Ripon starts it racing season tomorrow with two £14,000 races and St Andrews looks a good prospect to win one of them.

The Ripon Silver Bowl Conditions Stakes is the target for the Michael Jarvis-trained five-year-old, who will have Philip Robinson in the saddle.

St Andrews was narrowly beaten at Kempton nearly three weeks ago. He lost by a head to Kew Green, being nailed in the dying strides of the Rosebery Handicap, in which he was conceding the winner 16lb.

Deserved compensation for that frustrating defeat is on the cards tomorrow for my Nap selection St Andrews.

The Ripon 'Cock O' The North' Handicap shares centre billing on the card and I fancy John Gosden's representative Eqdaam, who finished last term with a win at his third attempt, to oblige.

A progressive racer last year, Eqdaam looks likely to continue along the same vein this term. Willie Supple has the mount on him tomorrow.

At Newmarket, Barry Hills will be hoping that lightning can strike in the same place twice in the main race, the bet365 Craven Stakes.

A year ago the Lambourn trainer saddled Haafhd to win this Group 3 race before that colt went on to 2,000 Guineas glory a fortnight later. Now he attempts the same feat with Etlaala.

Impressive winner of the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last September, Etlaala subsequently disappointed in the Dewhurst Stakes, but the ground that day was very testing and he ran well below his best.

There are no worries about ground conditions tomorrow for Etlaala, who looks a serious contender for this £50,000 prize.

Tomorrow's tips

Ripon

2.10 Jaassey, 2.45 Talcen Gwyn, 3.20 St Andrews (Nap), 3.55 Eqdaam, 4.30 Sharp Reply, 5.00 Lets Get It On.

Newmarket

1.10 Starchy, 1.45 Quito, 2.20 Etlaala, 2.55 Daring Ransom, 3.30 Zato, 4.05 Oranmore Castle, 4.40 Alrafidain.

Tomorrow's other meeting is at Cheltenham.

Updated: 11:07 Wednesday, April 13, 2005