DARASIM can spoil the Rainbow High party in tomorrow's Chester Cup, run over more than two circuits of the historic Roodee racecourse.

Rainbow High has won this valuable staying handicap for the last two years and will not be wanting for supporters as he bids for a notable hat-trick. But Darasim, trained by Mark Johnston, is mt fancy to oblige under Joe Fanning.

Darasim made a triumphant return to action at Ripon last month when beating his odds-on stablemate Akbar by a head in a driving finish.

Darasim, who improved quite considerably last season, is into unknown territory over tomorrow's distance of two and a quarter miles but this competitive four-year-old looks sure to make a bold bid.

Rainbow High, who goes so well around this unique circuit, will surely make a dtermined assault, while High And Mighty, runner-up last year, also comes firmly into the reckoning, along with the useful Cover Up and Mark Johnston's other runner Royal Rebel.

In the Victor Chandler Cheshire Oaks, Shadow Dancing, who showed useful form last season, is exzpected to return to action on a winning note on behalf of in-form trainer Marcus Tregoning.

Lingo, an easy winner at Pontefract last week, can defy a penalty in the Bank of Scotland Handicap. Trained by the in-form Lynda Ramsden, Lingo has an extra 6lb to carry, but, judged on the simplicity of his latest success, Robert Winston's mount looks poised to oblige again.

Ramsden can also score with Fortune Bay in the Cheshire Regiment Maiden Stakes.

Narrowly beaten on his debut at Leicester, the Peter Savill-owned youngster is taken to go one better under Kieren Fallon, Ramsden's former number one jockey.

Alan Berry has a good record on this course and the Cockerham trainer should not be overlooked in the opening race, the Tess Graham Memorial Handicap, in which he saddles Tomillie. The three-year-old should now be coming to his peak after two outings.

Yorkshire racing tomorrow is an evening programme at Wetherby, where a year ago Peter Niven rode his 1,000th winner over jumps in Britain.

There are no historic events in the pipeline tomorrow, but Rigadoon, trained by Mick Easterby, who has a great record on this track, is the one to watch in the Gordon Cranswick Solicitors Novices' Handicap Chase.

The six-year-old, successful on the Flat and over hurdles, has shown enough over fences to suggest that a race of this nature is within his grasp. Richard McGrath's mount is awarded my Nap vote.

Tomorrow's Tips:

Chester

1.55 .........................Tomillie

2.25 ..............................Lingo

2.55 .........................Darasim

3.25 ..........Shadow Dancing

3.55 ..............Sprinkle Stars

4.25 ..................Fortune Bay

Wetherby

6.05 .......................Sun King

6.35 ............Rigadoon (Nap)

7.05 ...................Lucky Mick

7.35 ....................Stone Cold

8.05 ............Brighter Shade

8.35 ........Familie Footsteps

Updated: 15:25 Tuesday, May 07, 2002