Taffrail, an impressive winner at Beverley ten days ago, is napped to follow-up on television at Ascot tomorrow.

The John Dunlop-trained Taffrail goes for the the Brown Jack Handicap, a race named after the legendary stayer, and looks poised to clinch this two miles contest which carries £18,000 in added prize money.

A slow maturing individual, Taffrail has significantly progressed since stepping up in distance.

His latest performance, at Beverley, was one of a progressive horse and his five lengths winning margin over Blue Hawk could easily have been doubled if his rider had ridden him right out to the line.

Taffrail has only a 4lb penalty to carry for that runaway triumph and Francis Norton, the best lightweight jockey in the country, has been snapped-up by Dunlop to ride him.

The £20,000 City Index Rated Handicap could well be a good opportunity for Pips Magic, who makes the long journey from Jim Goldie's Glasgow yard.

A fluent winner at Doncaster two weeks ago, Pips Magic subsequently finished third in a hot handicap at York. He should go well here under Tony Culhane.

Middleham trainer James Bethell has his horses in fine form and Stretton is expected to add to the stable's scoresheet by lifting the October Club Charity Handicap.

The three-year-old, a York winner in May, got back on the glory trail at Chester recently when he chalked up his third victory of the season. He has good prospects of making it four tomorrow.

Also worthy of note at Ascot, where the first four races will be televised on BBC2, are a brace of well-regarded juveniles trained by Sir Michael Stoute. Carafe (2.15) and Comfy (4.25) are both fancied to make winning debuts.

Sir Michael can also do well at Thirsk tomorrow. The Newmarket trainer sends River Nymph north for the Beadlam Springs Maiden Stakes and this promising twice-raced filly should take all the beating after her recent close call at Folkestone.

Sir Michael will also be represented by Special in the Joe Baggott Enjoying Retirement Handicap.

Although Special hardly lives up to her name, she has shown enough in average company to suggest that she can make a bold bid tomorrow. Fergal Lynch, who is in great form, takes the mount on both of Sir Michael's runners.

The Lewis Geipel Challenge Cup is Thirsk's feature race tomorrow and the promising Ryders Storm can oblige for Mark Johnston.

The two-year-old, one of only five runners in this £9,000 eevent, will be partnered by Kavin Darley, who has ridden no fewer than eight winners in the last three days.

Tomorrows tips:

Ascot

2.15 - Carafe

2.45 - Taffrail (Nap)

3.15 - Pips Magic

3.50 - Stretton

4.25 - Comfy

4.55 -Border Comet

Thirsk

2.05 - Efidium

2.35 - River Nymph

3.05 - Ryders Storm

3.40 - Special

4.10 - Chantilly Myth

4.45 - Lydia's Look

5.15 - Noble Pasao

Updated: 12:25 Thursday, July 26, 2001