NAJEEBON (3.15) represents a rock-solid each-way investment for Ripon's most valuable race of the year, the six-furlong £50,000 Great St Wilfred Handicap.

Mick Channon's sprinter signalled his turn was near when touched off by Currency at Haydock less than 48 hours ago. The ground was like iron on Thursday evening and although it didn't inconvenience the six-year-old, today's rain-softened surface seems sure to suit even better.

The present state of the weights also points to a prominent showing from Najeebon, successful in the past when being forced to run off significantly higher ratings.

Cynics will point to the fact that the selection doesn't win too often, but the booking of top northern pilot, David Allan, suggests to me the gelding is seriously fancied by the ever-shrewd Channon team.

The meeting opens up with a decent two-year-old contest featuring Campbeltown (2.15), who has the ability to upset the likely hot-favourite, Figjam.

Before being outclassed on a visit to Newmarket, Campbeltown had put in a series of highly consistent efforts, most notably when runner-up to Sir Mark Prescott's Outlook at Wolverhampton.

Barring one lacklustre try at Hamilton, all evidence to date tells us Michael Dods has a fair tool on his hands with his Newmarket-bound juvenile, Glasshoughton (3.40).

The Dods' trained youngster got within two lengths of Escape Plan, who has since lifted a decent prize and whipped the pants off Asaawir in the process. The latter then came out earlier this week and cruised to a cosy success at Chepstow, stacking up all of the previous form very nicely indeed.

The only potential fly in the ointment is the strong possibility that underfoot conditions will be too firm for Glasshougton in the National Horseracing Museum Nursery, however at the least uphill nature of the finish should help offset the sting in the turf.

The evergreen Dancing Mystery (5.00) not only continues to strut his stuff at 11 years of age, he also remains eminently capable of picking up Newbury's Celador Radio Handicap.

Eric Wheeler's dasher boasts 14 career wins from 126 lifetime starts, a quite magnificent record considering he's additionally been placed second or third a further 23 times, plus amassed a smidgen under £167,000 in prize money.

It's easy to forgive Dancing Mystery's most recent defeat at Brighton where the ground was like lightning. Even so, the gallant veteran led the field a merry dance for five furlongs, prior to hanging fire close home at the sun-baked south coast seaside venue.

Jumping fans get their slice of the action via two fixtures at Bangor and Market Rasen.

Best bet at Bangor could prove to be Judaic Ways (5.10), set to take maximum advantage of being set to carry bottom-weight in the Maple Leaf Handicap Chase.

Judaic Ways has been a grand stable servant to trainer Henry Daly, rarely shirking the issue and generally paying his way with every National Hunt season that drifts by.

Sound at his obstacles and most genuine if push comes to shove in a tight finish, the game chaser will keep on plugging away when others have waved the white flag at finale of the extended three-mile event.

Little Tobias (5.35) looks the money horse at Market Rasen as far as this column is concerned.

John Wainwright's raider, heartbreakingly beaten by a head in a similar standard contest over course and distance a fortnight ago, wouldn't need to improve too much on that encouraging performance in order to take the Lincolnshire Selling Hurdle.

* Balkan Knight, Zeitgeist and Sendintank, the three leading fancies for next week's totesport Ebor at York, have all stood their ground following yesterday's five-day declaration stage.

A total of 55 are still engaged in the stayers' handicap, with David Elsworth hoping the rain arrives for Balkan Knight, who was last seen finishing runner-up at Glorious Goodwood.

''There's no doubt that he would prefer a bit of cut but he has run on fast ground and run well on it,'' said Elsworth.

''He's a probable runner whatever the ground is like. He seems to be in very good form but I am definitely hoping for a bit of rain over the weekend.''

The five-year-old had previously come home sixth in the Northumberland Plate, with the winner of that race, Sergeant Cecil, also being confirmed.

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