Seven of Nigel Tinkler's eight wins this year have been in the last month and the North Yorkshire trainer is fancied to be on the mark again with Henry Hall in the Newby Handicap at Ripon this afternoon.

Although the sprinter hasn't won since October 2003, he showed last year that he retains plenty of ability and he is of interest now as he's plummeted in the weights since last summer.

Now 22lb lower than when a very creditable third to Piccled at York exactly a year ago, the sprinter shaped better than the distance beaten at Musselburgh last time in a competitive handicap would imply.

He showed up well until fading out of contention in the last furlong and, given he should be spot on after three runs this term, makes plenty of appeal from his stall-two berth this time.

Kevin Ryan and Nina Carberry have proved a formidable team in amateur rider races this term and the combination, on the mark again at Chester on Tuesday, are fancied to score with Blue Patrick in the Beaumont Robinson Insurance Ladies Derby Handicap.

Ms Carberry was in the saddle when the five-year-old bolted up at Beverley last month and he wasn't disgraced in a better handicap than this one at Chester earlier in the week.

Ryan can also score with Up Tempo, whose recent performances in the claiming grade look solid, and he's the one to be on in the Markington Claimer over six furlongs.

Mark Johnston's team are coming back to the boil after an uncharacteristically quiet spell and he's fancied to notch a double with Barcardero in the mile-and-a-half handicap and with Tarraman in the mile handicap.

The former showed the right attitude to beat three subsequent winners on his second start at Musselburgh and, although disappointing at Sandown last time, the easy ground may not have been in his favour.

Tarraman also created a favourable impression when beating a few subsequent winners at Doncaster in March and, although he's not been seen since, is of interest with further improvement on the cards.

At Wolverhampton, James Fanshawe's handicap debutant Polar Sun is an interesting runner in the Greatwood Racehorse Rescue Rehabilitation Re-Homing Handicap over the extended mile.

The three-year-old, who is by a noted all-weather sire and is related to a couple of smart sorts, showed enough ability on turf last year to suggest he's of interest against exposed performers on his reappearance.

Locombe Hill ran well over seven furlongs at Wolverhampton last week and can go one better in the Hotel & Conferencing At Dunstall Park Classified Claiming stages over the same trip.

Bulwark looks the best bet on a very ordinary card at Yarmouth (4.50), while Emperor Ross, taken out at Perth due to unsuitably soft ground, is the fancy under ideal conditions in the P&C Morris Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter.

Also fancied to go well over obstacles is Kate Walton's Fantastico, who will also appreciate the sound surface, and the mare is the pick in the Dillingers & Insignia Handicap Hurdle over three miles.

* Speed-sensing chips, which monitor horses' speed during races, are to be introduced in certain races for a 14-month trial period starting next month.

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