THE £10,000-added Bell-Ringer Stakes, a handicap over the extended 1m 4f, is the feature event of a six-race programme at our local track Ripon on Saturday - the 11th Institute of Journalists charity meeting.

The race appears to have a banker in John Dunlop's Original Spin, who is on a three-timer. The main challenge is set to be provided by Middleham's Mark Johnston, who was double-handed with St Helensfield and Sense of Freedom at the midweek stage.

The Ripon meeting begins at 2.20 and the first two races - mediocre selling and maiden stakes - look better left alone. In the competitive 1m 2f handicap at 3.25 I'd look no further than James Fanshawe's Stromsholm if the Newmarket trainer decides to run the improving four-year-old.

Again Mark Johnston provides the best option, with entries for both Roman King and Baileys Prize. The latter would be preferred. John Dunlop could well have a double with Muffled in the final race at 5.00, a six furlongs maiden handicap.

Televised action this Saturday comes from Newbury (BBC2) and Newmarket and Market Rasen (Channel 4 Scoop 6). The feature race at Newbury is the £125,000 Weatherbys Super Sprint for two-year olds over the minimum trip and Roses Racing Club trainer Kevin Ryan's highly rated Where's Jasper is not without a chance in this one. Stable jockey Fergal Lynch rides, but the one they all have to beat is William Haggas's Superstar Leo, owned by the trainer's father-in-law, the legendary Lester Piggott.

At Newmarket, Fiori holds strong claims in the 1m 7f handicap at 3.15, while in the 1m 4f Listed race half an hour later, Evil Empire can get the out of sorts Godolphin team back in the winning track. Over the sticks at Market Rasen, champion trainer Martin Pipe holds multiple entries in the feature race at 4.30 and I'll side with the stable's most fancied runner.

It's 'Red Shirt' charity night at Pontefract today, where former top northern trainer Jack Berry MBE, famous for wearing red shirts at race meetings, will no doubt be much in evidence, while on Sunday there's a full programme of racing from Kempton, Redcar and Southwell.

The Roses Racing Club had mixed fortunes at the weekend. Our two-year-old Amamackemmush started a warm favourite for a five furlongs sprint at Chester on Saturday, but finished a well beaten third after failing to handle the tight track, while Pix Me Up ran well on unsuitable ground to come fifth at Haydock the following day.

Amamackemmush, who looks sure to win a race this season, will next compete over a straight five furlongs, while Pix Me Up will be better placed in the handicap and should improve given underfoot conditions to her liking.