It's Champions Day at Newmarket tomorrow and No Excuse Needed could be a topical tip in the showpiece race.

The £400,000 Dubai Champion Stakes has attracted a 13 runners and I fancy No Excuse Needed to win this Group 1 prize for Sir Michael Stoute, who sent out Kalanisi to triumph a year ago.

Kieren Fallon (pictured left), back from a five-day suspension, takes the mount on No Excuse Needed, who six weeks ago at Goodwood underlined his talent when he won the Group 2 Celebration Mile by a length and a half from Tamburlaine.

No Excuse Needed has more on his plate tomorrow against the in-form Nayef and his stable-mate Albarahin, not to mention two talented runners from Aidian O'Brien's yard and a trio from the Saeed Bib Suroor stable.

But I think that No Excuse Needed has what it takes to triumph tomorrow and follow in the hoofprints of last year's winning stablemate Kalanisi.

In the absence of Dubai Destination, who has had a setback in training, Rock Of Gibraltar will be very difficult to beat in the £200,000 Darley Dewhurst Stakes.

Aidan O'Brien's precocious colt, easy winner of the Scottish Equitable Gimcrack Stakes at York in August, had to play second-fiddle to Dubai Destination in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on his next outing.

But Rock Of Gibraltar, owned by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, has since won the Grand Criterium at Longchamp in devastating fashion. He promises to give Mick Kinane a fine ride.

Comfy, who looked a useful horse in the making when winning on Knavesmire in August, could be the one to follow Rock Of Gibralter home.

The £120,000 Tote Cesarewitch Handicap is a fascinating race, with the first three from last year - Heros Fatal, Wave Of Optimism and Barba Papa - renewing rivalry over this specialist distance of two and a quarter miles.

Of that trio I prefer Wave Of Optimism, a recent winner at Ascot, but overall I have opted for an even longer-priced fancy in Give Notice, the mount of Richard Quinn.

Four times successful over one and threequarter miles, Give Notice gives every indication of improving further over this marathon distance.

At around 25-1 he looks overpriced, mainly because his trainer John Dunlop saddles one of the favourites in Taffrail.

Prolific winner Taffrail might win, but Give Notice is by no means a remote 'second-string' and this value-bet of the race is awarded my Nap vote.

Connections of handicap snip Alleluia today decided to let the improving filly take her chance in the Tote Cesarewitch.

Sir Mark Prescott's three-year-old had also been engaged in the Jockey Club Cup, the first race on tomorrow's Champions' Day card.

Alleluia was quoted at 11-4 with a run by the sponsors for the second leg of the autumn double after winning the GNER Doncaster Cup on her latest start.

She had been raised 26lb by the handicapper for that win, which meant she was officially 19lb well-in at the weights with only a 7lb penalty in the Cesarewitch.

"I have declared her for the Cesarewitch but with the proviso she won't run if it gets very soft," said Sir Mark.

It's 'Irish Day' at Catterick, where racegoers will be able to sup discounted Guinness as they attempt to pick out a winner or two. It will be no easy task on such a big and trappy card, but recent impressive Beverley winner Marcus Aurelius (2.10) and the frustrating but talented Ragamuffin (3.50) make plenty of appeal in their chosen races.

Tomorrow's tips:

Newmarket

1.45 - Invermark

2.15 - Nice One Clare

2.55 - Give Notice (Nap)

3.30 - Rock Of Gibraltar

4.10 - No Excuse Needed

4.45 - Misterah

5.20 - Amicable

Catterick

1.40 - Revelino

2.10 - Marcus Aurelius

2.45 - Celtic Ballet

3.15 - Sweet Kristeen

3.50 - Ragamuffin

4.20 - Baileys Prize

4.55 - Whistling Dixie

5.25 - The Wife

Updated: 13:34 Friday, October 19, 2001