Atlantic Viking, who ran a fine race in defeat at York earlier this month, can get back on the winning trail at Ascot tomorrow - and hit the jackpot in the process.

The six-year-old, trained by David Nicholls at Sessay near Thirsk, lines-up for the £80,000 Hong Kong Jockey Club Sprint and is napped to spring a surprise.

A winner at Ripon in early-summer, Atlantic Viking ran a cracking race on Knavesmire under 9st 5lb when he finished a close-up fifth to his stablemate American Cousin. Even more merit could be attached to that performance, considering he went quite freely to the start and may have used up more energy than is ideal before a five-furlongs dash.

Fast ground over the minimum distance is perfect for Atlantic Viking and although he faces a stiff test tomorrow against horses like Eastern Purple, Candleriggs and his own stablemate Proud Native, he is fancied to show his rivals the way home.

With a plum draw in stall 1, Atlantic Viking can strike a blow for the north at this valuable televised meeting.

The coverage on BBC2 kicks-off with the Sino Group Trophy Classified Stakes, in which Jokesmith can have his supporters laughing all the way to the bank.

Brian Meehan's charge finished an excellent second to Foreign Affairs at Salisbury last month and, given that winner's subsequent success in the John Smith's Cup at York, that performance merits plenty of respect.

Lady High Havens will be hard to beat in the £20,000 Hong Kong Auction Stakes.

Paul D'Arcy's high-class filly failed by only a whisker to beat Silent Honor in the Group 2 Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month and, if that form can be taken at face value, then Lady High Havens will be a tough nut to crack here under Pat Eddery.

The televised coverage concludes with the Happy Valley Handicap over a mile and it is interesting to note that Ian Semple, more commonly seen on the Scottish tracks, sends Kelburne all the way from Lanarkshire to contest this £10,000 event.

A runaway winner at Hamilton two outings ago, Kelburne should be forgiven his subsquent defeat as he failed to handle the soft ground at Haydock. He is not to be underestimated tomorrow.

At Newmarket, Kevin Darley, who has enjoyed a remarkable week, can figure on the scoreboard.

The Sheriff Hutton jockey completed a four-timer at Thirsk yesterday to make it 12 winners in five days. He can continue in style aboard Grizedale in the Ballygallon Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

The Mail On Sunday Mile Handicap Qualfier looks a good opportunity for Golden Dragon to continue his progress up the ranks.

The Michael Jarvis-trained three-year-old has won his last two races and looks a horse very much on the upgrade. It would come as no surprise to see him complete a hat-trick under Philip Robinson.

Mark Brisbourne, who does so well with his string of handicappers, can complete a double in the last two races with his in-form pair Scheming (4-15) and Opportune (4-45).

Tomorrow's Tips

ASCOT

2.15 Jokesmith

2-45 Lady High Havens

3-15 Atlantic Viking (NAP)

3-50 Mowaadah

4-25 Rainshine

4-55 Kelburne

Newmarket

2-05 Fantastic Champion

2-35 Doctor No No

3-05 Golden Dragon

3-40 Grizedale

4-15 Scheming

4-45 Opportune

Updated: 13:20 Saturday, July 28, 2001