North Yorkshire trainers head south to Epsom tomorrow with good chances of keeping the local flag flying high.

David Nicholls can get the raiding party off to a flying start in the opening Get Exclusive Live Show Prices At BlueSq.com Hanidcap with Handsome Cross.

The six-year-old, winner of the Scottish Sprint Cup at Musselburgh last season, made a bright start to the season at the same course earlier this month when finishing second to Geomali, only being bettered inside the final furlong.

Sure to be all the better for that outing, Handsome Cross can go one better on the fastest five-furlong course in the country.

Brian Ellison has good prospects of landing the BlueSq.com Great Metropolitan Handicap with Tilt.

The mount of Dane O'Neill, the five-year-old is a very able handicapper on his day and, although he lacks a preparatory run this season, Norton-based Ellison would not be sending him to Epsom if he did not think he could do himself justice.

Richard Fahey complicates matters in the £40,000 BlueSq.com City And Surburban Handicap by saddling both Charlie Tokyo and Benandonner.

Both horses ran at Pontefract a fortnight ago, with Benandonner finishing an excellent second on his first run for Fahey, and Charlie Tokyo coming out on top in a later race.

Of the pair, slight preference now is for Benandonner, who left the impression on his latest start that he was a winner waiting to happen.

The Weatherbys Blue Riband Trial, a recognized Derby stepping-stone, also takes place at Epsom, and the vote goes to Raincoat.

John Gosden's colt won his only start last season, at Sandown in the autumn. He looks an exciting prospect for this season.

At Catterick, Alan Swinbank, who trains at Melsonby, not far from the track, is fancied to complete a double with Bronze Dancer and Jojesse, both partnered by Neil Callan.

Bronze Dancer goes for the Moonax Handicap, and, despite top-weight, can make his presence firmly felt after a consistently successful campaign last year, which included a win on this course.

Jojesse is a horse on the upgrade and goes for his third win off the reel in the White Muzzle Handicap.

Most recently successful over this trip of five furlongs at Musselburgh, Jojesse has every chance of obliging again and is awarded the nap vote.

Hubble Bubble makes plenty of appeal in the Prince Of My Heart Maiden Stakes. Mark Johnston's good-looking three-year-old made a promising debut at Musselburgh earlier this month when finishing third. He has the scope to do better with experience and is fancied to take top honours here.


Racing selections

Tomorrow

Epsom
1.50 Handsome Cross
2.20 Raincoat
2.55 Tilt
3.30 Benandonner
4.00 Fashion Model
4.35 Docofthebay

Catterick
2.10 No Point
2.45 Hubble Bubble
3.20 Clarricien
3.50 Last Sovereign
4.25 Bronze Dancer
5.00 Jojesse (NAP)
5.30 Chatshow

Tomorrow's other meetings:
Kempton (all-weather Flat, evening), Perth (National Hunt), Worcester (National Hunt, evening)

Today's meetings:
Bath, Folkestone, Southwell (all Flat), Towcester (National Hunt), Wolverhampton (all-weather Flat).