LIKKLE Bit, a consistent American import returns in an easier spot 34 days after being claimed for $500,000 by Gresford Smith to contest the $528,000 Paul Newman Memorial Trophy claiming feature at Caymanas Park today set to go off at approximately 4:35 pm. Eleven races are carded with first post at noon.

Restricted to three-year-olds upward and native-bred five-year-olds (NW4) for a claiming tag of $450,000-$400,000 at 1,600 metres, the Paul Newman is the 10th and penultimate race on the programme and the six-year-old bay gelding is on the hunt to end a run of four races without a win in the competitive field of 12.

Trained by Victor Williams, who previously owned and trained the gelding, Likkle Bit was only half a length away on last over the distance ridden by champion jockey Omar Walker and with the trainer/jockey combination still intact, is given a very grand chance of continuing his mercurial run over this his pet trip even though assigned top weight of 56.0kg

By Family Calling out of Herecomesthegirls (Northern Flagship) and bred by Lawrence Heffes in the USA, Likkle Bit has a distinct liking for this trip with his three wins for the season from 13 starts with three second place finishes and three thirds.

Prime Minister, owned and trained by Patrick Lynch, is now seven-year-old but with jockey Shane Ellis is called on to replace the claiming apprentice Richard Cole and the blinkers removed, a purposeful effort is anticipated as he, too, is quite a good performer over the distance.

Global Warming, a talented chestnut gelding who also has his problems, is very effective over this journey and with trainer Cashbert Khwalsingh replacing the 2.0kg claiming apprentice Robert Halledeen for the stronger handling of jockey Dane Nelson, this consistent gelded son of Burning Marque will be right there when this is being decided.

Also expected to be in the final shake up is the three-year-old filly Rhea-Marie the mount of Oniel Mullings, who could close rapidly for her piece of the action approaching the wire.

The fleet of foot Skipping Sue with Richard Lunan astride will attempt to go all the way, while the disappointing Wild Glitz with Tyrone Nelson in the saddle even at eight-year-old, is no back number and could come alive from his slumber for a Christmas bonanza.