Mamool, who made a successful return to British action on Knavesmire last month when winning the Yorkshire Cup, can underline his talents as a top-class stayer in the making by taking the top honours at Royal Ascot tomorrow.

The four-year-old, trained by Saeed bin Suroor for the Godolphin organization, goes for the £250,000 Gold Cup and is napped to emerge triumphant in the hands of Frankie Dettori.

Mamool, a winner in Dubai in February, provided York racegoers with a reminder of his ability last month when coming from last to first to beat Warrsan and Bollin Eric.

The merit of that display was subsequently highlighted when the runner-up, unbeaten in his two previous races this season, bounced back to winning form in the Coronation Cup at Epsom's Derby meeting.

Mamool does, of course, have to prove his stamina for two-and-a-half miles tomorrow. But there is every reason to believe that this laid-back colt will give himself every chance of staying this six-furlongs longer trip. He will surely be hard to beat.

Dettori can get off to a flying start aboard another York winner, Khaleyf, in the opening Norfolk Stakes.

Mark Johnston, who has the biggest and best team from the north at Royal Ascot, is fancied to land the King George V Handicap with Fantastic Love.

Keith Dalgleish's mount is tough, talented and consistent and he was an unlucky loser at Windsor last time, having almost been put out of the race by a hanging rival.

Jebel Suraaj can also score for Johnston in the Britannia Handicap. Winner of his last races, Kevin Darley's partner is improving at a rapid rate.

Sun On The Sea may be able to overshadow Summitville and Inchberry - third and fourth in the Vodafone Oaks - in the Ribblesdale Stakes, while Sublimity, yet another winner at York's May meeting, looks the one to beat in the Hampton Court Stakes.

At Ripon, Strensall should not be overlooked in the Total Butler Handicap over his best distance of five furlongs.

He will have the assistance of Paul Hanagan, who can also score on the promising Beauchamp Rose (2.10) before journeying to Beverley, where he can win the McLean & Appleton Handicap over five furlongs on Sir Sandrovitch.

Birthday Suit (8.15) and Swift Tango (8.50) are two others to consider at Beverley's new evening fixture.

Tomorrow's tips:

Royal Ascot

2.30 Khaleyf; 3.05 Sun Of The Sea; 3.45 Mamool (NAP); 4.20 Fantastic Love; 4.55 Sublimity; 5.30 Jebel Suraaj.

Ripon

2.10 Beauchamp Rose; 2.45 Savitsky; 3.20 Strensall; 3.55 Young Mr Grace; 4.30 Shalbeblue; 5.05 Arpeggio; 5.40 Coolbythepool.

Beverley

6.45 Top Of The Class; 7.15 Straw Bear; 7.45 Sir Sandrovitch; 8.15 Birthday Suit 8.50 Swift Tango; 9.20 Silver City.

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Ayr and Southwell

Updated: 10:37 Thursday, June 19, 2003