepot: 74.20.

YARMOUTH

1.30 - 1, First Mohican I Mongan (12-1); 2, Long Awaited (4-9 Fav); 3, Orthodox Lad (100-1); 7 ran 2, . Tote: 9.40. NR: Any Odds.

2.00 - 1, Focail Maith S Donohoe (7-1); 2, Avid Kale (7-2); 3, Franciscan (11-4); 6 ran 3, 3. Tote: 10.30. NR: Baileys Moneypenny.

2.30 - 1, Sea Moon R L Moore (1-5 Fav); 2, Little Rocky (10-1); 3, Hawawi (33-1); 14 ran 1, 9. Trained: Tote: 1.40. NR: Invent.

3.00 - 1, Franki J Sophie Doyle (6-4 Fav); 2, Via Aurelia (7-1); 3, Miss Blink (33-1); 14 ran 6, 1. Tote: 2.70.

3.30 - 1, Kate Skate Kieren Fox (10-1); 2, Choc'a'moca (3-1 Fav); 3, Bouncy Bouncy (11-2); 10 ran 1, 2. Tote: 9.70. NR: Lets Move It.

4.00 - 1, First Blade R Winston (11-2); 2, Dontforgeturshovel (10-1); 3, Guto (4-1); 9 ran 1, 2. Tote: 5.00. NR: The Magic Of Rio.

4.30 - 1, Cuckoo Rock Catherine Gannon (12-1); 2, Wavertree Bounty (8-1); 3, Dandarrell (10-1); 12 ran 6, 7. Tote: 11.70. NR: Professor John, Red Storm Rising.

5.00 - 1, Court Wing Andrew Heffernan (12-1); 2, Zed Candy (8-1); 3, Inside Knowledge (40-1); 12 ran 3, . Tote: 10.70. NR: Pound Lane. Placepot: 45.80. Quadpot: 6.80.