THE scene is set for a cracking days' racing at York tomorrow and Tim Easterby again looks poised to hit the headlines on the Evening Press-sponsored seven-race card, which has attracted a mammoth 139 runners.

The Great Habton trainer made a tiny piece of history when sending out My American Beauty to win the first-ever Knavesmire race staged on a Sunday at this ground-breaking meeting 12 months ago. And Easterby has an outstanding chance of gaining a repeat victory in the corresponding Maxiprint Nursery with either of his two representatives, Chantilly Myth and Travelling Times.

Preference is for Chantilly Myth, who got off the mark in maiden company at Thirsk last time and looks well-weighted for her handicap debut.

Travelling Times underlined his well-being by winning at Ripon earlier this week, but, now under a 5lb penalty, he may not cope with Chantilly Myth, the mount of Jamie Spencer, who is awarded the nap vote.

A hugely-talented jockey, Irishman Spencer looks likely to enjoy a profitable afternoon. He also teams-up with course specialist Ice in the Crystal Windows Claiming Stakes and the well-regarded newcomer Nash Me in the Wundercars Maiden Stakes.

The most valuable race on the card is the £25,000 Flat Roof Company Showcase Handicap in which Hambleden is fancied to defy top weight.

Michael Jarvis's talented four-year-old will relish this step back up to one and three-quarter miles after running a series of creditable races in defeat at around twelve furlongs.

Richard Fahey's Inch Perfect, a former winner on this course, ran well here at the Ebor meeting last month to finish fifth from a poor draw and will not be short of supporters.

But the big local hope may not cope with Hambleden, who is expected to carry Michael Tebbutt to victory.

The £15,000 Polo Smoothies Handicap over a mile has attracted a maximum 26-strong field and preference is for Typhoon Ginger, who is attractively drawn in stall seven.

Tony Mulholland's mare took an age to lose her maiden tag, but her recent Redcar success was long overdue and, as so often happens, now that she has got her head in front the chances are that she can win again. Fergus Sweeney will again take the mount.

The draw will again play a big factor in deciding the outcome of the 24-strong Monks Cross Shopping Park Quintin Gilbey Silver Trophy, with low numbers having a distinct advantage over the angled seven-furlongs course.

What-A-Dancer, nicely positioned in stall five, will have the added advantage of Richard Quinn in the saddle. Narrowly beaten at Redcar last time out, Alan Swinbank's gelding can recover losses here.

Top jockey Quinn, who served the early part of his apprenticeship at Malton with Herbert Jones, can also land the Smith Brothers Maiden Auction Stakes on Rival, trained by Paul Cole.

At Hamilton, a note should be made of the speedy Strawberry Patch (2-25) and Pepper Road (4-05), who ran well from a near-impossible draw at Beverley last Sunday.

Four of tomorrow's races from York will be televised by Sky 3. They are the 3.05, 3.40, 4.15 and 4.50.

Tomorrow's selections

YORK

2-00...............Chantilly Myth (NAP)

2-35............................................Ice

3-05........................What-A-Dancer

3-40......................Typhoon Ginger

4-15..............................Hambleden

4-5...........................................Rival

5-20...................................Nash Me

HAMILTON

2-25.................... Strawberry Patch

2-55............................ Kuwait Rose

3-30........................... Pepper Road

4-05.........................................Nouf

4-40..................................Pipadash

5-10..........................Katie Komaite

Updated: 11:19 Saturday, September 01, 2001