EDDIE AHERN and Etching (7.35) represent a totally irresistible combination in this evening's two-mile Ripley Handicap at Thirsk, writes Janus.

Newmarket handler James Fanshawe rarely bothers to travel his horses so far north unless they hold outstanding claims and Etching certainly fits the bill on all counts.

There's little doubt that Fanshawe's four-year-old is an extremely progressive filly, having prevailed over a mile-and-a-half on her seasonal reappearance at Bath 11 days ago. Going strictly on past evidence, the 12-furlong distance appeared to be an insufficient test, however James' decision to run her was vindicated, albeit by the skin of his teeth, since Etching had to pull out all of the stops to dead-heat with Wasted Talent.

Now stepped back up to a far more suitable distance, Etching will have that little bit more time to find her stride, and it will be a shock if she doesn't make it two-from-two in the £8,000 race.

Roy Bowring's Far Note (8.05) is in the form of his life at the moment putting him in pole position for the Dick Peacock Sprint Handicap.

Despite having to shoulder the burden of top-weight, Far Note destroyed his opponents with an unstoppable dash for the cash last time out at Southwell off his all-weather rating of 70. ow back on the grass and able to utilise his turf mark of only 66, Far Note is unquestionably well in at the weights, which, combined with the benefit of his potentially advantageous low draw from stall six, merits a small each-way investment

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