ROSBAY (3.20) rates a rock-solid each-way bet in York's SKF Stakes over a mile-and-a-quarter on this Knavesmire this afternoon.

Tim Easterby doesn't need a second invitation to run a horse at his favourite track, where the Great Habton handler has enjoyed stacks of success in the past.

Three wins, three seconds, plus two thirds from 19 starts on the Flat, tells its own story about Rosbay's ability, who boasts an admirable level of consistency.

The experiment to try him over hurdles during the winter was a waste of time, but he bounced back with a narrow defeat at the hands of Snowed Under at Beverley.

Rosbay would have overhauled Snowed Under in another stride that day, such was the ferocity of his finishing kick.

Jockey David Allan needs to overcome a difficult draw in stall 15, however, if as expected the field swing wide into the home straight, it may not be a major disadvantage.

Richard Fahey looks to have a fast two-year-old in the guise of Viva Ronaldo (2.45), runner-up on his Chester debut, a race that's working out like a dream.

The third-home, Fivefootnumberone, who finished two-and-ahalf- lengths behind Fahey's colt, has since won at Haydock, giving the form a tremendous boost Perhaps even more crucially Viva Ronaldo shrugged off severe interference round the Roodeye, proving he can handle plenty of hustle-and-bustle if required Seven furlongs, neither a sprint or a test of stamina, is a unique distance over which King Of Dixie (2,10) positively thrives.

Although the son of Kingmambo has very few miles on the clock, it hasn't stopped him collecting two of his four of career outings to date.

It's also true that when finishing third in Ascot's red-hot Victoria Cup last time out, King Of Dixie posted a life-time best performance.

Life has now become tricky for William Knight's raider in handicaps, so the trainer has opted for the PD Ports Conditions Stakes.

Admittedly it is step up in class for King Of Dixie, who has the lowest official rating of the 11 runners, nonetheless he could yet usurp some of more fancied rivals.

The closing Gentleman's Amateur Riders event offers young Ben Brisbourne the opportunity to show he can do the job on the big stage aboard Cheshire Prince (5.05).

Cheshire Prince knocked in back-to-back victories at Chester and Newcastle last term, a win ratio he's threatening to top-up on the evidence of his latest promising run.