A rich mixed meeting at Sandown tomorrow combines a Group 2 Flat race with the final action of the jumps season - but there's no lack of money or potential thrills at Ripon, either, with three races worth at least £15,000.

The first of them is the Ripon Future Sprint Stars Handicap over six furlongs, which offers Hit's Only Money the chance to complete a seasonal hat-trick.

Trained by the in-form Paul Blockley, the three-year-old is improving rapidly judging by his latest win at Kempton.

Partnered by Kieren Fallon, Hits Only Money, the 2-1 favourite, bounded clear inside the final furlong before being eased at the line to win by one and a quarter lengths from Override, a margin that flattered the runner-up. Jamie Spencer takes over tomorrow on Hit's Only Money, who will surely take all the beating.

The C.B. Hutchinson Memorial Challenge Cup Handicap, also worth £15,000, looks an ideal opening for Prairie Falcon.

Barry Hills' charge, something of a professional in these sort of races, finished a good second to Fortune Island in the Queen's Prize Handicap at Kempton on his reappearance a week ago. So long as this race does not come too quickly for him, he should give Dean McKeown a good ride.

In the £150,000 attheraces Gold Cup Chase, perhaps better known as the old Whitbread Gold Cup, Ruby Walsh takes the mount on Ad Hoc, who I narrowly prefer to his stablemate Montifault, and last year's winner Bounce Back. Ad Hoc won this race in 2001.

Some classy Flat-racers get their chance in the £100,000 Bet attheraces Mile. Frenchman's Bay, the mount of Frankie Dettori, makes plenty of appeal.

A horse blighted by injuries and setbacks since he finished third in the 2,000 Guineas two years ago, Frenchman's Bay enjoyed a recent all-weather win at Lingfield. He is awarded my Nap vote.

Saturday's tips:

Ripon:

2.00 Hit's Only Money, 2.35 Prairie Falcon, 3.05 Rosina May, 3.40 Lord of Methley, 4.15 Bangalore, 4.50 Massomah, 5.25 Cryfield.

Sandown:

1.40 Deano's Beeno, 2.15 Seebald, 2.50 Frenchman's Bay (Nap), 3.30 Ad Hoc, 4.10 Indian Creek, 4.40 Skycab, 5.15 Colisay, 5.45 Voice Mail.

- Tomorrow's other meetings are at Leicester, Market Rasen and Sedgefield.

Updated: 12:49 Friday, April 25, 2003