The William Hill Great St Wilfred Stakes this Saturday

The William Hill Great St Wilfred Stakes, held at Ripon on Saturday (3.15), is invariably a veritable minefield for punters.In recent years, a high draw has for the most part proved advantageous. However, it's not impossible to win from a low draw, particularly if there's a bit of cut in the ground. That said, it should be riding on the fast side of good at Ripon on Saturday, therefore I will be hoping that the well-handicapped Hidden Dragon is allocated a high berth, as he looks a cracking bet at the generally available 12-1.The Paul Blockley-trained sprinter, currently off a mark 6lb lower than when prevailing in this very race in 2003, signalled that he was back to form when finishing a close-up third behind Inter Vision and Artie over the Great St Wilfred course and distance last time out, form which the runner-up franked when scoring at Beverley subsequently. Inter Vision may well be in opposition again on Saturday, but the selection should be well up to exacting revenge on 3lb better terms. There was also much encouragement to be taken from Hidden Dragon's penultimate start when, in the highly competitive Stewards' Cup won by Gift Horse, he was third home of those drawn on the disadvantageous stands' side.Indeed, it looks as though the six-year-old is peaking at just the right time to land this valuable cavalry charge, and an each-way investment is recommended, as it's hard to see him finishing out of the frame.Current market leader Texas Gold scored at Haydock last weekend under a truly masterful Kieren Fallon ride. Raised 4lb for that, he does not look harshly treated, as he was short of room for much of the last two furlongs and was good value for the half-a-length winning margin. However, at around the 6-1 mark, he is way to skinny, and is worth taking on.Dandy Nicholls' runners always command the utmost respect in these events and his main hopes on Saturday would appear to be Ice Planet and Pieter Brueghel. The latter was not disgraced in finishing seventh in the Stewards' Cup where he was well-drawn. The six-year-old has been well supported for this race ante post and should give a good account, without, in my opinion, being good enough on the day to come home in front.Ice Planet is an improving sort who, at the tender age of four, looks sure to make a name for himself in this sphere over the seasons to some. But he does have quite a bit to find on present form, and may find the likes of Hidden Dragon, who are battle-hardened and possess a bit of class, too good.Connections of Mr Wolf, who has been in fine form of late, winning four of his last five starts in good style, are hoping for a bit of rain, as their charge is suited by a bit of cut. He blitzed his rivals from the front when beating Unlimited by five lengths at Pontefract last time. But the going is likely to be fast and Saturday, and the percentage call is to oppose him given that he will be racing off a 10lb higher mark in a much, much tougher race.Elsewhere, Dazzling Bay looks very well treated on his best form and might just pop up at a big price one day soon, while the same is true of the Richard Fahey-trained Mutawaffer, who would be the one to beat here on his early season form, but is not one to rely on and needs plenty of luck in running owing to his hold-up style of racing.This will be furiously competitive, but Hidden Dragon has strong claims at the weights, always goes well over this course and distance, and acts well on fast going, so gets the nod