EVENING PRESS racing tipster TOM O'RYAN scouts around North Yorkshire and selects ten horses he reckons are worth keeping a close eye on this season.

Tom, in addition to his role with the Evening Press, is a highly-esteemed staff journalist with national publication Racing Post.

ABBAJABBA

(Trainer: Chris Fairhurst)

A soft-ground sprinter, Abbajabba suffered a luckless time last season until gaining deserved reward at York's final meeting in October.

Her decisive success in the valuable Coral Eurobet Sprint Trophy - a biggest-ever victory for Middleham trainer Chris Fairhurst - confirmed the five-year-old to be a smart handicapper when conditions are right.

Not one for the hard ground, six furlongs and mud are what she requires.

ARMAGNAC

(Trainer: Mark Buckley)

A useful sprinter on his day, and a winner at Ripon last season, Armagnac was only just foiled of his biggest pay-day at York in mid-summer.

On that occasion he failed by only a short-head to repel the strong late challenge of Orientor in the richly-endowed William Hill Trophy on Knavesmire.

Although his form was rather in-and-out towards the end of the season, a major handicap could well come the way of Armagnac this term.

BOLLIN ERIC

(Trainer: Tim Easterby)

From a stable brimming with talent, this three-year-old is held in very high regard and looks a must for punters looking for horses to follow.

Winner of his final two races last autumn, which included landing a gamble in a hot nursery at Doncaster, Bollin Eric, now more mature both physically and mentally, is considered to be an even better prospect this season.

A useful horse in the making, his best trip is likely to be around ten furlongs.

CYBER SANTA

(Trainer: James Hetherton)

Although restricted to only four races last season, Cyber Santa managed to get his head in front - at odds of 33-1 - at Newcastle in July when he won a 12 furlongs handicap in a thrilling finish.

There is, I believe, plenty more to come from this four-year-old this season.

It will be disappointing if he can not add to his tally in middle-of-the-road handicaps.

SPORTING GESTURE

(Trainer: Mick Easterby)

Owned by Ryedale enthusiast Steve Hull, Sporting Gesture struck form with a vengeance last summer, rattling up a hat-trick of wins and subsequently running well in defeat.

There is every reason to believe that he can add to his tally again this season and he would certainly not need to improve much to win a major handicap at around 12 furlongs.

LOVE REGARDLESS

(Trainer: Mark Johnston)

Picking just one horse from such a powerful establishment as Mark Johnston's Middleham empire is none too easy, but Love Regardless makes stacks of appeal.

One win from one outing was the Storm Bird colt's record last season, but it was the style of his victory - by five lengths under Kevin Darley - that was hugely impressive.

He promises to enjoy an exciting three-year-old campaign and even holds a Derby entry.

CONTINENT

(Trainer: David Nicholls)

One of the major success stories from David Nicholls' stable at Sessay near Easingwold last year, this was the horse who landed the hugely-competitive Ayr Gold Cup in September.

That notable success made up for a couple of previous luckless defeats in major sprint handicaps.

The type to do well again this season, Continent commands plenty of respect.

LADY BEAR

(Trainer: Richard Fahey)

Given that she has been performing on the all-weather tracks recently, Lady Bear will lack nothing in fitness when the turf season gets under way.

Furthermore, if she gets the soft ground, which suits her so well, she should hit the target in the opening weeks.

A capable handicapper at around a mile, she should pay her way.

CARDINAL VENTURE

(Trainer: Kevin Ryan)

Paid his way last year and looks poised to be a money-spinner again this season for Ryedale owner Tony Fawcett.

Despite being on the weak side, Cardinal Venture won two handicaps last term, at Redcar and Doncaster.

Entered in Saturday's Lincoln Handicap at the new Flat turf season's opening meeting at Doncaster starting tomorrow, he merits particular respect in the weeks and months ahead at distances at around the one-mile mark.

SMART PREDATOR

(Trainer: John Quinn)

A horse who has never stopped improving in the last two seasons, Smart Predator enjoyed a wonderful campaign in 2001, winning four races, a sequence which was initiated in a competitive handicap on Knavesmire in May.

Now rated 100-plus, John Quinn's stable-star is going to find it tough going in handicaps this season, but there is every chance that he can continue to make the transition upwards into Listed and Group-races. He is certainly not one to be underestimated.

Updated: 15:46 Thursday, March 21, 2002