STAND by to be thrilled.

York opens its doors for the first time in 2006 tomorrow with the start of its three-day May Festival when top jockeys, leading trainers and, of course, talented horses will be thronging to Knavesmire to provide racegoers and punters with a real treat.

Aidan O'Brien and Kieren Fallon, a formidable trainer-jockey combination, with two Classic wins to their credit already this season, will be bidding to remain in the spotlight, courtesy of Alexandrova in the £60,000 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes.

A 420,000 guineas purchase as a yearling, Alexandrova, a daughter of Sadler's Wells, made significant strides last season, ending-up with a narrow defeat by Nanina in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket in September.

Out of a Shirley Heights mare, Alexandrova looks a high-class filly in the making and O'Brien's Tipperary team are hoping that she can develop her potential by landing this Group 3 event, which is a traditional stepping-stone to the Oaks.

O'Brien has already won the English and French 2,000 Guineas this season with George Washington and Aussie Rules, both partnered by Fallon.

Tim Easterby saddles Somnus in the £100,000 Duke Of York Heathstead Homes Stakes - tomorrow's richest race - and is expecting a bold show from his six-year-old.

The leading European sprinter in 2004, Somnus finished a close-up fourth in this Group 2 race on his reappearance last season. But that promise was never fulfilled afterwards as the Great Habton struggled to recapture his best form.

Easterby, though, believes he has got his stablestar back to something like his former self now and is hopeful that Somnus will return to winning ways this term.

It may be asking a lot to expect him to actually win tomorrow, without the benefit of a preparatory race, but he is much too good a horse to underestimate and he should certainly not be dismissed lightly, particularly by each-way backers.

Jamie Spencer can get his name on the York scoreboard, courtesy of Levera in the Blue Square Handicap.

Trained by Alan King, who is best known for his exploits with jumpers, but who is rapidly gaining a worthy reputation as a skilled dual-purpose handler, Levera has won both his races this season and there was much to like about his latest victory at Newmarket.

A 3lb penalty may not be enough to scupper this progressive performer in his hat-trick attempt.

Ryedale trainer John Quinn can make his presence felt with Focus Group in the Newton Investment Management Handicap.

This ex-Henry Cecil inmate has had his share of problems in his career, but he is clearly a talented individual and one who looks to be running into form. He makes plenty of appeal undere Graham Gibbons. rider of Quinn's Lincoln winner Blythe Knight at the beginning of the campaign.

Pipe's dreams

DAVID Pipe, who has made a bright start to his training career since taking over from his legendary father Martin, can figure among the winners at Newton Abbot this evening, writes Tom O'Ryan.

Pipe saddles nap selection Red Echo in the Marsh Novices' Handicap Hurdle and the five-year-old is fancied to come out on top.

Red Echo was one of Pipe snr's last winners when scoring over this course-and-distance last month and there is every chance that he can also do David Pipe a good turn by winning again tonight.

Penzance is a very interesting runner in the Happy 50th Birthday Jim Mills Novices' Chase.

Trained by Alan King, last year's Triumph Hurdle winner has had a chequered time since, but he ran a fine race at Sandown less than three weeks ago to finish a close-up third to Noble Request.

Now tackling fences for the first time, he promises to prove a useful recruit to the chasing ranks.

Racing selections

TONIGHT

Newton Abbot

Selected races: 7.40 Red Echo (Nap), 8.10 Penzance.

Today's other meetings are at Newcastle, Brighton, Southwell and Huntingdon.

TOMORROW

York

Selected races: 1.45 Focus Group, 2.15 Levera, 2.45 Alexandrova, 3.15 Somnus.

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Bath, Exeter, Hereford and Perth.

Updated: 11:40 Tuesday, May 16, 2006