Blue Monday, who made a big name for himself last season, makes his eagerly-awaited return to action at Ripon tomorrow and promises to be hard to beat.

The Roger Charlton-trained five-year-old goes for the Ripon Silver Bowl Conditions Stakes over ten furlongs and will be partnered by his regular rider, Steve Drowne.

Unraced as a three-year-old after showing plenty of ability at two, Blue Monday hit the heights last season, winning the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar and the Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket.

Hopes are high in the Charlton camp that he can make the transition into Group-race company this season and tomorrow's event is a perfect springboard to bigger tests ahead.

Mynd will be hard to catch in the Newby Apprentice Handicap. Richard Whitaker's charge won this race last year.

In a recent outing over six furlongs at Pontefract, he was only caught near the finish by Piccolo Prince. The return to the minimum trip tomorrow will be ideal for Mynd, who gets the Nap vote.

Antica appeals in the £10,000 Copt Hewick Handicap over six furlongs. The three-year-old, trained by Mark Tompkins, showed progressive form last season and looks the type to continue her upward curve this term.

Settrington trainer John Quinn and jockey Graham Gibbons have good prospects with Fractured Foxy, who showed plenty of promise last week when second on her debut. She bids for victory in the Sharow Maiden Stakes.

Thursday's tips:

Ripon

2.10 Fractured Foxy, 2.45 Antica, 3.20 Blue Monday, 3.55 Damelza, 4.30 Conkering, 5.05 Font, 5.35 Mynd (Nap).

Newmarket

1.30 Mr Sandicliffe, 2.00 King's Bastion, 2.35 Adeje Park, 3.10 Metropolitan Man, 3.45 Olympian Odyssey, 4.20 King Orchisios, 4.55 Dunelight.

Tomorrow's other race meeting is at Cheltenham.

Updated: 12:08 Wednesday, April 19, 2006