David Nicholls, who last year achieved a notable double by winning Ayr's Gold Cup and Silver Cup races, can tomorrow take the first step towards completing an extraordinary encore.

The Sessay, near Easingwold, trainer, peerless in his handling of sprinters, sends out Tayif for tomorrow's £20,000 Tote Ayr Silver Cup.

The gelding is my Nap selection to take the honours for the second successive year.

Having come late and fast to win the race under Kieren Fallon last year, Tayif is primed to repeat the feat.

His latest two runs have confirmed him to be in excellent heart. At Ripon, he finished fifth in the Great St Wilfrid Handicap after striking the front two furlongs out, plenty soon enough for a horse who benefits from coming late on the scene.

His most recent outing saw him finish 10th of 23 to Dubaian Gift at Haydock, but that race was over an inadequate five furlongs.

Tomorrow's return to six furlongs should suit Tayif down to the ground and I strongly fancy the six-year-old to put David Nicholls in the winning groove - nicely in time for Saturday's £100,000 Gold Cup.

Ground Zero should not be overlooked in the Sothebys Nursery over a mile.

Tim Easterby's juvenile met trouble in running over seven furlongs at Haydock last time, but finishest best of all in fourth place after finding daylight frustratingly late.

Compensation awaits him tomorrow over a trip which will be ideal. Robert Winston takes the mount on Ground Zero.

Polish Flame should give a good account of himself in the Sporran Handicap over an extended two miles.

Mary Reveley's charge has won both his races this term and looks capable of completing a hat-trick before the handicapper finally nails him.

Also worth noting on day two of the Ayr fixture are the progressive Babodana (2.40) and the front-running Locombe Hill (3.45).

At Newbury's high-class meeting, the £55,000 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes heads on the televised (Channel 4) programme.

Monsieur Bond could well spring a surprise in this Group 2 contest, following a highly respectable effort to finish fifth in last week's valuable DSt Leger Yearling Stakes at Doncaster.

Bryan Smart's juvenile had previously won two races and is clearly a colt of some considerable ability.

Cat Ona High is highly-regarded by trainer Amanda Perratt, who is optimistic that the youngster can cope with a step up in class in the Haynes, Hanson And Clark Conditions Stakes.

Suggestive, a wide-margin winner over seven furlongs at York last month, is taken to follow-up in the Dubai Duty Free Cup over the same distance. Michael Hills again has the mount.

Friday's tips:

Ayr

2.10 Coolbythepool, 2.40 Babodana, 3.10 Tayif (Nap), 3.45 Locombe Hill, 4.20 Ground Zero, 4.55 Gracia, 5.25 Polish Flame.

Newbury

2.20 Marching Band, 2.55 Suggestive, 3.25 Monsieur Bond, 4.00 Cat Ona High, 4.35 Choto Mate, 5.05 Misaayef, 5.35 Bid For Fame.

Updated: 12:28 Thursday, September 19, 2002