RIPON'S first Flat fixture of the season has been strongly supported by local runners, including Middleham-based raider Hanseatic League (2.45), a leading contender for the Chequers Inn Handicap.

Mark Johnston's sprinter initially cost his supporters a pretty packet when twice failing to justify favouritism at Haydock and Pontefract last year. But it was not all doom and gloom because Hanseatic League then paid a visit to Windsor and came away with the money at odds of 3-1.

To be fair, he was always a tad on the weak side as a juvenile, immaturity that was almost certainly the cause of his early disappointments. Extra strength is often acquired during the rest period of the winter months, and Johnston's three-year-old might turn out be a different proposition this term.

The feature event of the afternoon, the £14,000 Silver Bowl Stakes, seems at the mercy of St Andrews (3.20), beaten only by a fat lip on his reappearance in the Kempton's Rosebery Stakes.

The Michael Jarvis-trained five-year-old probably has most to fear from fellow Newmarket traveller Blythe Knight, a useful, if rather inconsistent, individual from Ed Dunlop's' yard.

James Bethell has his team in good nick, an encouraging sign for punters intent on siding with True Magic (5.00) in the closing five-furlong Newby Apprentice Handicap.

True Magic won back-to-back handicaps at Leicester and Thirsk last summer, form that entitles her to a major shout, especially as she shaped with plenty of promise on her Wolverhampton comeback.

In view of the fact that Etlaala (2.20) has been well-backed in the ante-post 2,000 Guineas market, there's every reason to suggest he'll be on song for his trial in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket.

Given the brilliance with which Barry Hills assesses his horses on the home gallops, it's probably no coincidence that he's chosen the same route for Etlaala as stable-mate Haafhd, who went on to triumph in the 2004 Guineas proper.

Attempting to compare the two colts at this stage is impossible, but Etlaala impressed on his first two starts as a youngster, prior to bombing out badly on unsuitably soft ground in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes.

With not too much rain forecast for the Newmarket area, no such similar scenario should return to haunt Etlaala, who is potentially top-class with a blue-blooded pedigree to match.

There's some excellent jumping action at Cheltenham, where Inch Pride (2.35) can follow up her facile win at Newton Abbot last Sunday. Inch Pride appeared to take nothing out of herself, strolling to victory with ease and setting up the possibility of a quick-fire double for owner David Johnson.

Get more racing online at www.racing-north.co.uk.