YET another fantastic York May meeting gets underway this afternoon with a whole bevy of leading equine stars lining up on the Knavesmire.

Punters seeking Classic clues for next month's Epsom Oaks will be focussing on the Musidora Stakes, an extended mile-and-a-quarter Group 3 event specifically targeted by Aidan O'Brien for his classy filly, Mona Lisa (2.30).

Having won both the English 1000 and 2000 Guineas, plus a Derby trial at Chester last week, there's no doubt O'Brien holds all of the aces in the three-year-old division.

Using his proven performers as a yardstick, O'Brien will now know exactly where he stands with the progressive Mona Lisa, who although still a maiden, finished a close-up fourth in last year's Group 1 Meon Valley Fillies Mile at Ascot.

The prevailing soft ground suits Somnus (3.00), deservedly crowned European champion sprinter in 2004 following a series of top-notch efforts both here and in France. With the testing underfoot conditions absolutely ideal for Tim Easterby's powerhouse, Somnus has every chance of picking up the most valuable contest on the card, the £100,000 Group 2 Duke of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes.

Fellow Yorkshire handler, Chris Thornton, hasn't got anything like the ammo' housed at Easterby's Great Habton yard, nevertheless Chris does well with his small string led admirably by stable talisman, Let's Roll.

Both Somnus and Let's Roll made this year's Racing North ten-to-follow list, the latter in the genuine hope that there is still more improvement to come. Let's Roll (3.35) didn't have a hard race when finishing down the field on his return at Newmarket, kindness that might well be repaid in the mile-and-and-half ripleycollection.com Handicap.

After picking up a few quid on the all-weather circuit, Boris The Spider (7.15) switches to turf and heads to Newcastle's evening meeting.

As well as being suited by fibresand, the Michael Hammond-trained gelding proved his ability to handle easy ground when opening his account at Ayr last summer.

Such is the size of Boris The Spider, he should eventually make a decent National Hunt type, however, there's still plenty of time to bank more money on the level, starting with the ownersexclusive.com Handicap.

Commitment Lecture (7.45) did enough when second on her return at Hamilton to suggest the prize for the cantorspreadfair.com Handicap can be hers.

If anything the selection was a shade unlucky in Scotland, since she was a bit short of room at the furlong pole.

Like virtually all of the Michael Dods' horses, Commitment Lecture is clearly in good health, which combined with her dogged determination, should be enough to take the mare very close.

* Ted Durcan ended a two-week search for a winner in fine fashion as he struck in the opening two races at Yarmouth yesterday - his only rides on the card.

In the PFK Accountancy Services Maiden Auction Stakes, the Irish jockey was on board a particularly eye-catching debutant in Upper Hand.

The chestnut son of Mark Of Esteem, trained by Mick Channon, was squeezed leaving the stalls, before gradually easing into the race under Durcan, and by halfway of the six-furlong contest was making decent progress.

The Snatcher led for most of the race, but had no answer as Durcan swept up the far rail before scoring by a length and a quarter.