Racing - Great Scot - it's Highland and Tartan (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Racing - Great Scot - it's Highland and Tartan

9:42am Saturday 26th April 2008 in Sport By Flared Nostril

RIPON'S meeting starts the spring season on the flat in Yorkshire and HIGHLAND LEGACY (3.05) looks the one to be on in the £20k Tote BetXtra Handicap (3.40).

This two-mile test is seen as a stepping stone for Michael Bell's stayer to go on and prove he's a Cup horse this season after looking a very progressive handicapper.

He lacks a run and if there is a chink in the armour then Winged D'Argent will be there to take advantage, and Sadlers Kingdom is definitely won to watch for if there is a strong market move, but Highland will do for a fling.

I like the look of STEEL CITY BOY in the 3.05. Drawn nicely, with a good prep race behind him, he should go close.

Van Bossed will be a warm order for the opening race (2.30) after an impressive win over the course last time out. But he is likely to be a skimpy price and has gone up nine pounds in the weights. Mark Johnston's TAWZEEA is rated highly and coming to hand. He has top jock Richard Hills on board and that swings the issue for me.

In the last race, RAINCOAT is fancied to get the better of Greek Envoy for John Gosden now that the ground is drying up.

At Leicester, MAJOR CADEAUX (3.50) should be a worthy favourite, while TARTAN BEARER looks a banker (5.00).

At Sandown, KNOWHERE can retrieve losses after tipping up in the National in the bet365 Gold Cup (3.20), while ROB ROY returns (3.55) and is expected to have a successful season.