Handsome Ridge, third to Almushtarak in the Sandown Mile on his seasonal debut 12 months ago, can take his revenge on the winner in the Group Two event, sponsored by Credit Suisse Private Banking at the Esher track today.

The John Gosden-trained five-year-old will be in tip-top shape after running well for a long way when sixth to Shiva at Newmarket last week. The son of Indian Ridge loves cut in the ground and has won three Group Three races, all when the going has been on the soft side.

Although conditions were in his favour for this event last season, Handsome Ridge needed the run and could only finish third beaten five and a half lengths by the easy winner Almushtarak. However, he is 4lb better off and has had the benefit of a run already this season.

Henry Cecil, responsible for Sagitta 2,000 Guineas ante-post fancy Enrique, is likely to be double-handed at Newmarket tomorrow week if Ballet Master comes through his trial with flying colours.

The son of Kingmambo is 12 to 1 for the first Classic of the season on the strength of a seven-length win from Umbrian Gold at Yarmouth last October on his only run as a two-year-old.

Ballet Master has delighted Cecil in his work this spring and can confirm his place in the Classic line-up by taking the Hargrave Hale & Co Conditions Stakes.

Silk St John's turn can come in the Showcase race, the Heathorns Nordoff-Robbins Rated Stakes after finishing unplaced in both the Worthington Lincoln and the Ladbrokes Spring Cup in the past month.

The Mick Ryan-trained handicapper was badly hampered in the latter event at Newbury last Saturday and hopefully will not be the subject of a hard-luck story in this relatively small field.

Vodafone Oaks entry Sea Picture can open her account in the April Fillies' Maiden. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained filly, a half-sister to star performers Hellenic, Election Day and Greek Dance, went close to winning on her only start as a two-year-old when going down by three-quarters of a length to Eden over seven furlongs at Newmarket.

As her breeding suggests, the step up to 10 furlongs should bring out a substantial improvement.

The front-running Bridie's Pride, third to Far Cry in the Queen's Prize at Kempton on Easter Saturday, will be hard to peg back in the Heathorns Bookmakers Handicap over an extended two miles.

Passion For Life landed a gamble at Kempton on Easter Monday and can follow up in the Silver Clef Handicap.