LONE PIPER is fancied to call the tune in the Stanley Racing Handicap at Epsom today.

Given a favourable mention by Middleham handler Jedd O'Keeffe in an interview for this year's Racing North, Lone Piper left (3.40) the impression he was about to hit top gear when producing a whirlwind finish to snatch sixth spot at Ripon last Thursday.

The seven-year-old was virtually tailed off with two furlongs to travel only to find a stunning burst of acceleration to get within sniffing distance of the leaders in the final 100 yards.

At such a unique venue as Epsom it's comforting to know that Lone Piper can handle the lightning fast downhill nature of the course, having only failed by a short-head to nail Forgotten Times over track and trip in September of 2001.

Perhaps the greatest danger to the selection is another northern representative, Rudi's Pet.

Despite being hampered quite badly, the David Nicholls' trained sprinter clocked a quickish time when chasing home Mitcham at Nottingham.

In the earlier Great Metropolitan Handicap Darryll Holland has the chance to redeem himself on Arabian Moon (2.30).

It's a matter of opinion as to the calibre of ride he gave the six-year-old at Newmarket last week, but to my way of thinking Holland didn't exactly cover himself in glory by letting Arabian Moon see far too much daylight in the early stages of the contest.

Granted a little more cover during the first eight furlongs of the mile-and-a-half event, Holland and Arabian Moon have the class to defy top-weight in the £15,000 Stanley-sponsored race.

There's some good sport at Catterick where Cyber Santa (3.50) bids to go one better after being pipped on the post at Pontefract recently.

Backers of Cyber Santa, who included yours truly, had to suffer the agony of being so near yet so far because the Celtic Swing gelding looked all over the winner prior to Classic Millennium's dramatic late lunge.

As for the starting price of Cyber Santa, he'll probably go off at around 10-1 in view of the fact that he is taking a big hike up in grade.

However, I for one will be not be put off because physically at least he has the make and shape of very decent four-year-old.

The following SIS Digital Conditions Stakes looks a two horse affair between Fashionable Man and In Disguise (4.25).

Of the talented duo Fashionable Man may have the better long-term prospects. On the downside he's a long striding individual not likely to be as well suited to Catterick's tight turns as In Disguise.

In Disguise, the comprehensive winner of well-contested ten furlong Pontefract 11 days ago, might also have a significant fitness advantage over Mark Johnston's colt.

Andy Crook has had rather a lean time over the past couple of months, although Stormin' Native was able to bring the stable a bit of cheer when collecting at Haydock late last month.

Stormin' Native (4.35) will have to improve again if he is to claim the valuable S.B.J. Nelson Novices' Chase at Perth, nevertheless Crook has always reckoned the son of leading National Hunt sire Be My Native to be right out of the top drawer.