  The reaction $\gamma p \to \pi^0 p$ is investigated in the energy range above
the resonance region. The amplitudes include the leading Regge singularities in
the cross-channel and correctly describe the differential cross section for
beam energies above 4 GeV and for the $s-$channel scattering angle
$\cos\theta_s\ge 0.6$. The energy dependence of the beam asymmetry and the
reaction $\gamma n \to \pi^0 n$ seem is quantitative consistent with the
Regge-pole dominance.
