Take a chance on Lucky Spin - a York winner in July - at a best-priced 20-1 in tomorrow's William Hill Sprint Cup at Haydock.

In a £225,000 race, which features a strong North Yorkshire challenge, courtesy of Tim Easterby's Somnus, winner of the race two years ago and narrowly beaten last season, his stable-mate Fayr Jag, and David Nicholls' Gift Horse, winner of the Stewards Cup at Goodwood, further sharp attention will be paid to the red-hot favourite, Proclamation from Newmarket.

Winner of the Jersey Stakes over seven furlongs at Royal Ascot at York in June, Jeremy Noseda's top-class colt has since beaten the mighty Soviet Song in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. That race, of course, was over a mile and Proclamation will now be putting his reputation on the line as a sprinter over six furlongs.

At his current odds of around 6-4, he looks skinny value in a wide-open race, which, in my opinion, could lend itself to a surprise result.

Lucky Spin is my fancy to supply that surprise. Admittedly, she needs to produce a career-best effort to win at Group 1 level, but her form this season has been solid, with a brace of Group 3 successes, including a three-length defeat at York in July over La Cucaracha, who has since won the Nunthorpe Stakes on Knavesmire.

While La Cucaracha may find tomorrow's likely dead ground blunting her speed, Lucky Spin will be in her element and she is taken to dent a few bigger names under Richard Hughes, who took last year's honours on Tante Rose.

Goodricke finished just ahead of Lucky Spin in France last time, but this three-year-old may struggle to confirm that form from his low draw. Of the local challenge, Somnus has not yet hit top form this season, Fayr Jag prefers much quicker ground and Gift Horse is facing a formidable leap from handicap company.

All in all, this sprinting showpiece offers the chance for one of the supposedly lesser-lights to shine. Fingers are crossed that Lucky Spin, my sporting nap selection, can shine brightest of all.

Sendintank, who came from a long way back to finish seventh in last month's Ebor Handicap at York, gets the vote in the williamhill.co.uk Old Borough Cup, while the admirable Quito, trained by David Chapman at Stillington, should not be overlooked in the William Hill Superior Mile after his recent win at Newmarket.

At Thirsk, in-form Middleham trainer Mark Johnston has good prospects of landing the historic Hambleton Cup with McEldowney, the mount of promising apprentice Greg Fairley.

The three-year-old has struck form with a vengeance lately, winning his last three races in the style of a much improved performer. He can carry on the good work tomorrow.

Ahdaaf, a winner on this course last month, figures on a reasonable mark in the B.D.O. Stoy Hayward Fillies' Handicap and is fancied to follow-up for trainer John Dunlop and jockey Paul Eddery.

At Newmarket, Johnston's Middleham raider Prince Of Light merits respect in the 32red.com Sirenia Stakes.

Winner of his last two races, Prince Of Light proved himself to be very much on the upgrade when landing a hot nursery at York's Ebor meeting on his latest outing. He should cope with this step-up to Group 3 company.

Saturday's tips:

Haydock

1-15 Cape Royal, 1-45 Sendintank, 2-15 Lucky Spin (NAP), 2-45 Giganticus, 3-20 Wedaad, 3-55 Quito, 4-30 Danecinthevalley

Thirsk

2-10 Fruit Salad, 2-40 Ahdaaf, 3-15 McEldowney, 3-50 Meantime, 4-25 Slavonic, 4-55 For Scarlett

Newmarket

2-20 High Ridge, 2-55 Prince Of Light, 3-30 Sea Hunter, 4-05 Imperial Stride, 4-40 Primary, 5-10 Master Cobbler, 5-40 Ballet Ballon

Tomorrow's other race meetings are at Folkestone, Stratford, Wolverhampton (evening).

Updated: 11:58 Friday, September 02, 2005