IN the space of four races since September 1998 59 horses have tried to beat Mark Johnston's Ice on the Knavesmire at York but not one of them has been successful.

And the four-year-old can complete a nap hand of victories at his favourite track by taking the John West Tuna Rated Showcase Handicap over a mile at the Yorkshire course this afternoon.

York is renowned for favouring front-runners and the son of Polar Falcon was given a fine ride when making all to beat Jedi Knight over slightly further on fast ground last month.

Since then he hasn't been totally disgraced but he was unable to dominate when below par at Sandown last weekend. The booking of Kevin Darley looks a significant one and he is preferred to stablemate Sharp Play.

David Nicholls, fresh from his triumph in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket yesterday, can be on the mark with Anthony Mon Amour in the Mr Kipling Exceedingly Good Handicap over five furlongs.

The good-bodied five-year-old found the drop back to five furlongs no problem when readily scoring by five lengths and he will take plenty of stopping if in the same mood under only a seven pound penalty.

My selection is still on a really good mark compared with the best of his form and he is taken to beat Eastern Trumpeter, who has thrived this year and showed he was still in top form when a close second at Chepstow last week.

Cassandra Go has been in fine form so far this year and she can notch her second victory of the campaign in the Listed Stanley Racing Summer Stakes over six furlongs.

After winning at Bath on her reappearance, Geoff Wragg's daughter of Indian Ridge ran a fine race when second to Rudi's Pet in Ireland and was far from disgraced when a close sixth to Nuclear Debate in the Kings Stand at Royal Ascot.

At Southwell, Derek Shaw's United Passion takes the eye in the very modest looking Bet Direct From Littlewoods Fillies Handicap over the minimum trip of five furlongs.

Although she has yet to win a race, the three-year-old shaped well against handicap good thing Ambitious here last time and as she has only had four races, there may be further improvement to come.

Guilsborough has developed into a course specialist at Southwell and he is fancied to notch his fourth win at the Newark course in the Bet Direct On 0800 222222 Handicap over a mile.

The five-year-old seems better than ever after a break and he was value for more than the three quarter length beating he gave to Hoh Gem (pair clear) over course and distance last month.

At Hamilton's evening meeting David Chapman's Grand Estate catches the eye from his very favourable high draw in the Chard Construction Handicap over six furlongs.

My selection has been running really well on fast ground of late but this represents an easier task than the one he faced when running creditably at Haydock last week and he is on a reasonable mark at present.

Over at Chester's evening fixture Distinctly Blu is also well drawn in the KPMG Handicap over five furlongs and could take some catching under the competent Iona Wands.

l AGNES World broke new ground at Newmarket yesterday when becoming the first Japanese-trained horse to secure victory in Britain.

He squeezed home by a short-head in a dramatic finale to the £165,000 Darley July Cup to spark off celebrations for the visitors from the Land of the Rising Sun.

''This is something we've been hoping and dreaming for,'' said assistant trainer Masafumy Matsuda.

''If we were back at home we'd be having a big sake and sushi party but as we're over here I'll celebrate with a cup of English tea.''

Agnes World appeared to have been done no favours by the rain-softened ground.

In a three-way photo finish to the Group One contest, Agnes World got the verdict by a short-head from Lincoln Dancer.

l Media Puzzle justified 3-1 favouritism to land the £50,000 Ulster Harp Lager Derby at Down Royal yesterday.