Discanti, beaten a whisker at Thirsk last Saturday, turns out again at Ripon this evening and is fancied to initiate a double for his in-form trainer Tim Easterby.

The SIS Picture Services Handicap is the target for Discanti, who has shaped well in both his starts this season and who came out the wrong side of a photo-finish on his latest outing.

The five-year-old can underline his well-being by making it third time lucky in tonight’s six furlong dash.

Easterby, who saddled three winners on Tuesday – one at Newcastle in the afternoon and two at Catterick’s evening meeting – could hardly have made a better start to the turf season.

He also has good prospects with Jackday in the SIS First For Football Data Handicap over two miles.

Although without a preparatory run on the level, Jackday did run over hurdles three months ago. He has run well on this course before and Barry McHugh, who built up a good rapport with him last season, has been booked for the mount.

Easterby also saddles two runners in the opening juvenile race – Dark Dune and Reel Amber – and, given his good record with two-year-olds on this course, neither should be underestimated.

That said, the vote goes to Saltergate, who looked a little unlucky not to score at Redcar last week when meeting a little trouble in running before going down narrowly to the speedy Misty Morn. Nigel Tinkler’s youngster can go one better here.

Also worthy of attention are Bullet Man (7.30), who shaped well at Epsom on his first run for Richard Fahey, and the promising Bonheurs Art (8.00), who will be ridden by Robert Winston for Barry Hills.

At Ascot tomorrow, the £85,000 totesport Victoria Cup takes pride of place and provides punters with a real head-scratcher with a maximum field of 29 runners facing the starter.

Richard Fahey saddles a pair of fancied contenders in Castles In The Air and Prime Exhibit, both of whom should run well, provided their low draws do not count as an inconvenience on a course where there is often an unpredictable bias.

Castles In The Air, owned by Jim McGrath, a well-known face on Channel 4 racing, won in style at Pontefract last month, while Prime Exhibit finished an excellent second in the Lincoln Handicap. There should not be much to choose between the pair, but Castles In The Air is marginally preferred.

The nap vote is awarded to Duncan, who is fancied to win the John Doyle Buckhounds Stakes for the second successive year. Richard Hughes takes the mount.

The useful Alsace Lorraine (2.50), so progressive last year, and Theola (4.35), who ended last year with a brace of wins, are two others worth noting.

• Tomorrow evening’s Thirsk meeting will be previewed in tomorrow’s paper.


Racing selections

Ripon (tonight)
5.55 Saltergate, 6.25 So Bazaar, 6.55 Discanti, 7.30 Bullet Man, 8.00 Bonheurs Art, 8.30 Jackday.

Today’s other meetings:
Aintree, Chester, Hamilton, Lingfield and Nottingham.

Ascot (tomorrow)
2.20 Duncan (NAP), 2.50 Alsace Lorraine, 3.25 Castles In The Air, 4.00 Kojak, 4.35 Theola, 5.10 Tagula Night.

Tomorrow’s other meetings:
Haydock, Hexham, Lingfield, Nottingham, Thirsk and Warwick.