The powerful Godolphin stable send a two-year-old runner to Redcar tomorrow in the shape of Northern Splendour, but it might be a horse trained closer to home that proves his undoing.

There is no comparison in the quantity and quality in Saeed Bin Suroor's Newmarket camp and that of Tom Tate's small stable at Hazlewood near Tadcaster.

But Tate may have the ammuntion to shoot down Northern Splendour in Dancer's Serenade, the mount of Dale Gibson.

A good third at Ayr on his debut, Dancer's Serenade left the impression that day that better things were in store as he gained experience and that initial run is expected to stand him in excellent stead tomorrow.

Northern Splendour also finished third on his debut, at Newmarket, and will not be easily denied with Kerrin McEvoy, understudy to Frankie Dettori, in the saddle. But Dancer's Serenade is napped to keep the EBF Maiden Stakes in the north.

Richtee, already a winner on this course this season, bids for a sizeable prize in the £20,000 Formica Surfacing Your World Handicap.

Richard Fahey's three-year-old was narrowly beaten, again on this course, on her latest start, but the drop back in trip was against her that day and she will relish tomorrow's step up to 11 furlongs.

This is by far her toughest task to date, but she is at the right end of the handicap to prove competitive.

Fahey can complete a double with Opening Ceremony in the redcarracing.co.uk Classified Stakes.

A couple of fair efforts recently, the latest on arguably softer than ideal ground at Newcastle, augur well for Opening Ceremony, and although she is not one to rely on implicitly, she should go well here.

Magic Combination did well to give Thewhirlingdervish a race at Pontefract last time, but Len Lungo's charge may have to settle for a supporting role again in the Car Boot Fairs Every Saturday and Sunday Handicap.

My preference is for Lucky Judge, already a dual-winner this season, and an easy scorer at Newcastle last weekend. He can provide Dale Gibson with a double.

John Quinn's horses are in excellent form and the Settrington trainer can add to his scoresheet with Icenaslice, a recent Newcastle winner, in the 'Win A Holiday To Orlando' Racecard Competition over five furlongs.

At Brighton, the Stan James Telebetting Handicap looks best left to Aragon's Boy, trained by Henry Candy.

An easy win at Brighton last time should have boosted the confidence of Aragon's Boy, who looks capable of following-up in the hands of Fergus Sweeney.

Tomorrow's tips:

Redcar

2.20 Encounter, 2.50 Dancer's Serenade (Nap), 3.20 Richtee, 3.50 Icenaslice, 4.20 Opening Ceremony, 4.50 Lucky Judge.

Brighton

2.30 Pacific Star, 3.00 River Nurey, 3.30 Aragon's Boy, 4.00 Resplendent King, 4.30 Sunny Lady, 5.00 Pulse.

Market Rasen

2.10 Regal Vintage, 2.40 The Glen, 3.10 The Sister, 3.40 Fiery Peace, 4.10 Iloveturtle, 4.40 Croc An Oir.

There are no other meetings in England tomorrow.

Updated: 10:16 Saturday, July 03, 2004