there is every reason to believe that tomorrow's £100,000 Vodafone Stewards' Cup at Goodwood will be won by horse trained in North Yorkshire.

David Nicholls has six runners, Tim Easterby three and Kevin Ryan and Bryan Smart two each

But I think this six-furlongs dash will go to Wiltshire-based Patavellian.

He has won two of his three races this season, including the Bunbury Cup over seven furlongs at Newmarket last month.

Patavellian's only defeat was in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot, in which he finished fifth to dead-heaters Fayr Jag and Ratio.

Fayr Jag, one of Tim Easterby's runners, is burdened with top weight of 9st 10lb tomorrow, which may just prove too much of an anchor, especially on the good-to-soft ground.

Patavellian, probably a better horse now than he was in mid-summer, figures on an ideal racing weight of 8st 11lb. And he is perfectly drawn in stall 27 of the 30-strong field. High drawn horses have won this race in eight of the last ten years.

Fayr Jag is favourably drawn and looks sure to run well. Fire Up The Band and Funfair Wane may prove to be the pick of the Nicholls sextet.

Bond Boy, last year's winner, trained by Bryan Smart, has unluckily got a single-figure draw this time, but Kevin Ryan's Endless Summer, significantly the mount of Kieren Fallon, is much better berthed in stall 19.

But Patavellian, trained by Roger Charlton and the mount of Steve Drowne, could well scupper North Yorkshire hopes.

Russian Rhythm, winner of the Lowther Stakes on Knavesmire last August, is unbeaten this season, having won the 1,000 Guineas and Royal Ascot's Coronation Stakes.

Sir Michael Stoute's top class performer can follow up in tomorrow's £200,000 Vodafone Nassau stakes, with Fallon in the saddle.

Lynda Ramsden's Cape Royal (5.25), another Fallon mount, is also worth noting.

At Thirsk tomorrow, Shank On Fourteen has strong claim in the Baldersby Park Nursery over five furlongs.

Karl Burke's smart two year old - jointly owned by star golfers Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood - won over this course and distance in May and has since faired well in distinguished company.

Quito (4.00) trained at Stillington by David Chapman, can make his presence felt, while Brian Ellison, another trainer in form, can make his mark with Conquering Love (5.50).

At Doncaster, Kevin Darley could be the jockey to follow. The Sheriff Hutton-based rider has a host of fancied mounts, including Flash Of Gold (2.20), Acclamation (2.55) and Little Venice (4.05).

Tom O'Ryan's tips for Sunday's racing and the three cards, at Chester, Market Rasen and Newbury, will be published in tomorrow's Evening Press.

Tomorrow's tips:

Goodwood

2.00 Flying Wanda, 2.30 Laidlow, 3.05 Russian Rhythm, 3.40 Patavellian (Nap), 4.15 Parisien Star, 4.50 Dubaian Duel, 5.25 Cape Royal.

Thirsk

2.15 Bahamian Breeze, 2.50 Shank On Fourteen, 3.25 Torrent, 4.00 Quito, 4.30 Beaucette, 5.05 Conquering Love.

Doncaster

1.20 Just A Fluke, 2.20 Flash Of Gold, 2.55 Acclamation, 3.30 Arcalis, 4.05 Little Venice, 4.40 Winthorpe.

Newmarket

Televised races: 1.55 Ryan's Future, 2.25 Salute, 3.00 Baltic Wave, 3.35 Brilliant Red.

Tomorrow's other meeting is at Worcester (afternoon, National Hunt).

Updated: 11:57 Friday, August 01, 2003