Newmarket trainer Michael Jarvis, who has made a bright start to the season, can continue his winning momentum tomorrow when Epsom, the home of the Derby, opens its doors for the first time this year.

Jarvis saddles Ofaraby in the £25,000 Great Metropolitan Handicap, sponsored by Blue Square bookmakers, and Philip Robinson's mount is fancied to take all the beating.

A progressive performer, Ofaraby justified favouritism in pleasing style at Newcastle last month when winning by two lengths from Shares, with Captain Clipper, a winner at Thirsk last Saturday, three-quarters of a length back in third.

Ofaraby has more on his plate tomorrow, but this improving four-year-old, proven on soft ground, should make a bold bid.

Jarvis and Robinson will also be strongly represented by Shahzan House in the £30,000 Blue Square City And Surburban Handicap - the richest race on the card - over ten furlongs.

A winner over this course and distance last autumn, Shahzan House looks capable of enjoying another profitable campaign this year. His previous experience of this track, plus his versatility at handling most types of going, gives him obvious appeal.

In the Weatherbys Blue Riband Trial Stakes, a race often used as a stepping-stone to the Derby, arguably the most interesting horse on display is Skidmark.

A dual-winner on the Polytrack at Lingfield, the three-year-old looks pretty useful and it is surely significant that his trainer David Elsworth is throwing him in at the deep end on his turf debut. Likewise significant is the fact that he has booked champion jockey Kieren Fallon to ride him.

The Blue Square Handicap, which opens proceedings, brings together some speedy types and nothing makes more appeal than Cape Royal, who represents the Lynda Ramsden stable.

The four-year-old finished a decent sixth in a hot race at Musselburgh ten days ago. It is significant that Frankie Dettori has been booked to partner him.

At Perth, Britain's most northerly track, it's the start of their three-day Festival, with plenty of prize money up for grabs and competitive racing across the board.

Geoff Harker, who trains near Leyburn, is fancied to get his name on the scoreboard, courtesy of Fairy Skin Maker in the Bill And Bunny Cadogan Memorial Handicap Hurdle.

A useful performer, especially at this trip of two miles, Fairy Skin Maker comes here on the back of two wins from his last three outings, his defeat in between coming over a longer distance. He should go well under Niall Hannity and is awarded the nap vote.

Wednesday's tips:

Epsom

1-50 Cape Royal, 2-20 Skidmark, 2-55 Ofaraby, 3-30 Shahzan House, 4-00 Desert Cristal, 4-30 Lygeton Lad.

Perth

2-30 You're a Gassman, 3-05 Lisa Du Chenet, 3-40 Double Honour, 4-10 Fairy Skin Maker (NAP), 4-40 All Sonsilver, 5-10 Solway Minstrel.

Tomorrow's other meeting at Redcar has been called off because of a waterlogged track.

Updated: 12:21 Tuesday, April 20, 2004