York-based jockey Robert Winston has come in for the plum mount on Echelon, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, in tomorrow's £320,000 UltimatePoker.com 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

But his Classic bid could be foiled by a stablemate, ridden by top Irish jockey Johnny Murtagh.

Shanghai Lily is the principal hope for the first fillies' Classic of the season. Unbeaten in two starts last season, she is vying for favouritism with Karen's Caper, winner of the Nell Gwyn Stakes a fortnight ago.

Held in very high regard last season by Stoute's then-retained jockey Kieren Fallon, Shanghai Lily has reportedly worked impressively at home in recent weeks, and the mere fact that Stoute is pitching her into a Group 1 race so early in her career speaks volumes for the high opinion he has of her burgeoning talent.

Not that Echelon is a no-hoper. Winston, who has come in for the mount after Mick Kinane, who had been originally booked to ride her, was committed by John Oxx, his principal trainer, to ride in Ireland tomorrow, is keenly looking forward to teaming-up with her.

A good second to Pennekamp Princess in the Fred Darling Stakes on her reappearance at Newbury, Echelon is reputed to have come on plenty for that outing. She has each-way claims.

Of the others, the aforementioned Karen's Caper, and Cape Columbine, who finished second to her in the Nell Gwynn, both command the utmost respect, while Maids Causeway, who showed high-class form last season, is another who can not be left out of the reckoning.

Golden Legacy represents Malton trainer Richard Fahey and will be his first runner in a Classic. Good filly, though she is, she will need to produce a career-best performance by some margin to trouble the best, and connections will doubtless be delighted if she can reach the frame.

Perhaps the most lively outsider will be Simply Sunshine, who, like Cape Columbine, is trained by David Elsworth. Winner of a hot maiden on her debut at Newbury at the beginning of the month, she may be capable of figuring in the first three.

That said, Shanghai Lily gets my vote to show this field the way home.

The admirable Millenary, winner of his final two starts last season, can continue in similar vein on his reappearance in the UltimatePoker.com Jockey Club Stakes, while Admiral, who has done so well over hurdles lately for County Durham trainer Richard Guest, reverts to the Flat in the Wild Beef Winning Way Handicap and will have the advantage of the services of Kieren Fallon.

Up at Hamilton, Mark Johnston looks set for a good afternoon.

The Middleham trainer has excellent prospects of a double with Maria's Magic (3-45), who ran a blinder on her comeback and the promising and well-related Port d'Argent (4-20).

But Johnston's speedy Mafaheem, is passed over in favour of nap selection Namir (4-55), trained by David Barron and an impressive winner at Thirsk recently.

Sunday's tips:

Newmarket

1-40 Paper Talk, 2-10 Tarfah, 2-45 Millenary, 3-25 Shanghai Lily, 4-00 Fashionable, 4-30 George Washington, 5-05 Tartouche, 5-40 Admiral

Hamilton

2-00 Salut d'Amour, 2-35 Dispol Foxtrot, 3-10 Mercari, 3-45 Maria's Magic,4-20 Port d'Argent, 4-55 Namir (NAP), 5-25 Musiotal

Tomorrow's other race meeting is at Salisbury

Updated: 10:25 Saturday, April 30, 2005