John Reynolds heads into the fifth round of the THINK! British Superbike Championship at Mondello Park on Sunday 23 May with one thought in mind - an action replay of his double success at the Irish circuit in the corresponding races of last year.

The Rizla Suzuki rider has the advantage, by 18 points in the chase for the crown, but is under increasing pressure both from the HM Plant Honda Fireblade rider Michael Rutter and his own team-mate Yukio Kagayama.

The Japanese rider, who took a winning double in the previous round, in each race at Oulton Park grabbing the lead in the closing stages from Reynolds, returns to action having undergone further surgery as part of the lengthy recovery from the critical injuries he sustained in a crash at Cadwell Park last August.

Kagayama is hard charging, exciting rider, and with clearly no team orders, is all out for more victories, and that could make life difficult for Reynolds who is battling to take the premier crown for a third time. The Nottingham rider has not finished outside the top three, and has won three of the eight races so far, in his table-topping performance.

However, there have been four different winners so far, and the rest are catching up fast. Rutter, the winner of the first race, has also not finished off the podium yet. His determination is high, best illustrated by a brilliant ride through the pack last time out when a technical problem forced him to start from the back of the grid but he still took third place.

Sean Emmett is also desperate to get back on the winning trail - the MonsterMob Ducati rider is having a lean time, with his sole victory coming at Brands Hatch. He is slipping behind in the points, and goes into this event knowing that he has to hit double top to have any chance of reeling in the points leaders.

His task is not helped by the developing challenge of the Hawk Kawasakis, with Scott Smart, who is working intensively on the electronics and engine management of the bikes, riding to good effect and running consistently in the front running pack. And, his team-mate Glen Richards, recovered from the bruising he took in a second round crash, is back to speed.

Another Aussie Dean Thomas, riding the Sendo Dienza Ducati, is catching the eye with his fast riding style, but all eyes will be on the championship's

'Super-Sub' James Haydon. The rider who stood in for Stuart Easton on the

ETI Ducati at Snetterton will be back aboard a Virgin Mobile Yamaha for three rounds, starting with this one, as he deputises for the injured Steve Plater.

"I didn't think I would see myself back with the team this year, but they asked me to step in for Steve - It's great to work with them again. I tested the bike, it is good, the engine is fantastic.

"However, I've never raced Mondello before so I know that I have a lot of work to do when we get there," smiled Haydon, who clocks up 100 appearances in the series at the event. Three years ago, he finished fourth in the overall standings with Yamaha. Haydon will be riding alongside Gary Mason and Tommy Hill in the team.

In the Superbike Cup, a race within a race for independent riders, James Ellison, riding Yamaha is setting a hot pace, winning the last four races to move ahead of Dennis Hobbs, with Jon Kirkham, the early pace-maker, having to play catch up.

Qualifying is on Saturday 22 May, with the races at 12.15 and 14.45 on Sunday.