Follow the kid at Newmarket tomorrow.

Shuffling Kid, winner of the Brocklesby Stakes on the first day of the season at Doncaster last month, is napped to follow-up under Richard Quinn in the Thetford Conditions Stakes.

Trained by Bryan McMahon, Shuffling Kid was the stable's third consecutive winner of the Brocklesby and the style of his victory suggested that he was capable of going on to better things.

A length clear of Double Play at the line, the pair finished five lengths clear of the remainder, a sure sign that the form is built on pretty solid foundations.

With a lot of unraced horses in opposition tomorrow there is obviously the possibility that at least one of them is something special, but it will need to be to beat Shuffling Kid, who I expect to fulfill the promise of his Doncaster debut.

Henry Cecil opened his account for the season with Curtain Time in the last race yesterday and I fancy the Warren Place trainer to double his score courtesy of Autumn Rhythm in the Fielden Stakes.

The Hernando filly gained a runaway triumph on her only outing last season, at Yarmouth in October, and is entered in both the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks.

Cecil reportedly sees her more of an Oaks-type and tomorrow's race, over nine furlongs, should fit the bill perfectly. I expect Richard Quinn to guide Autumn Rhythm to victory before teaming-up with Nap selection Shuffling Kid.

In the Macau Jockey Club Craven Stakes, all eyes will be on Nayef, favourite for the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby, the same two Classic races won by his half-brother Nashwan.

Unbeaten in two starts last season, Nayef was particularly impressive when winning a Listed race at Ascot on his second outing and is reported by trainer Marcus Tregoning to have wintered well.

A very exciting colt, Nayef will be very hard to beat tomorrow.

Top apprentice Jamie Mackay, seen to such good effect on narrow winner Guard Duty at Kempton last Saturday, can shine again aboard Marshal Bond in the Swaffham Handicap.

Having lost their first schedueled meeting to the weather, Ripon will be hoping that a similar fate does not befall them tomorrow.

Conditions threaten to be testing, but Francport will be in his element in the mud in the Newby Apprentice Handicap.

A decent recent effort suggests that Kevin Ryan's sprinter, a winner over this course and distance last season, will be involved in the finish.

Tomorrow's tips

Newmarket

2.05.......Marshal Bond

2.35.......Autumn Rhythm

3.10.......Nayef

3.40.......Pivotable

4.15.......Alnahaam

4.45.......Magic Trick

5.20.......Shuffling Kid (Nap)

Ripon

2.15.......Artie

2.45.......Pipadash

3.20.......Elmonjed

3.50.......Rosie

4.25.......Rampant

4.55.......Francport

Updated: 15:09 Wednesday, April 18, 2001