CADEAUX CHER'S bid to repeat his 1998 success in the Great St Wilfred Handicap at Ripon this afternoon received a terrific boost yesterday with the news that he had been drawn 16 of 24.

High numbers appear to hold the call at Ripon these days on the straight track when the ground is on the slow side of good. And with plenty of rain about, Cadeaux Cher, not averse to a drop of juice in the turf, represents a cracking each-way wager in the £40,000 William Hill sponsored showpiece.

It's fair to say that the Barry Hills-trained speedster is somewhat of an inconsistent customer, nevertheless he ran a highly-promising race in the Stewards' Cup at Glorious Goodwood last time.

On that occasion Cadeaux Cher (3.15) had the worst of the draw on the unfavoured stands' side, so in the circumstances he didn't do at all badly, running on stoutly to take a respectable tenth spot, three lengths behind the eventual winner, Guinea Hunter.

The final piece of the jigsaw surrounds his assured ability to handle Ripon's undulating six furlong track, a topographical feature which regularly unbalances even the most seasoned of sprinters.

In such a big field there are plenty of dangers, not least of all from Racing North ten-to-follow pick, Tom Tun.

He's once gain been in fine heart this term, and was not disgraced when coming back from a two month absence to finish a close fifth behind Pips Magic over track and trip 12 days ago.

Another to consider in a wide open heat is Jodeeka, comprehensively out gunned by Ptarmigan Ridge at Haydock last Saturday, but now fancied to gain her revenge over Linda Perratt's bottom weight with an extra furlong to travel. In the preceding Horn Blower Conditions Stakes, Fight Your Corner (2.45) will take some overtaking after his blistering debut win at Newcastle where he left his rivals for dead with a devastating turn of foot.