NORTH Yorkshire trainer David O’Meara, with fancied runners at Newmarket today, can also make his impression at Ripon’s opening meeting of 2015.

O’Meara saddles nap selection Signore Piccolo in the Gill Spencer Apprentice Handicap with Josh Doyle in the saddle.

Previously trained by Eric Alston, the speedy four-year-old won his seasonal debut last year at Nottingham. He failed to go on after that and has switched stables.

Signore Piccolo starts this season on a favourable mark, marginally below where he was at the beginning of last year. He is well drawn over this five-furlong course and is expected to take plenty of catching.

Richard Fahey, another North Yorkshire trainer with chances at Newmarket, introduces Hyland Heather in the opening Eat Sleep & Drink At Nags Head Pickhill Maiden Stakes.

A daughter of Lilbourne Lad, she represents a stable which has made a fine start with its juveniles. It would be no surprise if Hyland Heather were to add her name to the roll of honour under Tony Hamilton, pictured.

Newmarket trainer William Haggas has a good record with his runners on this course and he looks set to complete a double on the opening programme.

Haggas runs Tadqeeq in the Ripon ‘Cock O’ The North’ Handicap and this progressive three-year-old promises to be a tough nut to crack. He was narrowly beaten on his reappearance in a valuable handicap at Musselburgh, where he met a little bit of trouble in running. He can gain compensation here with Graham Gibbons in the saddle.

Haggas and Gibbons can also hit the target with Auspicion in the SIS LIve Maiden Stakes. The colt shaped well in two Ascot outings last season and looks more the type to develop as a three-year-old.

Also worth noting at Ripon is Tim Easterby’s Silvery Moon in the Riponbet Silver Bowl Handicap.

The eight-year-old shaped well to finish second at Pontefract last week and is likely to strip fitter and sharper now. David Allan takes the mount.

At Newmarket, O’Meara saddles Mondialiste, who finished second to Gabrial in the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster last month, in the Weatherbys General Stud Book Earl Of Sefton Stakes.

The expensive French recruit is now into Group 3 company and has something to find on figures with some of his rivals, but he is clearly a very capable horse and the best of him may be still to come.

O’Meara could also have a big say in the Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes with Watchable. Danny Tudhope’s mount made significant progress as a sprinter last season, winning at the Curragh and twice finishing placed at Ascot. He could make the break into Pattern-race company this year.

O’Meara’s Hail The Hero won well in maiden company at Doncaster’s opening meeting and has an entry in the 2,000 Guineas. He lines up in the Novae Bloodstock Insurance Craven Stakes, but Hail The Hero might well find himself outclassed.

Preference is for Nafaqa, runner-up to the high-class Elm Park in the Royal Lodge Stakes and a colt considered by his jockey Paul Hanagan as more of a three-year-old prospect. He is expected to run a big race.

It could be a big day for Hanagan. The former Malton-based jockey rides the unraced Awohaam for his former boss Fahey in the opening Montaz Restaurant Maiden Stakes and could well figure in the shake-up.

Ripon today
1.55 Hyland Heather, 2.30 Vallarta, 3.05 Silvery Moon, 3.40 Tadqeeq, 4.15 Signore Piccolo (NAP), 4.50 Signoret, 5.20 Auspicion.

Newmarket today
1.45 Awohaam, 2.20 Winter House, 2.55 Secret Brief, 3.30 Watchable, 4.05 Nafaqa, 4.40 Mondialiste, 5.10 Golden Laughter, 5.40 Mohatem.

Today’s other meetings
Cheltenham and Chelmsford.

Tomorrow’s meetings
Ayr, Bath, Fontwell, Newbury and Southwell.