BLUE Mountain can reach the pinnacle of his achievement by winning one of the toughest sprint handicap races of the season - the £85,000 Vodafone Stewards' Cup at Goodwood tomorrow.

Trained by Fulke Johnson Houghton, who last month on Knavesmire won the John Smith's with Sobriety, Blue Mountain has all the right credentials to provide another big-race triumph.

A fast improving three-year-old, he is chasing a hat-trick of wins after victories at Kempton and over tomorrow's course and distance in the Stewards' Cup Trail Handicap last month.

His latest success was particularly creditable as he encountered traffic problems soon after the start and was left with a huge amount of ground to make up in the last two furlongs. That he fairly flew home by half-a-length from Glowing was a performance of great merit.

David Nicholls, the sprint specialist trainer from Sessay, near Thirsk, has six runners in this race. Royal Result and Tayseer look his strongest challengers.

The smart Sartorial, the luckless Ho Leng, and Deep Space, a proven competitor in these tough handicaps, are three others to consider, but Blue Mountain, with the excellent Jamie Spencer in the saddle, can scale the heights to take the valuable prize.

Crimplene, winner of the German and Irish 1,000 Guineas before completing a notable hat-trick in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, can add to her Group 1 tally by winning the £135,000 Vodafone Nassau Stakes.

Also worth noting is recent Doncaster winner Summoner in the Vodafone Thoroughbred Stakes.

Yorkshire racegoers as spoilt for choice tomorrow, with Thirsk and Doncaster clashing head-on as they duel for Saturday afternoon crowds.

At Thirsk, where it is the Lord Taverners' Charity meeting, Forever Times should not be opposed in the opening race, the Thomas Lord Maiden Stakes.

Tim Easterby's youngster has shown infinite promise in her three starts and should have no difficulty.

Proud Boast looks capable of defying top-weight in the featured £10,000 Halifax PLC Nursery.

Duraid, successful in thrilling style under Dean Mernagh at York three weeks ago, can oblige again under the same rider in the Own A Racehorse For A Day in 2001 Handicap.

The £20,000 Weatherbys Summer Cup Handicap takes pride of place at Doncaster, where Warning Reef is taken to get the honours.

Eric Alston's consistent gelding got back on the winning trail at Kempton recently when coming out on top in a blanket finish. Now that he has turned the tide and got his head in front, a double is on the cards.

Lady Helen showed good battling qualities to win at Newcastle last Saturday and I would not be surprised to see Tim Easterby's filly score for the third time this season by landing the Jewels Of Summer Handicap.

The promising Mawhoob (2.25), high class sprinter Proud Native (3.25) and the speedy Paradise Yangshuo (5.05) are also worth considering on the Town Moor programme.

Tomorrow's tips

GOODWOOD

2.15 Forever My Lord, 2.45 Summoner, 3.20 Crimplene, 3.50 Blue Mountain (Nap), 4.25 Fanfare, 5.00 Steinitz, 5.35 Halland Park Girl.

THIRSK

2.05 Forever Times, 2.35 Encounter, 3.05 Proud Boast, 3.35 Hannah Burdett, 4.05 Duraid, 4.40 Mickley.

DONCASTER

2.25 Mawhoob, 2.55 Second Affair, 3.25 Proud Native, 3.55 Warning Reef, 4.30 Lady Helen, 5.05 Paradise Yangshuo.

newMARKET

2.10 Eminence, 2.40 Sumthinelse, 3.10 Freefourinternet, 3.45 Caustic Wit, 4.15 Pinchincha, 4.50 Chaka Zulu.