JAGGER (2.25) gets the confident vote in this afternoon's 154th running of the richest handicap in Europe, the totesport Ebor at York.

Four-year-olds have by far and away the best record in the historic contest, boasting a 38 per cent strike-rate in the race since the inception of the event in 1843. Trainer Gerard Butler will buoyed by that encouraging statistic, especially as the stamina-laden son of Linamix ran so well when third to his main market rival, Mephisto, in a similarly competitive event at Glorious Goodwood.

Having won his final three races in 2003, Jagger has been saved specifically for today's extremely valuable £200,000 mile-and-a-three-quarter feature, leaving the comfort of his home stables only twice so far this term.

Tactics are going to be all-important and jockey Seb Sanders, who didn't exactly cover himself in roses by finding all sorts of problems at Goodwood, will be anxious to see much more daylight this time round.

At Goodwood Sanders had plenty of petrol left in the tank, however Seb got boxed in behind a wall of horses and by the time he extricated the partnership from the tangle the leaders had flown.

In order to enjoy a clearer passage, I expect Sanders to tack Jagger up the centre of the course, thus avoiding the inevitable chaos likely to be encountered by those riders favouring to the far rail.

Howard Johnson and millionaire-owner Graham Wylie bid for their second high-profile success of the year at the track when Abraxas Antelope (1.50) lines up for the Group 2 Scottish Equitable Gimcrack Stakes.

Johnson and Wylie have already pulled off one substantial coup by lifting the John Smith's Cup with Arcalis, and in the guise of Abraxas Antelope they have another potential smart player on the big stage.

Unbeaten in two starts, the greyhound-like Crook-trained youngster was impressive when easily accounting for Dario Gee Gee at Doncaster in July.

Recent results show that was a terrific performance in view of the fact the latter won a Conditions race with embarrassing ease at Ripon's weekend meeting.

Amongst all of the runners parading on the Knavesmire, the hottest-property around is without doubt the dual English/Irish Oaks heroine, Ouija Board (3.00).

Reigning champion jockey Kieren Fallon hailed her has a "great filly" after Ed Dunlop's stable-star completed an enviable Classic double for owner Lord Derby at the Curragh on July 18th.

Fallon will be absolutely devastated after being claimed to ride Quiff for his retained yard of Sir Michael Stoute, none the less no worries about his replacement, Irish ace Johnny Murtagh, reportedly "chuffed" about one of the great "spare" rides of all time in the £250,000 Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks.

As Creskeld proved so emphatically yesterday, it is always worth casting the net around at the minor meetings in search of a decent-priced nap, and in this evening's case Nottingham raider Splodger Mac (6.40) fits the bill to a tee.

Neville Bycroft's gelding proved his 66-1 victory at Beverley was no fluke by finishing a more-than-creditable runner-up over an inadequate seven furlongs at Redcar ten days ago.

Splodger Mac now returns to his winning trip of one-mile and looks sure to go well in the Midlands Racing Handicap.

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