PAT Eddery, seen to such good effect when making all the running on Give The Slip in last year's Tote Ebor Handicap, can stage a repeat Knavesmire victory on Moon Emperor tomorrow - using totally different tactics.

The 11-times champion jockey will bid to produce Moon Emperor late, just as he did in sensational style at Ascot 11 days ago when the John Jenkins-trained four-year-old swept through to gain a length success over First Ballot.

That race was over two miles, but Moon Emperor is equally adept at tomorrow's shorter distance and a 7lb penalty may not be enough to anchor this tough and consistent campaigner, who is awarded the nap vote.

Foreign Affairs, gambled-on when winning the John Smith's Cup here in mid-summer, will have plenty of supporters as he bids to complete a notable Knavesmire double.

The doubt about Sir Mark Prescott's colt is his unproven stamina as he steps up almost half-a-mile in distance. But if he stays, he looks sure to take plenty of beating.

Kevin Darley's mount Archduke Ferdinand and the lightly-weighted Kuster also make plenty of appeal in what promises to be a cracking renewal of this famous race.

But Pat Eddery knows what it takes to win and he is expected to take the lion's share of the £185,000 on offer aboard the fit and fancied Moon Emperor.

Eddery can also lift the Costcutter Roses Stakes on the speedy Irony.

Jamie Osborne's high-class sprinter suffered his first defeat in the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood, but did precious little wrong and can get back on top here.

A field of nine go to post for the £250,000 Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks and Ed Dunlop has an outstanding chance of scooping the pool with Mot Juste, the mount of Frankie Dettori.

This smart filly failed by only a neck to beat her stablemate Lailani in the Irish Oaks last month.

Valuable compensation now awaits her.

Anyone who saw Saddad make a winning debut at Yarmouth last month, will not be in a hurry to oppose him in the Scottish Equitable Gimcrack Stakes.

Sir Michael Stoute's colt treated an admittedly ordinary field with contempt as he stroke home three lengths clear.

He has a much tougher assignment tomorrow, but is expected to take plenty of beating.

Telesto, a well-regarded newcomer from the Stoute camp, can provide the Newmarket trainer with another winner.

Kieren Fallon takes the mount on the juvenile in the Moorestyle Convivial Maiden Stakes, a race Stoute captured with Ghayth 12 months ago.

In the Motability and RAC Rated Handicap, Stoute has yet another live chance with Houseparty.

This progressive three-year-old figures at the right end of the weight-scale and, with top apprentice Jamie Mackay in the saddle, a bold bid is anticipated.

The Falmouth Handicap over five furlongs provides punters with a head-scratching end to the afternoon, but Sir Desmond should give backers a good run for their money after his excellent effort to finish third from a nigh-on impossible draw at Beverley last week.

HENRY Cecil has only one runner at York's Ebor meeting but Sacred Song could give him something to sing about.

The Warren Place trainer is looking forward to a good showing from the filly in the £250,000 Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks at York tomorrow.

He said at Nottingham: "She has the Irish Oaks second to beat, but she is in the best form of her life so we will have a go.

"Hopefully, we will get good ground. I think we should do."

The four-year-old Sacred Song was a smooth winner of the Halliwell Landau Lancashire Oaks at Haydock last month.

Tomorrow's tips:

YORK

2.00 Houseparty

2.35 Mot Juste

3.10 Moon Emperor (NAP)

3.45 Saddad

4.15 Irony

4.45 Telesto

5.15 Sir Desmond

MUSSELBURGH

2.25 Dearest Daisy

3.00 Little John

3.35 Once More For Luck

4.05 Pertemps Fc

4.35 Lion's Domane

5.05 Debbie's Hope

5.35 Radanpour

Updated: 12:42 Tuesday, August 21, 2001