YORK RACES is ready for the off with a later start than usual to the new season.

The Knavesmire campaign kicks in to action next Wednesday with the three-day May Festival, beginning a day later than normal.

That means the course will be hosting a Friday fixture in May for the first time ever and with bookings up 25 per cent racecourse bosses reckon they are on a winner.

The meeting is perhaps the most definitive of Derby trials, a pointer to the Oaks and also boasts a top-class Group One contest over a mile.

The May meeting at York is undoubtably one of the best in the racing calendar.

The highlight is the totesport Dante Stakes on Thursday. The ten-furlong affair has long been regarded as a stepping stone to the premier Classic and was won 12 months ago by the Sir Michael Stoute-trained North Light, who went on to glory in the blue riband at Epsom.

A very nice prize in its own right with £145,000 in added money, this year's renewal is likely to centre around Michael Bell's Motivator, unbeaten as a two-year-old and vying for Derby favouritism with Footstepsinthesand.

The Tattersalls Musidora Stakes on Wednesday gives the fillies their chance to stake a Classic claim, on a card backed up by the Duke Of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes over six furlongs.

Friday's feature sees the stayers in the spotlight courtesy of the Emirate Airline Yorkshire Cup over a mile and three-quarters.

Crack stayer Papineau is due to have his first race since winning the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last year.

The Godolphin star has had injury problems since he defeated French challenger Westerner at Royal Ascot and according to racing manager Simon Crisford the chestnut may be "a bit rusty" on his return to action in the Yorkshire Cup.

"He did have ankle surgery after winning the Ascot Gold Cup and he has been nursed back to fitness," explained Crisford.

"He will be a bit rusty next week as he has been off for a long time, but he seems in very good spirits."

Aidan O'Brien is poised to unleash two more members of his powerful three-year-old squad.

Albert Hall and Mona Lisa are set to represent the dual Classic-winning trainer on Knavesmire.

O'Brien has pencilled in his Derby hope Albert Hall for the Dante while Mona Lisa is lined up for a return to action in the Musidora.

O'Brien said: "Albert Hall won the Beresford at the Curragh and then he was second in the Racing Post Trophy.

"He's a big horse who has done very well over the winter."

Mona Lisa is still a maiden. She finished fourth in the Fillies' Mile at Ascot when she just got checked a couple of times late on.

Albert Hall should come up against Motivator in the Dante. The classy Montjeu colt is ante-post favourite for next month's Derby at Epsom at a best-priced 6-1 on the strength of a faultless two-year-old campaign.

The clash promises to be one to remember for York punters.

Updated: 10:21 Saturday, May 07, 2005