It will be a blessing in disguise for a York-owned runner if the rain stays away from Ripon tomorrow.

The £10,000 Tote Trifecta Sprint Handicap is the target for Blessingindisguise, who carries the colours of Alan Black, a well-known chartered surveyor in York.

The gelding is Black's pride and joy, having won 11 races in his career. Number 12 tomorrow depends on the state of the ground as much as anything.

Black will be hoping for a dry 24 hours to ensure that the good going remains favourable to his horse's chances of victory.

Blessingindisguise, trained by Mick Easterby, is in great heart, having gained his latest success last week at Catterick.

Although a slightly lower draw than 11 of the 18 runners would have been to his benefit tomorrow, the nine-year-old has plenty of fancied runners around him.

As long as rain does not spoil things, Blessingindisguise should make a bold bid under apprentice Sam Hitchcott, who rode him so well at Catterick.

The Go Sunday Racing In Yorkshire Maiden Stakes looks a good opportunity for Courageous Duke to open his winning account.

Jeremy Noseda's colt showed plenty of promise when fourth on his latest outing at Newmarket.

Vicious Warrior will not be short of supporters in the Middleham Trainers' Association Handicap.

The Richard Whitaker-trained three-year-old was a good second to Rawyaan at Beverley last time. He would not need to improve much on that performance to win tomorrow.

Robe Chinoise is my Nap vote in the Garden Racecourse Handicap. John Dunlop's filly won at Beverley last time in decisive style after taking time to find her stride over ten furlongs.

Tomorrow's extra quarter-mile can only be in her favour and with Richard Quinn on board she can triumph.

Tomorrow's tips:

Ripon

2.10 Shamwari Song, 2.40 Mubeen, 3.10 Vicious Warrior, 3.45 Blessingindisguise, 4.15 Courageous Duke, 4.45 Robe Chinoise (Nap).

Lingfield

2.00 Tommy Nutter, 2.30 Procession, 3.00 Beat Time, 3.35 Illusive, 4.05 Overstrand, 4.35 Midnight Creek.

Worcester

2.20 Redouble, 2.50 Per Amore, 3.20 Broke Road, 3.55 Inn Antique, 4.25 Joint Account, 4.55 Golden Coin, 5.25 My Ace.

Updated: 12:02 Saturday, June 08, 2002