SANTILLANA can shine today at Ripon in the Galphay Conditions Stakes - fast developing into the north of England's most significant Classic trial.

The nine-furlong contest looked little out of the ordinary when introduced to the programme virtually unheralded in 1993. But inaugural winner Beneficial immediately put the race on, the map by going on to land the Dee Stakes and King Edward VII Stakes while runner-up True "Hero went one better in the Thresher Classic Trial.

True Hero's trainer John Gosden, has since used the race as a stepping stone for one of his top colts. Two years ago his Linney Head followed victory with success in the Thresher Classic Trial before suffering injury when a leading fancy for the Derby. And last season's winner Torrential went on to prove himself at the highest level by taking the Group One Prix Jean Prat.

Santilfana certainly encouraged high hopes for his future in his outings last term. After a most encouraging third behind the highly regarded Astor Place on his debut in a maiden at Newmarket he had no difficulty at all in landing a similar event at Musselburgh.

The attractive colt has bags of scope for improvement, particularly now that he is stepped up in distance.

Frankie Dettori will not be at Ripon as he is riding work in Dubai and he may well miss a winning ride on Castlerea Lad in the preceding Fountains Handicap. Dettori rode the seven-year-old into fourth place in a big field on unsuitably soft going at Doncaster last month.

That effort suggested strongly that Castlerea Lad is as good as ever this year and Tony Ives takes the mount now that the ground is in the horse's favour.