Kieren Fallon and Kevin Darley, two of the main protagonists in the race for the jockeys' championship, are in action at Ripon's first meeting of the season tomorrow - and both look likely to be among the winners.

Fallon teams up with sprint specialist trainer David Nicholls to partner Rudik in the Nick Wilmot-Smith Memorial Handicap.

Rudik made a fine start to the campaign at Doncaster 12 days ago when a close third to Seven No Trumps.

The benefit of that race should stand him in good stead tomorrow and I expect the Sessay-based gelding will be hard to beat in a wide open race.

Darley joins forces with his principal trainer, Mark Johnston, in the Galphay Classified Stakes and I fancy him to win on Simeon.

The three-year-old showed consistent form last season and ended his first campaign with a brace of victories. I think he will pick up where he left off, despite a strong challenge from southern yards in this £10,000 contest.

The Markington Selling Handicap over a mile and a half looks a good opportunity for local raider Righty Ho to start the campaign on a winning note.

Trained at Thornton-le-Clay by Bill Tinning, Righty Ho is a previous winner on this course. He has also scored over this distance in the past and he goes well fresh.

In an open, but modest contest, Righty Ho gets my Nap vote.

Tim Easterby often unleashes a decent juvenile at this meeting and, on that basis, it would be unwise to overlook the chances of his Young Mr Grace, who makes his debut under Robert Winston in the Big Screen's Debut Maiden Stakes.

Armchair punters can look forward to four televised races on BBC2 from Ascot, where the £20,000 Daily Telegraph Chase takes pride of place.

It would come as no real surprise to see this valuable event fall to County Durham raider, Nosam, an admirably consistent campaigner, who represents the formidable partnership of Norman Mason and Richard Guest.

Also worth noting at Ascot are the Middleham-trained Bustling Rio (2.00), the mount of Tony McCoy, and Spy Knoll (3.40), who looks to be coming back to form.

Tomorrow's tips:

Ripon

2.10 - Young Mr Grace

2.40 - Righty Ho (Nap)

3.15 - Simeon

3.50 - Rudik

4.20 - Ringside Jack

4.55 - Macaw

5.30 - Dalblair

6.00 - Thaqib

Ascot

2.00 - Bustling Rio

2.30 - Lord Youky

3.05 - Nosam

3.40 - Spy Knoll

4.10 - Fireaway

4.45 - Sursum Corda

5.20 - Mel In Blue

Updated: 12:56 Tuesday, April 02, 2002