MECCA'S MATE (2.00) shouldn't be underestimated in the opening five-furlong dash at York, writes Colin Woods.

David Barker is enjoying a fantastic run with his sprinters this term, Celtic Mill nabbing Sandown's Group 2 Temple Stakes, Sierra Vista winning her last two races at Newcastle and Newmarket, while Mecca's Mate has done even better by bagging three 2005 victories to date.

As a result of that money-spinning campaign the Scorton-near-Catterick-based filly has shot a full 29lbs up the weights, but on all current available evidence her winning streak might not necessarily be over.

Five furlongs on softish ground is the key to producing maximum thrust from the selection, and as both of those criteria have been fulfilled at the Knavesmire this afternoon, Mecca's Mate is well worth an each-way interest.

Arctic Desert's (2.35) relentless fall down the weights has got to stop somewhere and I reckon it could be in the Hearthstead Homes Handicap.

Rated in the mid 90s a couple of years ago, Andrew Balding's representative has tumbled down to the low 70s due to what can conservatively be described as a lean patch for one with so much latent talent.

Arctic Desert, a seven-furlong specialist who has been handed a plum draw hard against the inside rail, will get the maximum assistance from Darryll Holland and hails from a yard beginning to emerge from a dire period in the doldrums.

The lightly raced Bay Story (3.05) is just the sort of tough cookie to be in there and pitching come the climax of the John West Tuna Stakes.

In-keeping with so many of Mark Johnston's horses, he loves to run up with the pace and then refuses to lay down without a fight once those behind move up to challenge.

His latest outing on a fast surface at Salisbury typified Bay Story's run-style because as usual he was out there in front to be shot at - only giving way when worn down inside the final 50 metres by shock 50-1 scorer, Magic Instinct.

Today's more demanding underfoot conditions should benefit Bay Story, who may ultimately benefit from a try over a mile-and-three-quarters, or even further in time.

The Group 3 Cuisine de France Stakes is yet another hard-to-solve fillies and mares only Pattern race.

It's possible to make a case for virtually every one of the 11 runners, although that's not to say Lucky Spin is a "pin job" since she has solid claims on her gritty reappearance defeat of Nufoos at Haydock.

Richard's Hannon's four-year-old was then stepped up markedly in class to a mile in Group 1 company and not surprisingly the higher grade, together with longer distance, proved her nemesis.

Forgive that last-named Royal Ascot at York dismal performance when tailed off in last place and Lucky Spin must be considered a leading light for the six-furlong £50,000 event.

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