IT'S simply impossible to keep Mark Johnston out of the news at present and the Middleham magician goes into this afternoon's Yorkshire Cup double-handed via Akbar and Zindabad (3.20).

Both are class acts with a nifty turn of foot, so even after galloping a mile-and-three-quarters around York's testing course there's not guaranteed to be much between them come the final furlong.

Kevin Darley has ridden both horses to victory and the fact that he has elected to ride Zindabad reflects his narrow superiority in the official ratings.

But Darley will certainly be sweating should Darryll Holland cruise up to his girths on Akbar when the famous Knavesmire winning post comes into view.

I'll not put anyone off Akbar, although on balance Zindabad gets the nod on the strength of his last-gasp success in the Group 3 John Porter Stakes at Newbury last month.

Sprint ace David Nicholls unusually relies on just one runner, Proud Native (2.15), in the opening Showcase Handicap.

The speedy eight-year-old, who in the past has won in Group 3 company at Leopardstown and Taby in Sweden, has slipped down the handicap after a relatively disappointing 2001 campaign with one win in a modest event at Sandown.

Proud Native still retains plenty of ability and wasn't given a hard time on his comeback outing at Thirsk under a kind ride from Alex Greaves.

Sure to have benefited fitness-wise for the outing, I doubt whether Greaves will have the kid gloves on this afternoon in the valuable £25,000 six-furlong contest.

In the following Group 3 Duke Of York Stakes Reel Buddy (2.45) is eyeballing a magnificent four-timer.

Richard Hannon's progressive four-year-old has gone from strength-to-strength this term, whipping Patsy's Double in merciless fashion at Haydock last time out.

Sadly there is a dismal turn out of only three for the extended mile-and-a-quarter Michael Seely Memorial Glasgow Stakes.

With so few runners the early pace is likely to be funereal, prior to one almighty dash for the line from the four-furlong pole.

If it does unfold as predicted, best positioned to take advantage of such a tactical affair could be L'Oiseau D'Argent, who produced an electrifying burst of speed to collect a one-mile maiden at Kempton this month.

Kelburne (4.50), Ian Semple's equine giant, who incredibly had a spell over hurdles with Malcolm Jefferson, powered to victory over a similar trip at Newmarket last time, a win suggesting he should be followed until beaten.