Giant's Causeway, as tough as he is talented, can carry off the £450,000 Juddmonte International Stakes on the opening day of York's star-studded Ebor Festival tomorrow.

Trained in Ireland by Aidan O'Brien, Giant's Causeway will have five rivals in this Group 1 showpiece, including his own stablemate Shoal Creek, who is likely to act as trailblazer to ensure a good even gallop and a properly-run race.

Giant's Causeway, runner-up in both the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas, has gone from strength to strength since, winning three consecutive Group 1 races on this side of the Irish Sea.

Known as the 'Iron Horse', because of his never-say-die battling qualities, Giant's Causeway showed every fibre of his grit and determination when winning the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal, the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and again at Sandown on his latest start when he pulled-off the Coral-Eclipse Stakes.

Kalanisi, narrowly beaten by Giant's Causeway last time, will renew rivalry again, while the classy Barathea Guest, who ran exceedingly well in two Classics in the spring, will have the services of a new jocke - Frankie Dettori, replacing Philip Robinson - since the colt was recently moved from George Margarson to Mick Channon.

A cracking race is in prospect, but Giant's Causeway is fancied to notch his fourth Group 1 victory on the bounce.

Whatever his fate with Kalanisi in the feature race, Sir Michael Stoute has further excellent prospects in the £110,000 Great Voltigeur Stakes with Air Marshall, a slightly unlucky loser of the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, and Dalampour, impressive winner of the Queens Vase at Royal Ascot.

Although not out since that triumph in mid-June, Dalampour is marginally preferred to his stablemate. The Aga Khan-owned colt appeals as the type of a potential big improver and this drop back to a mile and a half from two miles should not count against him.

Yorkshire stables are strongly represented in the supporting races and it would come as no surprise to see a winner or two celebrated in the home county.

Middleham-based Mark Johnston has solid claims in the opening Breckenbrough Racing Acomb Stakes with Saratov, the mount of Kevin Darley.

This dual-winner, already successful over this course and distance, is on the upgrade and could well cope with this smart field.

Johnson has double claims with Royal Rebel in the Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Stakes. The Peter Savill-owned four-year-old proved his burgeoning prowess with a gutsy win in the Goodwood Cup less than three weeks ago.

James Bethell has his horses in cracking form after a nightmare 12 months and the Middleham trainer has every chance of capturing the Links Of London Eglinton Nursery with Stretton, the mount of smart apprentice Lee Newman.

A creditable runner-up to Petongski at Newcastle last time, Stretton will relish this extra furlong and is awarded the nap vote.

In the other two events, Rich Vein, who has progressed well this season, will appreciate the twelve furlongs of the Ladbroke Knavesmire Handicap, while Flak Jacket has solid claims in the Harewood Handicap.