Sir Michael Stoute and Aidan O'Brien may saddle the favourites in tomorrow's 46th John Smith's Cup at York Races, but North Yorkshire trainer Tom Tate is fancied to overthrow this formidable pair with 20-1 shot Another Bottle, who is napped to lift this £150,000 event.

Tate, based at Hazelwood near Tadcaster, only eight miles from Knavesmire, has a progressive horse in Another Bottle, a triple-winner last season and successful on his reappearance at Ripon this term.

His two subsequent defeats should be excused. Unsuited by a wide draw and a muddling early gallop in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar, where he finished eighth, Another Bottle failed by only half-a-length to catch Helm Bank on his latest start at Newcastle over a now inadequate one mile.

Tomorrow's extended ten furlongs will be ideal for Another Bottle, and although a slightly lower draw than his number-13 stall would have been preferable, he is better berthed than Notable Guest, Sir Michael Stoute's runner, in 15, and also Mullins Bay, Aidan O'Brien's representative, who looks to have it all to do from stall 19, one from the outside.

Notable Guest, winner of both his races this season, the latest on Knavesmire at the Royal Ascot meeting, carries a 5lb penalty, which could prove his undoing. Not since 1987 has any winner of this race defied a penalty.

Crow Wood, runner-up to Notable Guest last time, may get his revenge this time for Settrington trainer John Quinn, while Richard Fahey is another Ryedale trainer with good prospects, courtesy of Kings Point, a good second at The Curragh on his latest start.

But Tate is my fancy to be the one reaching for the bubbly thanks to Another Bottle, who will be ridden by Michael Hills, successful in this race on Far Lane two years ago.

Grampian deserves every respect in the John Smith's Extra Smooth Silver Cup Handicap.

James Given's charge looked an unlucky loser of last Saturday's Old Newton Cup at Haydock, being shuffled back to the rear of the field early on and being forced to thread his way through in the final three furlongs. Denied a clear run at least twice, he finished fast, but too late, in fourth place. Compensation could now be forthcoming.

The in-form David Nicholls has his eyes firmly focussed tomorrow on Chester, where Fire Up The Band bids to win the £30,000 Chester CityWall Stakes for the second successive year.

This high-class sprinter goes into battle in cracking form, having won the Vodafone Dash at Epsom and finished an excellent fourth in a Listed race at the Curragh last time out from a poor draw. He should take plenty of catching with trainer's son Adrian Nicholls on board.

Saturday's tips:

York

2.10 Forces Sweetheart, 2.40 Cd Flyer, 3.20 Grampian, 3.55 Another Bottle (Nap), 4.25 Freeloader, 5.00 Silk Merchant, 5.30 Sincerely.

Chester

2.25 Aragorn, 2.55 Fire Up The Band, 3.25 Indian Dawn, 4.00 Lucayan Dancer, 4.35 Paradise Flight, 5.10 Hand Chime.

Lingfield

1.00 Bond City, 1.30 Golden Quest, 2.00 Akimbo, 2.30 Lindus Atenor, 3.05 Close To You, 3.35 Key Of Solomon, 4.05 Effective.

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Hamilton (evening, Flat), Nottingham (afternoon, Flat) and Salisbury (evening, Flat).

Updated: 12:43 Friday, July 08, 2005