THE presence of Group One-placed Medicean appears to have scared off the leading bookmakers from pricing up the 41st John Smith's Cup at York on Saturday.

The big three - Ladbrokes, William Hill and Coral - have left Knavesmire's £135,000 Showcase Handicap alone.

However, the Tote have opened a book on the mile-and-a-quarter feature following the five-day entry stage at which there were 27 confirmations.

They make Medicean the 7-4 favourite on the strength of his third behind subsequent Coral-Eclipse winner Giant's Causeway in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

That effort in the Group One race over a mile came too late to affect the 8st 10lb that Sir Michael Stoute's charge carries on Saturday and he is 15lb "well-in" compared to his current official rating.

But John Marsh, of Cheveley Park Stud, the owners of Medicean, warned that the colt had a choice of entries in the coming weeks.

"The John Smith's Cup is an option, he's got quite a few entries around. I wouldn't thought he'd be likely to run if it came up soft," he said.

Stoute, who has also left in recent Goodwood winner Nooshman (8st 1lb), sent out last year's runner-up Siege and won the race when it was known as the John Smith's Magnet Cup with Icona in 1989.

Should Medicean line-up on the Knavesmire, he will meet Man O'Mystery (8-2) on terms 12lb worse than when they met at Sandown in April - when Stoute's runner came out on top by just a short-head in a conditions race.

Man O'Mystery also ran with distinction at Royal Ascot when a fast-finishing fourth to El Gran Papa in the Britannia Stakes.

Bookmakers may be frightened of taking on Medicean, but Man O'Mystery's trainer Jeremy Noseda would relish another crack at him.

"We have a big turnaround in the weights - 12lb - we'll give him another shot," said Noseda.

"But Medicean is clearly a much-improved horse since then."

Noseda has had the York race in mind for some time for the son of Diesis.

"This was always the plan," added the Newmarket trainer.

"I'm hopeful that he'll get the trip. If the weights stay as they are, John Egan would ride.

"Everything's well and the only ground I wouldn't want would be very fast ground."

The weights are unlikely to be raised as Tissifer, the top weight on 9st 12lb, is set to take his chance.

"Both Tissifer and Cardiff Arms are well and are intended runners at this stage," said Middleham trainer Mark Johnston.

"We shall have to hunt around for riders and see what's happening. There's not many jockeys about with a lot of them banned."

One top jockey already committed is title-chasing Kevin Darley.

He has been snapped up by Richard Fahey for Inch Perfect (8-6), twice a York winner this season albeit over longer trips.

The Butterwick, near Malton trainer's wife Leila said: "Bar injuries, he runs. We're very hopeful - he's well enough to be declared.

The Clive Brittain-trained Nobelist (9-8), who had Inch Perfect three and a half lengths back in third when winning the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar in May, is also in the field.

John Smith's Cup: The Tote bet: 7-4 Medicean, 6-1 Man O'Mystery, 7-1 Nooshman, 8-1 Milligan, 10-1 Westender, 12-1 Triple Dash, 14-1 Inch Perfect, 16-1 First Fantasy, Jedi Knight, Pension Fund, 20-1 Hudood, Sobriety, 25-1 bar.