YORK unveil their brand-new £20m Ebor Stand this afternoon at the start of yet another magnificent season of world-class action on the famous Knavesmire.

Built to improve spectator facilities, there are 1,000 viewing seats, a restaurant with capacity for 350 diners, an 80-cover bistro, three buffet bars, six public bars, a sponsors' suite plus six private boxes.

With annual crowds in excess of 260,000, the chairman of York Race Committee, Lord Halifax, explained the thinking behind the investment: "The top quality horses we attract are the stars of our meetings. They'll only continue to race here if we attract large crowds and large crowds expect top facilities."

There's no shortage of stars on view, including Echoes In Eternity (2.30), unleashed by the mighty Godolphin team to contest the Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes.

Frankie Dettori, sidelined due to a one-day suspension, is not available to partner the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained filly, and is replaced by the irrepressible J P Spencer.

Echoes In Eternity was sold privately to "the boys in blue" out of John Gosden's stable after scoring in impressive fashion on her debut at Newmarket last September.

A beautifully-bred daughter of Spinning World out of Magnificent Style, herself the winner of the Musidora seven years ago in 1996, it's not hard to understand why Sheikh Mohammed was keen to get his hands on her.

Sure to have wintered well under the hot Dubai sun, Echoes In Eternity has all the hallmarks of a potentially top-notcher and is expected to put up a very bold show in the £60,000 Oaks trial.

The booking of Johnny Murtagh for Suggestive (3.00) in the most valuable race of the day, the £100,000 Duke Of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes, is eye-catching in the extreme.

The Classic-winning Irish jockey picks and chooses his mounts carefully and there have been positive vibes from headquarters concerning Suggestive. Willie Haggas' five-year-old won at the course over seven furlongs in 2002, but he's just as effective over today's shorter trip and has also gone well first time out in the past.

Sir Michael Stoute's colt Arakan (2.00) has "Listed horse" written all over him, although for the present at least he's operating in handicap company.

Arakan was unlucky to come up against a much-improved performer of Amanda Perrett's last time out and significantly connections have also opted to drop the colt down a furlong for the Showcase Handicap sponsored by William Hill.

Leave the opener to Mark Johnston's Greta d'Argent (1.30), who prevailed under a brilliant tactical ride by Joe Fanning at Pontefract recently. With no pace on at halfway, Joe decided to boot his mount into a three-length lead, ground which his outwitted rivals never managed to fully peg back.

Most trainers would gladly walk over hot coals for the bunch of juveniles David Loder has in his care and the maestro's two newcomers, Cara Bella (4.10) and Kheleyf (4.40), both look worth following in their respective two-year-old races.

* Followers of JANUS would have been counting their winnings yesterday when Encounter obliged at an impressive 12-1 in the 3.45 at Redcar.

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