JAMES Fanshawe is likely to run his useful Grandera in the big Juddmonte Inter-national Stakes at York on Tuesday.

The Newmarket handler has also left the colt in the Great Voltigeur Stakes the same day but, after scanning the acceptors, is tilting towards the Group One showpiece instead.

He said: "My intention is to go for the Juddmonte, although we have got the option of the Great Voltigeur as well.

"I hope the rains keep away. He likes good ground, or faster.

"He has done everything right and I am looking forward to next week."

The three-year-old chestnut is one of 14 acceptors for the Juddmonte and 18 for the Group Two Great Voltigeur.

Grandera was a half-length second of eight behind Medicean in the Coral Eurobet Eclipse Stakes at Sandown last time out.

Medicean, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, is one of the leading fancies for the Juddmonte.

Irish-bred Grandera was an excellent third to Anabaa Blue in the French Derby at Chantilly before his Sandown effort.

The mile and a quarter of the Juddmonte will be the same distance as the Eclipse but two furlongs shorter than the French Derby.

Another of Stoute's horses could also land the Great Voltigeur. The three-year-old Beekeeper is quietly fancied to run a good race.

Harry Herbert, managing director of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Ltd, which owns the colt, is keen to see how Beekeeper runs before setting his sights on a crack at the Rothmans Royals St Leger at Doncaster next month.

The son of Rainbow Quest lines up for the Group Two event in fine fettle after an impressive win in the 20-runner King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot last time out.

Harlequin, highly fancied for Wednesday's Tote Ebor, will not run because of a slight muscle pull.

The Stoute-trained colt will not be risked in the race which sees North Yorkshire favourite Akbar among the favourites. He is trained by Mark Johnston at Middleham.

Tote Ebor, sponsors' betting: 8-1 Ovambo, 9-1 Artillery, 10-1 Solo Flight, 12-1 Mutakarrim, Harlequin, 14-1 Akbar, Cover Up, First Ballot, Mediterranean, 16-1 Hambleden, Travelmate, 20-1 Maniatis, Ravenswood, Kuster, Rhythmicall, Moon Emperor, Shayadi, 25 bar.

York's clerk of the course John Smith said: "The forecast is for unsettled weather over the weekend with localised showers but, unless we get very heavy rain, I'd be hoping it's no worse than good for the start of the meeting.

Updated: 09:45 Saturday, August 18, 2001