CAN she make it eight? That's the burning question in advance of tomorrow's latest Royal Ascot action as North Yorkshire's brightest star bids to shine yet again, this time on racing's brightest stage.

Attraction, trained by Mark Johnston at Middleham and unbeaten in seven starts, goes for the Group 1 Coronation Stakes, worth more than £240,000.

Sheriff Hutton-based Kevin Darley, who, not surprisingly, rates Attraction as "my ace ride of the meeting," takes the mount on the flying filly after clinching the final event on yesterday's card aboard Celtic Heroine.

Attraction, last year's top juvenile sprint filly, has scaled even greater heights this season over a mile, by gaining an historic English-Irish 1,000 Guineas double.

Tomorrow sees a test of a different kind, her first race on a turning track, which in itself offers a new challenge to a filly whose bent forelegs have received almost as much publicity as her achievements.

Attraction, however, has class in abundance, and even though a slight doubt lingers regarding her ability to reproduce her best form around a left-hand turn, she is very difficult to oppose. Eight from eight looks a distinct possibility.

The King Edward VII Stakes has drawn a field of seven runners, headed by Rule Of Law, who bids to make it third-time-lucky after finishing second to North Light in both the Derby and the Dante Stakes at York.

Those efforts represent the best form in the race, but it could well be that Frankie Dettori's mount may be feeling the effects of those two tough races, in which case, Barati, trained by John Oxx, may be the one to pick up the pieces.

The Queen's Vase over two miles offers Dettori another sound chance on Duke Of Venice, but this excitable colt is vulnerable as he steps up in trip and a value-for-money alternative could well be Tarandot, a winner at York last time and, with only three races under her belt, open to further improvement. She comes from George Margarson's in-form Newmarket yard.

Masa, an impressive winner on her debut at Lingfield last month, can give Dettori a winner in the Godolphin colours in the opening Albany Stakes, in which Richard Fahey's well-regarded Golden Legacy could prove rewarding at a big price for each-way backers.

As for the Wolferton Rated Handicap, Millafonic makes plenty of appeal.

Luca Cumani's colt was beaten less than two lengths into sixth place behind Blue Spinnaker in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar on his reappearance, when he failed to get the cleanest of runs, and is entitled to improve for that outing.

Darryll Holland, who interrupted his Royal Ascot schedule to make a flying visit to Ripon last night (where he rode one winner) takes the mount.

At Redcar, African Breeze is considered worthy of the nap vote in the Ings Maiden Stakes after a spirited effort to finish fourth in the Hilary Needler Trophy at Beverley last time, when she suffered trouble in running.

Friday's tips:

Royal Ascot

2.30 Masa 3.05 Barati, 3.45 Attraction, 4.20 Millafonic, 4.55 Tarandot, 5.30 Mystic Man

Redcar

2.10 African Breeze (Nap), 2.45 Eton, 3.20 Arrgatt, 3.55 Goodbye Mr Bond, 4.30 Kingsmaite, 5.05 Regent's Secret

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Ayr, Goodwood and Newmarket

Tom O'Ryan's nap for today is Space Shuttle in the 8.15 at Beverley

Updated: 11:51 Friday, June 18, 2004