BUMPER crowds are expected at next week's York star-studded Tote Ebor Festival three-day race meeting on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Following the record crowd which flocked to Knavesmire on John Smith's Cup Day last month, the advanced bookings for the Tote Ebor Festival are about 20 per cent up over last year.

Record prize money of almost £2 million will be on offer over the three days.

The Juddmonte International Stakes, with a total prize fund of £450,000, is the opening day's feature race.

This could see a clash between Medicean, Grandera and Black Minnaloushe, first, second and fifth respectively in the Coral Eurobet Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.

Goldolphin's Sakhee - runner-up to Sinndar in last season's Vodafone Derby - could also take his chance in the line-up for the ten-furlong Group One contest.

On the same card Storming Home, fourth behind Galileo in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes last month, is due to take his chance in the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes.

Europe's richest handicap, the £185,000 Tote Ebor, the Group One Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks and the Scottish Equitable Gimcrack Stakes are the highlights on Wednesday.

It is 'Ladies' Day' on Thursday when most interest will surround Mozart's challenge for the Group One Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes over five furlongs.

The Peugeot Lowther Stakes, a Group Two race for juvenile fillies, could see local hope Good Girl bidding to supplement her win in a valuable event at Newbury for Malton trainer Tim Easterby.

The Peugeot Charity Trophy will be presented to the leading jockey of the Festival (won last year by Michael Kinane) who will receive a charitable donation of £5,000 divided between the Injured Jockeys' Fund and BEN, the Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund.

After the July meeting, the awards for the leading trainer and jockey of the season at York are led by North Yorkshire racing personalities, trainer Mark Johnston, of Middleham, and champion jockey Kevin Darley, from Sheriff Hutton.

With five winners so far this term, Johnston heads the table in the Minster Jaguar Trophy, while Darley is ahead in the Studford Inns Jockey's Championship with eight winners.

Racegoers buying a three-day Festival badge will get in free into the equivalent enclosure at York's meeting on Wednesday, September 5.

Racing on all three days begins at 2pm (gates open 11.30am).

The giant ToteVision screen will enable racegoers to see all the action. The free creche 'Colts & Fillies' is available.

Updated: 12:55 Wednesday, August 15, 2001