THIRSK'S opening meeting of the season tomorrow could be accompanied by a timely rainbow.

Magic Rainbow is the horse in question and the seven-year-old has an excellent chance of victory in the Hambleton Classified Stakes over five furlongs.

Trained at Newmarket by Michael Bell, Magic Rainbow showed some decent form in competitive handicaps last season. Furthermore, he is fit from an all-weather campaign.

With top apprentice Jamie Mackay in the saddle, Magic Rainbow looks the one to be on in this event.

The Helmsley Novice Fillies' Stakes features Tourmalet, the most expensive of Alan Berry's two-year-olds.

I expect this 43,000 guineas purchase to go well under former champion jockey Kevin Darley, but the superior experience of Pertemps Blanca, already the winner of two races, might prove to be the deciding factor tomorrow.

The promising Storm Seeker, having travelled all the way from Lambourn, makes plenty of appeal in the Feversham Arms Helmsley Maiden Stakes.

The Sinderby Handicap, over seven furlongs, could well fall to Full Spate, a previous course-and-distance winner.

At Newbury, Trace Clip can prove the ace card in the Dubai Tennis Championship Rated Handicap.

The four-year-old significantly represents trainer Barry Hills instead of his other original entry Seven No Trumps, and is worthy of support after running some high class races in good handicaps last term.

A horse who goes well fresh, Trace Clip is awarded my Nap vote.

The progressive Commanding, winner of his first race of the season, sneaks in at the bottom of the weights in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Rated Handicap and should run a big race for Richard Quinn, who completed a double at Newmarket yesterday.

John Gosden appears to have his horses well forward and the powerful Manton trainer has excellent prospects of completing a Newbury double.

Gosden saddles the exciting Proven, winner of his only race last year, in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Conditions Stakes.

Mezya, one of his well-regarded unraced brigade, makes her keenly-awaited debut in the Bridget Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

Up at Ayr, the first day of the Scottish Grand National meeting, sees an interesting programme, but a trappy-looking card, as far as punters are concerned.

The classy Dark'n Sharp (2.50), a winner at Aintree last time, and Teelin Bay (4.50), a faller in the Fox Hunters' at the same meeting, do, however, look pretty tempting.

Tomorrow's tips:

Thirsk

2.00 - Pertemps Blanca

2.30 - Magic Rainbow

3.00 - Storm Seeker

3.30 - Oscar Pepper

4.00 - Full Spate

4.30 - Foys

5.00 - Peyto Princess

Newbury

2.10 - New Foundation

2.40 - Commanding

3.10 - Trace Clip (Nap)

3.40 - Proven

4.10 - Islington

4.40 - Mezya

5.10 - Gamut

Ayr

2.20 - Isio

2.50 - Dark'n Sharp

3.20 - Mr Woodentop

3.50 - Korakor

4.20 - The Bajan Bandit

4.50 - Teelin Bay

5.20 - Telemoss

Updated: 12:01 Thursday, April 18, 2002