With Japanese superstar Zenno Rob Roy locking horns with top Italian raider Electrocutionist, tomorrow's Juddmonte International Stakes fully lives up to its name as York's thrilling three-day Ebor Festival gets underway.

A seven-strong field bid for Group 1 honours in this £460,000 showpiece, and all eyes will be on Zenno Rob Roy, who won three Group 1 races in his homeland last season, including the Japan Cup at Tokyo.

The five-year-old has had just one preparatory for this laid-out target - a second-placed effort in June - but Zenno Rob Roy, who has spent the last two weeks acclimatizing in Newmarket, is expected to be fully primed for his British debut.

In opposition is Electrocutionist, who has been beaten only once in a six-race career in Italy, and who boasts a two-from-two record this season. He will be partnered by Mick Kinane.

Add to the mix, Norse Dancer, runner-up to Sulamani in this race 12 months ago, and Sir Michael Stoute's Maraahel, runner-up to Bandari on this course in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, and you get a further flavour for this fascinating race.

The classy New Morning, Godolphin's former star performer Doyen and Ace make up the field, and my idea of the winner is the last-named, representing the Aidan O'Brien-Kieren Fallon combination, which took America by storm over the weekend when winning the Arlington Million with Powerscourt.

Ace failed to stay a mile and a half in the King George at Newbury last time, fading out of front-line contention late on to finish fifth, but he had previously run an absolute blinder over this course and distance at Royal Ascot to be beaten only a length and a half into second by King George winner Azamour in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.

Tomorrow's event, lacking a genuine pace-maker, could turn out to be a falsely-run tactical affair, which potentially puts more speed than stamina into the equation. Ace is not lacking in speed and he is my nap selection to put Zenno Rob Roy and Electrocutionist in their place.

Local trainers like nothing better than a winner at this high-profile meeting and Kevin Ryan and Mick Easterby could be among the victors on day one. Ryan's High Curragh makes plenty of appeal in the Irwin Mitchell Solicitors Nursery, following a maiden win at Ayr and a handicap success at Thirsk over an inadequate five furlongs. He will relish the return to six furlongs tomorrow, and it is significant that Fallon is on board.

Easterby could strike first blood at the meeting in the Ladbroke Knavesmire Handicap with Trust Rule, a horse who is just coming to hand at the right time, judged by his latest fourth-placed effort at Chester. Paul Mulrennan will be in the saddle.

The classy Distinction, winner of the Goodwood Cup, can clinch the Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Stakes for Sir Michael Stoute and Mick Kinane, a combination which also look to be strong in the Acomb Stakes by Regal Royale.

This well-bred colt created a good impression on a winning debut at Newbury last month and looks a high-class performer in the making.

The Geezer, an impressive five-lengths winner at Goodwood last time, can use the valuable Daily Telegraph Great Voltigeur Stakes as a stepping-stone to next month's St Leger at Doncaster. Richard Quinn again has the mount.

The concluding Partington Haven Leisure Park Handicap is wide-open, but recent Newmarket winner Greenslades should go well.

Tuesday's tips

York

1-20 Trust Rule, 1-55 Distinction, 2-30 The Geezer, 3-05 Ace (NAP), 3-35 Regal Royale, 4-10 High Curragh, 4-45 Greenslades

Hamilton

1-35 Nelsons Column, 2-10 Jordans Spark, 2-45 Regent's Secret, 3-20 Blackheath, 3-50 Torrent, 4-25 Ti Adora, 5-00 Rare Coincidence

There are no other race meetings tomorrow.

Tom O'Ryan's nap for today's racing is: Stargazer Jim in the 8.10 at Windsor.

Updated: 12:39 Monday, August 15, 2005