Paul Hanagan, who was largely responsible for proving the undoing of Squires Gate at York ten days ago, joins forces with the Barry Hills-trained juvenile at Ripon today and can guide him to his first success.

Having recently had his third run on Knavesmire, Squires Gate ran his best race to date to finish a half-length second to well regarded newcomer Common Touch, who was given a never say die ride by Hanagan to take the spoils.

Now the season’s leading rider is aboard Squires Gate and he is fancied to bring home the colt in front in the Children’s Day Maiden Stakes.

Hanagan, who travels to Carlisle’s evening meeting after riding in the first five races at Ripon, can also score on Oondiri in the Michael Moorhead Memorial Selling Handicap.

Trained by Tim Easterby, Oondiri recently won at Musselburgh, with Hanagan aboard. A similar outcome is anticipated this afternoon.

Easterby also reintroduces Midnight Martini in the featured £12,000 Armstrong Memorial Handicap over six furlongs.

A talented filly, Midnight Martini has not been seen out since June when she finished towards the rear in the richly endowed Reg Griffin Trophy at York, where last August she had captured a £200,000 sales race.

She had run two good races this season before her unplaced effort York effort and, after a break, it would be no surprise to see her come back to form.

Nap selection City Of The Kings, trained by the shrewd Geoff Harker, near Thirsk, should not be overlooked in the Destination Harrogate Handicap.

A winner on this course and at York last season, City Of The Kings has taken time to find his form this term, but he has been dropped 3lb since his latest unplaced outing on this track, when he started tardily.

Assuming he gets a faster break this time, City Of The Kings is capable of capitalising under Thirsk-based Brazilian jockey Silvestre de Sousa, who rode a four-timer on Saturday – three winners at Thirsk in the afternoon, followed by another at Hamilton’s evening meeting.

At Catterick tomorrow, Campos, a rare Irish raider on this course, is worthy of attention in the opening European Breeders’ Fund Maiden Stakes.

Trained by Tommy Stack, who rode Red Rum to one of his three famous Grand National wins back in the 1970s, Campos was jointly-bred by jockey Jamie Spencer.

She has had two runs to date and, although not looking anything special, she shaped well enough at Leopardstown last time to suggest she can make a bold in this seven-furlong event.

Strikemaster is napped to win the yorkshire4X4.com Adventure Activities Selling Stakes. Trained by Brian Ellison and the mount of Dale Swift, he finished a third in a non-seller at Newcastle last time out.

The progressive Comedy Act (3.30), trained by Sir Mark Prescott and the mount of Hanagan, and the triple course winner Eijaaz (4.32) are two others to consider.


Racing selections

Ripon (today)
2.15 Squires Gate, 2.45 Oondiri, 3.15 City Of The Kings (NAP), 3.45 Midnight Martini, 4.15 Secret Millionaire, 4.45 Chelsea Morning, 5.15 George Adamson.

Today’s other meetings:
Carlisle, Newton Abbot and Windsor.

Catterick (today)
2.00 Campos, 2.30 Strikemaster (NAP), 3.00 Minturno, 3.30 Comedy Act, 4.00 Fashion Icon, 4.30 Eijaaz, 5.00 Mad Millie.

Tomorrow’s other meetings:
Chepstow, Ffos Las and Southwell.