ANOTHER BOTTLE (3.55) represents a tempting each-way investment at 20-1 or better for the £150,000 John Smith's Cup at York, writes Colin Woods.

Put in this year's Racing North ten-to-follow list for precisely this type of wide-open contest, Another Bottle has already come up trumps for avid followers of our popular annual pull-out by grinding out a gritty 16-1 success at Ripon in May.

He's a big bull of a horse, just the type required to withstand the hurly-burly of what is often quite a rough affair as the leaders bunch at around the two-furlong pole and begin to duck and dive under maximum pressure from their respective riders.

Trained just down the road at Tadcaster by Thomas Tate, the locally-based handler has booked top jockey Michael Hills to partner Another Bottle, who ran an absolute corker at Newcastle 16 days ago when chasing home former Royal Ascot winner Helm Bank over an inadequate trip of one mile.

Helm Bank has since gone on to finish a close-up fourth in a viciously competitive heat at Sandown, giving the form a real gilt-edged appearance.

To get so close to Helm Bank's quarters at the Tyneside track was a superb effort, boosting Another Bottle's chances no end.

Another Bottle is potentially a far better individual over this afternoon's extra two-and-a-half-furlongs, so provided Hills keeps his mount clear of trouble the long-standing sponsors may well have reason to toast an extremely appropriately-named winner.

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