DERBY hopeful Atlantic Waves (3.45) puts his credentials on the line in Newmarket's Fielden Stakes this afternoon.

Forty-eight hours ago Atlantic Waves had his odds slashed from 25s to 12-1 for the Epsom Group 1 showpiece, a sure sign the jungle drums have been beating out positive vibes from the direction of the Middleham gallops.

Of course it could all be a smokescreen designed to create a false market, however, the strapping son of Sadler's Wells has always been very high in the three-year-old pecking order at Mark Johnston's powerful stable.

There was certainly plenty to get excited about following an impressive Leicester debut, although his subsequent Salisbury flop was hard to explain because theoretically he should have made the first three.

Having only ever seen a racetrack twice in his life, it's entirely possible Atlantic Waves might still not be the finished article, nonetheless he's expected to perform with credit in the £28,000 nine-furlong event.

Team Johnston are also well represented at Ripon, where Peppertree Lane (5.05) should give a good account in division two of the Skelton Maiden Stakes.

Placed on both of his juvenile starts over seven furlongs, Peppertree Lane's pedigree strongly suggests he'll be far better suited by today's distance of one mile.

Don't be surprised if there's a clear case of dj vu as Mynd (5.05) bids to win the closing Newby Apprentice Handicap for the second year in succession.

Twelve months ago, Mynd blew away his rivals with an electrifying burst of acceleration once given the go-ahead by his young rider at the two-furlong from home mark.

Mynd is only 1lb higher than when collecting in 2005, which combined with his latest second Pontefract placing, puts him pole position to once again mop up the spoils.

The give in the ground, together with an advantageous high draw, might enable The Thrifty Bear (2.45) to get involved in the finish of the Copt Hewick Handicap.

Trainer Chris Fairhurst had a good word to pass on to Racing North readers about The Thrifty Bear, who didn't have to work very hard to shed his maiden tag at Thirsk last season.

Ile Maurice heads to Cheltenham with outstanding claims for the valuable Yorkshire Bank Mares Only Handicap Hurdle.

Trained and part-owned by Ferdy Murphy, Ile Maurice (3.30) produced a performance of considerable substance when brushing aside Cloudy Lane with a gutsy pillar-to-post success at Bangor in March.

The latter has since returned to action and franked the form in no uncertain fashion by storming to big-race victory, thrashing a highly-competitive field at Haydock on Saturday.

Ideally Ile Maurice could do with more juice in the groundbut even if the rain stays away, Tony McCoy's aggressive style should make up for any deficit in that department.

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