Imperial Stride, whose only defeat last season came in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes, bids to book his place in the 2,000 Guineas line-up at Newmarket tomorrow.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, the classy-looking three-year-old is one of six runners in the bet365 Craven Stakes, a traditional Guineas stepping-stone, and a race which Stoute has won seven times.

Imperial Stride won minor events at Yarmouth and Doncaster last season before being pitched in at the deep end in the Dewhurst. In what was a muddling sort of race, he acquitted himself really well, however, finishing sixth, on the heels of the principals.

A horse who always looked more of a three-year-old prospect, Imperial Stride will relish the step up to a mile and will have Kieren Fallon in the driving seat.

A cracking race is in store. His rivals include Three Valleys, a precocious juvenile who finished in front of Imperial Stride in the Dewhurst but who may not improve for this longer distance, and Haafhd, who also ran well in the Dewhurst. Add to that mix Peak To Creek, a prolific scorer as a juvenile who numbered wins at York and Redcar on his record, and the talented and consistent Fantastic View, and this should be a Group 3 event to savour.

The NGK Spark Plugs Abernant Stakes has attracted a useful field of sprinters, and hopes are high that Frizzante will win at the first time of asking this season.

James Fanshawe's filly ended last term with a brace of successes and looks the type to take higher rank this time around. An interesting opponent is Arakan, from the Stoute stable, proven over seven furlongs but now back to six for the first time since a two-year-old.

Mark Johnston's Gold History should not be overlooked in the bet365 Fielden Stakes.

The three-year-old, runner-up at Doncaster last month, runs here instead of stablemate Mister Monet, a 2,000 Guineas entry, and he could prove to be a scoring substitute.

At Ripon, Tim Easterby saddles Wonderful Mind in the EBF Sharow Maiden Stakes and this well-regarded juvenile is napped to make a winning debut. The mount of Kevin Darley, Wonderful Mind is a three-parts brother to Romantic Myth, who won the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot for Easterby two years ago.

Birthday Suit is another interesting Easterby runner in the Ripon Silver Bowl Fillies' Stakes, a Listed race, which boasts £30,000 in prize money.

Owned and bred by Lady Halifax, Birthday Suit won two of her three starts last year and was third to Attraction in the Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket. She subsequently fractured a cannon bone, which had to be screwed, but has made a miraculous recovery.

Tomorrow's Tips:

Newmarket

1-10 Free Trip; 1-45 Frizzante; 2-20 Imperial Stride; 2-55 Gold History; 3-30 Cavorting; 4-05 Three Secrets; 4-40 King Of Dreams.

Ripon

2-10 Wonderful Mind (NAP); 2-45 Golden Quest; 3-20 Birthday Suit; 3-55 Etmaam; 4-30 Ashwaaq; 5-00 Vibe; 5-30 Mynd.

Cheltenham (televised races only)

1-25 Wintertide; 2-00 Motcomb Jam; 2-35 Cool Spice.

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Lingfield and Southwell.

Tom O'Ryan's nap selection for today's racing was Caribbean Coral in the 3.20 at Beverley.

Updated: 13:23 Wednesday, April 14, 2004