FRANK SONATA (2.30) rates a rock-solid choice for this afternoon's mile-and-three-quarter Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup.

The selection's progressive profile was never more evident when chasing home John Gosden's Day Flight in the Group 3 John Porter Stakes at Newbury in April.

It looked like a pleasing performance at the time, an opinion confirmed when Gosden's charge went on to win last week's Ormonde Stakes in clear-cut fashion, prompting speculation that last year's French Derby fourth is now a serious contender for Prix de l'Arc de Triomph.

Seeing as the Frank Sonata heroically got to within a half-length of Day Flight, everything points to Mick Quinlan's four-year-old now breaking into the big-time by scooping today's £140,000 feature on the Knavesmire.

There are plenty of dangers to Frank Sonata, notably the 2004 Ascot Gold Cup winner, Papineau, said to be a tad behind schedule following a 330-day break, plus Howard Johnson's Percussionist, who comes out top in some sets of speed ratings.

The opening Langleys Solicitors Listed Fillies Stakes brings together several flying machines including Vicky Haigh's Ooh Aah Camera, and Gamble N Gold (1.30) from Richard Hannon's all-conquering stable.

It's a classic contest of David versus Goliath since Hannon has ten times more firepower than Vicky, who has done exceptionally well with her two-time winning juvenile, a real pocket-rocket of a filly.

While it would be heart-warming to believe the cleverly named Ooh Aah Camera could actually topple Gamble In Gold, sadly the evidence of the latter's impressive fast-time debut success at Windsor says otherwise.

Precisely what Peeress (3.00) will make of the prevailing easy surface is anyone's guess having encountered nothing but rock hard ground in her career to date.

Sir Michael Stoute's rangy four-year-old has a real touch of class, so there's every prospect she'll handle the conditions and put herself in line for many more of the leading seven furlong and one-mile prizes over the coming months.

Bookmakers will be bracing themselves for a typical Brian Ellison inspired punt on John Forbes (4.45) in the closing Stanley Arthur Parkin Birthday Stakes.

Ellison has his Malton-based string in rip-roaring fettle, racking up winners all over the show. Not wishing to be left out, John Forbes conveniently chipped in with a cosy victory at Hamilton seven days ago, where he only has to carry a 5lb penalty.

If further encouragement is needed before becoming financially involved, the gelding is a completely unexposed middle-distance handicapper with an enviably low weight and the right man in the saddle to do the job, Darryll Holland.

The Michael Jarvis' pre-race reservations that Josh's stamina limitations would be exposed on his return at Newmarket proved to be totally spot-on.

At least Michael had the good grace to warn all concerned prior to investing, which combined with the that knowledge Josh (2.10) returns to a sprint trip in Newbury's Carnavon Stakes, surely represents good enough inside info' to side with the speedy three-year-old.