KEVIN RYAN'S top-class sprinter Amadeus Wolf (3.15) rates the standout bet on day one of York's Dante Meeting.

After a glittering 2005 two-year-old campaign which included victory in the Gimcrack and an even more famous triumph when nabbing the Group 1 Middle Park, Amadeus Wolf drew a blank last year.

It was always going to be hard for Ryan's speedster during his three-year-old days against the older horses, however, he still ran with great credit, notably when runner-up to Reverence in the Nunthorpe.

Trainer Eric Alston must be gutted that Reverence sustained a setback this winter, but there's no doubt Amadeus Wolf is the chief beneficiary of Alston's agony.

"He's in great shape and we're delighted with his preparation, he's been working well and we are very hopeful," reported Ryan, who has always had the Hearthstead Homes Duke of York Stakes in mind for his stable-star.

Amadeus Wolf is a member of the column's ten-to-follow list for the season, which also features Best Prospect, due to take his chance in the opening Sixty Years of Timeform Handicap.

Trainer Michael Dods opted to send Best Prospect (1.45) down to Lingfield 12 days ago, however it turned out to be a wasted journey as the five-year-old was never at the races.

Jockey Jamie Spencer anchored his mount in the rear of the field and rather depressingly for his backers, that's precisely where they stayed for the entire mile-and-two-furlong contest.

Not all thoroughbreds enjoy the polytrack under their hooves, but there'll be no such problems now Best Prospect returns to grass, moreover, the rain Dods' prayed for arrived bang on cue.

The eagerly-anticipated reappearance of current ante-post favourite for next month's Epsom Oaks, Passage Of Time (2.45), is the main talking point in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes.

Henry Cecil's filly reeled off an impressive three-timer towards the end of 2006, and judged by upbeat reports emerging from Newmarket, she's been catching pigeons on the gallops in recent weeks.

Passage Of Time's odds might well be cramped, so from a punting-value perspective, Mull Of Dubai (3.50) is of much more interest as far as filling the financial coffers is concerned.

Stan Moore's gelding loves soft ground, but ran surprisingly well when fourth at Beverley last week in fast conditions.

That was perfect preparation for his bid to post an inaugural Knavesmire win, a race in which rider John Egan is expected to play a waiting game.