NORTH Yorkshire trainer Kevin Ryan, who is poised to take the wraps off his star colt The Grey Gatsby in Dubai on Saturday, has smaller fish to fry at Wolverhampton today with a horse who had a tall reputation last season.

Mighty Zip had only one outing as a juvenile, at Thirsk last July, when he was made odds-on favourite to make a winning debut. Alas, he faded badly in the closing stages to finish unplaced in an 11-runner field.

Mighty Zip did not run again as a two-year-old, which suggests he may have had a problem.

But he’s ready to return to the fray today in the Unibet Maiden Stakes over five furlongs. With Jamie Spencer booked to ride, the well-bred colt - owned by Qatar Racing - merits the closest attention.

The Grey Gatsby is a fascinating runner from this neck of the woods at Meydan this weekend.

Winner of the Dante Stakes at York last May and the French Derby at Chantilly, he then finished second to Australia in the Juddmonte International on Knavesmire in August before turning the tables on that dual- Derby winner in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown the following month.

He is set to run in the Dubai Turf on Dubai World Cup day and bookmakers are currently quoting him as 4-1 second-favourite. Ryan Moore, who developed such a good rapport with the Hambleton performer last season, has been booked by Ryan to take the mount.

Norton trainer Suzzanne France has good prospects of taking the opening honours at Wolverhampton with nap selection Bond Blade.

Although the winner of only one of his 24 outings, the seven-year-old shaped well to finish fourth, beaten less than two lengths, on this course six weeks ago. He should go well in the Unibet Jockey/Trainer Specials Handicap.

Middleham trainer Mark Johnston may hold the key to the 32Red.com Fillies’ Handicap with Atlantic Affair, the mount of Joe Fanning.

The four-year-old has run creditably at Kempton and Lingfield on her two outings this season.

She is fancied to make it third time lucky.

Also worthy of attention on the Tapeta circuit are the hat-trick seeking Wanting (2.50) and recent course winner Focail Mear (5.05).

Newbury’s final jumps meeting of the season provides the Alan King-trained Chosen Well with the opportunity to complete a hat-trick of wins.

The six-year-old, recruited from France, has won both his starts in Britain, at Exeter and Chepstow. There is likely to be more in the tank yet and he is fancied to provide Wayne Hutchinson with a winning ride in the Sri Lanka Welcomes You Handicap Hurdle.

Trickaway gets the vote in the Win A Holiday To Sri Lanka Handicap Chase.

A model of consistency, Philip Hobbs’ gelding won at Exeter and Wincanton and has since turned in two creditable placed efforts. He is selected to re-discover winning ways.

Nicky Henderson does not allow too many of his local Newbury meetings to come and go without getting on the scoresheet.

Today is unlikely to be an exception.

Might Bite, who showed plenty of promise in his one and only bumper on this course earlier this season, now makes his jumping debut in the Visit Sri Lanka Novices’ Hurdle.

He is expected to relish this better ground and be involved in the shake-up.

Newbury today: 2.30 Might Bite, 3.05 Chosen Well, 3.40 Trickaway, 4.10 Miles To Memphis, 4.45 Westaway, 5.20 Java Rose.

Wolverhampton today: 1.50 Bond Blade (NAP), 2.20 Mighty Zip, 2.50 Wanting, 3.25 Atlantic Affair, 4.00 Jacobs Son, 4.30 Well Owd Mon, 5.05 Focail Mear.

Today’s other meetings: Chelmsford and Ffos Las.