Golan and Nayef, seperated by little more than a whisker in last month's King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot, lock horns again tomorrow in a thrilling rematch which promises to be the centrepiece on the opening day of York's Ebor meeting.

The £450,000 Juddmonte International Stakes is the prestigious platform on which these two top-notch performers will meet again; Golan against Nayef, Sir Michael Stoute against Marcus Tregoning, Kieren Fallon against Richard Hills.

With seven runners in the line-up, the field includes Starbourne, who is essentially a pacemaker for Golan, and a vital cog in the victory wheel.

Fallon brought Golan from the rear of the field at Ascot to get the better of Nayef in a thrilling finish. Apart from a masterly piece of riding, it was also an exceptional training feat by Sir Michael, who was producing this colt to win a Group 1 race on his seasonal debut.

If anything, Golan can be expected to prove even more effective tomorrow and I expect him to confirm his slender superiority over Nayef.

Not that it is a two-horse race. Sir Michael will also be represented by the classy No Excuse Needed, while Saeed Bin Suroor and the Godolphin team will field Noverre as they bid to follow-up their win 12 months ago with Sakhee.

But Golan is my selection to provide Stoute with his fourth win in York's showpiece since 1990.

North Yorkshire stables promise to make a big impact on Knavesmire's first day of action.

Mark Johnston and Tim Easterby field Bandari and Bollin Eric respectively in the Great Voltigeur Stakes. I prefer Bandari, a Derby flop but impressive when scoring at Goodwood three weeks ago.

Johnston and Easterby will also cross swords in the Gerrard Wealth Management Eglinton Nursery, with Johnston saddling the hat-trick seeking Nuit Sombre and his Great Habton rival relying on Magic Myth.

While Magic Myth has also won her last two races, she may struggle to contain Nuit Sombre, who was particularly impressive when scoring at Ayr and Newcastle. Kevin Darley's mount remains on the upgrade.

My Nap selection goes to the 'other' Easterby, Sheriff Hutton-based Mick, who is represented by Sporting Gesture in the Ladbroke Knavesmire Handicap.

A previous winner on this course, Sporting Gesture has yet to get his head in front this season. But this is his favourite time of year and, primed to make a bold bid, he is napped to oblige for local owner, Steve Hull and jockey Dale Gibson.

Give Notice, trained by John Dunlop, makes as much appeal as any in the Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Stakes, while Mark Johnston has yet another chance of victory in the Paradime Acomb Stakes with Bourbonnais, a previous course and distance winner.

Pocklington owner Reg Bond enjoyed the thrill of a lifetime when Bond Boy carried his colours to victory in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood at the beginning of the month. On home ground, Bond would be just as pleased to see the five-year-old land his second York win of the season in the Links Of London Showcase Handicap.

Tomorrow's tips:

York

1.45 Bourbonnais

2.20 Give Notice

2.55 Golan

3.30 Bandari

4.00 Sporting Gesture (Nap)

4.30 Nuit Sombre

5.05 Bond Boy

Hamilton

2.00 Stonegrave

2.35 Inchberry

3.10 Moujoudh

3.45 Spice Island

4.15 Nimello

4.45 Goretski

Updated: 12:04 Monday, August 19, 2002