Not since 1989, when he saddled the first two home led by Icona, has Sir Michael Stoute managed to win the John Smith’s Cup, but the Newmarket maestro can end his drought tomorrow by landing Knavesmire’s £150,000 showpiece with Imposing.

The mount of champion jockey Ryan Moore, Imposing was a winner over this course and distance in May and he has every chance of following up on his third start of the campaign.

His latest outing came at Royal Ascot last month when, after being a heavily-backed favourite, he was narrowly beaten by Cill Rialiag in the Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap after coming from an unpromising position on the home turn.

Imposing is fancied to gain massive compensation for that defeat tomorrow, not that it’s going to be easy, however.

Zetland Gold Cup winner Forte Dei Marmi, the mount of Kieren Fallon, is one major danger, as are Tom Tate’s pair, Distant Memories and King’s Gambit, and the progressive three-year-old Wigmore Hall, trained by Michael Bell.

Add to that little lot a five-strong squad of runners trained by Richard Fahey, who has won the race three times, and it’s plain to see that this year’s Cup lives up to previous runnings.

Imposing will need to work hard, but he can provide this year’s Derby-winning trainer Stoute with an overdue victory in the 51st year of York’s prestigious handicap.

The nap vote is awarded to Webbow in the John Smith’s Racing Handicap.

Nigel Tinkler’s gelding is long overdue a win. He has had three outings this season and, after being unlucky in the first two, at Chester and Haydock, he was beaten by less two lengths into fifth place in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot. He is expected to take all the beating on the strength of that form.

Deauville Flyer failed to do favourite backers a good turn when finishing only fifth in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle two outings ago, but Tim Easterby’s talented gelding is fancied to get back on top in the John Smith’s Silver Cup Handicap.

He won on this course in May and, despite his latest defeat when things failed to pan out quite right for him, he remains a progressive stayer.

Easterby may also have another winner with Another Citizen in the John Smith’s Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

Although he is unraced, Another Citizen, a son of Byron, received a positive mention from his trainer earlier this week.

Others to watch are the in-form Cornus (2.00) and recent Catterick winner Orchid Street (5.25).

At Ascot, the absence of Paco Boy from the £100,000 totesport. com Summer Mile leaves the way open for Premio Loco, whose trainer, Chris Wall, can land the totescoop6 Handicap with the useful Citrus Star.


Racing selections

York (today)
2.15 Polar Kite (NAP), 2.45 Gilt Edge Girl, 3.20 Smarty Socks, 3.55 Emerging Artist, 4.30 Motrice, 5.05 Secret Venue.

Today’s other meetings:
Ascot, Chepstow, Chester, Newbury and Newmarket.

York (tomorrow)
2.00 Cornus, 2.30 Webbow (NAP), 3.05 Imposing, 3.40 Deauville Flyer, 4.15 Another Citizen, 4.50 Dubai Media, 5.25 Orchid Street.

Ascot
1.45 Citrus Star, 2.20 Rojo Boy, 2.55 Premio Loco, 3.30 Danehillsundance, 4.05 Sarasota Sunshine, 4.40 Monsieur Joe, 5.15 Brynfa Boy.

Tomorrow’s other meetings:
Chester, Hamilton, Nottingham and Salisbury.