EVERY drop of moisture evaporating from the turf at York will enhance the prospects of Millfield (2.10) in the opening event on John Smith's Cup day.

Like most of the horses owned by Transcend Bloodstock, the company set up by Crook-based trainer Howard Johnson and his main patron, Graham Wylie, doubtless the "For Sale" sign will metaphorically speaking be dangling around Millfield's neck.

Both have invested huge sums in racing, so their idea of buying and selling two-year-olds for profit makes good business sense and there's certainly no better shop window than the Knavesmire, voted racecourse of the year on numerous occasions, to advertise Millfield's natural pace.

Sheer speed tends to be blunted by soft ground, very much the prevailing underfoot conditions earlier on this week, but, fortunately for the Transcend juvenile, yesterday's sunshine began to significantly dry the ground.

Provided that welcome trend continues throughout this morning, Millfield, who definitely needs to hear his hooves rattle to show top form, should go close in the opening five-furlong Nursery.

The Extra Smooth Silver Cup over a mile-and-three-quarters promises to be a fascinating affair with Joe Fanning attempting to dictate matters by adopting front-running tactics aboard Hearthstead Wings.

Connections have been struggling to find the optimum trip for Hearthstead Wings, who for my money might just empty near the finish and allow Astrocharm (3.20) to take the money.

The Mark Tompkins-trained mare justified the column's each-way confidence in the Northumberland Plate by bagging fourth spot at rewarding odds of 20-1. It was a red-hot renewal of the Plate and Astrocharm's excellent performance suggests she's once again going to make her presence felt.

Kieren Fallon's services are, as usual, in demand, none more so than on the headstrong hard-puller Blonde Streak (4.25).

Although David Barron's five-year-old generally tries to rip her riders' arms out of their sockets, Fallon has the unique ability to make horses do it his way and as a result normally gets the best of the argument.

Blonde Streak, who won over course and distance off a 3lbs lower mark last year, didn't do too badly from a rotten draw in the Carlisle Bell, a race which will have teed her up nicely for this one-mile challenge.

Mention must be made of a rip-roaring card at Lingfield, where Dancing Mystery returns to her favoured polytrack following a fruitless spell on turf.

Eric Wheeler's timeless eleven-year-old veteran retains remarkable zest for sprinting and despite having the steadier of top-weight might still hold too many guns for the opposition in the £20,000 ladbrokes.com handicap.

The following £50,000 two-mile Heritage Handicap heralds the return of gallant Ascot Stakes runner-up, Golden Quest (2.00).

Up-and-coming star Greg Fairley gets on exceptionally well with Golden Quest, an improving young stayer with strong claims to progress into a serious contender for the Glorious Goodwood meeting if he passes today's test.

Gay Kelleway's Vortex (2.00) normally loiters in rear for the first three-quarters-of-a-mile, prior to rustling up a match-winning final furlong burst of acceleration.

Get more racing online at www.racing-north.co.uk.