by Tom O'Ryan

SUPREME Salutation, a headstrong horse, who requires a fast-run race, should have conditions in his favour at Redcar tomorrow.

The gelding, trained at Maunby, near Thirsk, by David Barron, goes for the Own A Racehorse For A Day in 2001 Handicap and is capable of defying top weight provided everything goes right for him.

With at least one front-runner, Puppet Play, in the field, there should be no lack of early pace in this seven furlongs contest, which will help Kevin Darley in his task of settling Supreme Salutation.

The four-year-old pulled much too hard for his own good in a slowly-run race at Thirsk last weekend, having been beaten only by inches at Newcastle after failing to find a trouble-free run.

Risky betting proposition though he is, Supreme Salutation has what it takes to win - so long as they go flat out from start to finish.

Darley looks set for a lucrative day tomorrow. He can also score on John Gosden;s newcomer Beauty Rose (2.35), the promising Circus Parade (4.15) and the stayer Barrow (5.20).

Xipe Totec may be able to concede weight all round in the Northern Echo Nursery.

Richard Fahey's juvenile ran a good race to finish a close-up third behind Healey and the odds-on Up Tempo at Ripon earlier in the week. A reproduction of that form would probably be good enough to see him prevail here. George Duffield has the mount.

The principal action takes place at Ascot where the £10,000 Sanatogen Gold Hanidcap is the target of Flak Jacket, winner of his last three races.

David Nicholls' sprinter has, however, soared up the ratings and, as he is probably better over six furlongs, he is worth opposing over this minimum trip.

A tempting alternative if Forgotten Times, an ultra-consistent performer, who confirmed his well-being with a sterling sixth-place effort behind Zuhair, Flak Jacket's stablemate, at Goodwood last week. He is awarded the nap vote.

Also worth noting at Ascot is Argentan (2-15), who was revitalised by a visor at Newmarket last time, and the Mark Johnston-trained Eastways (2.45), who has always run well in defeat ion his latest starts.

Crown Lodge, held in high regard in the Luca Cumani yard, and open to further improvement on only his third start, is worth a second look in the Valiant Stakes.

At Leicester, Blue Velvet commands the utmost respect in the Jimmy Whirlwind White Rated Handicap.

Not quite at his best over seven furlongs last time out at Goodwood, Blue Velvet will relish this return to six furlongs, over which he has scored twice this summer.

The promising Gleaming Blade promises to be too sharp for his rivals in the John Virgo Maiden Stakes, while the snooker theme is maintained with races also named after Peter Ebdon and Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Miss Grapette (2.25) and Another Time (5.10) are the likely winners of the two events.

Tom O'Ryan is a Racing Post staff writer

Tomorrow's tips

ASCOT

2.15 - Argentan

2.45 - Eastways

3.15 - Crown Lodge

3.50 - Forgotten Times (Nap)

4.25 - Dane Dancing

5.00 - Grey Eminence

REDCAR

2.35 - Beauty Rose

3.05 - Xipe Totec

3.40 - Supreme Salutation

4.15 - Circus Parade

4.50 - Bowcliffe

5.20 - Barrow

LEICESTER

2.25 - Miss Grapette

2.55 - Gleaming Blade

3.25 - Madam Alison

4.00 - Blue Velvet

4.35 - Fahs

5.10 - Another Time