FRONTIERSMAN is set for his toughest assignment to date in the Grand Cup Stakes at York tomorrow.

The Godolphin-owned colt got off to the best possible start this season with victory in a competitive handicap at Newmarket’s QIPCO Guineas Festival on May 7.

Trainer Charlie Appleby is now sending his four-year-old to the Knavesmire to line-up alongside Peter Niven’s Clever Cookie and Sir Michael Stoute’s Midterm in the day’s Listed feature race.

“We see the race as a bit of a ‘fact-finding mission’ as we are stepping up in trip to a mile and three-quarters and we are hoping that this might open doors for him in the future” said Appleby.

“He is a beautifully bred horse. I couldn’t be happier with him and I feel that he has got this level in him.

“This race will, all being well, show us whether he is a horse to campaign in Pattern mile and a half races or make up into a ‘Cup’ performer.”

By Dubawi, Frontiersman is out of seven-time Group 1 winner Ouija Board and a half-brother to Investec Derby hero Australia who also won the Juddmonte International at York three years ago.

Clever Cookie, trained in Malton by Peter Niven, is seeking a hat-trick of win in the Grand Cup, sponsored by weddingmates.co.uk, after landing the spoils in both 2014 and 2015.

He finished two-and-a-half lengths by winner Dartmouth in the Yorkshire Cup at last week’s Dante Festival.

Midterm, another colt, bred from the highest class, is a son of Galileo and multiple Group 1 winner Midday. Highly regarded as a three year old, he finished third in last weekend’s Al Rayyan Stakes at Newbury and carries the Juddmonte colours.

Harrison, an emphatic winner of a conditions event at Chelmsford last time out for trainer Mick Channon, could add further spice to the contest.

Tomorrow’s meeting is the first Saturday of York’s 18 day season and will feature a seven-race card with total prize money in excess of £180,000.

The Unibet Sprint is the second contest on the day to offer prize money of £50,000. Big sprint handicaps on the Knavesmire are as popular with Yorkshire trainers as with racegoers and some 13 of the entries hail from the county.

Extending their support for York, is Godolphin, who back a competitive race to increase the profile of their Club Godolphin initiative.

The Yorkshire Regiment put their name to a contest for novice two-year-olds and away from the track, the Regimental Band will be entertaining racegoers.

The Infinity Tyres British EBF Fillies Stakes is one of 21 races at York to benefit from the generous support of The European Breeders’ Fund

Gentleman amateur riders have their opportunity in the final race of the afternoon, a handicap contest over seven furlongs, sponsored by York-based John Wright Electrical Services Ltd.

The action gets underway at 2.10pm and, in light of this week’s hot weather, the track have relaxed the dress code in the County Stand meaning no formal jackets are required, though a collared shirt and tie is still the obligation for gentlemen.

The relaxed atmosphere of the first weekend fixture will be further enhanced by live musical entertainment from the Superlicks under the Knavesmire Stand and the upbeat style of The Players in the late afternoon.

Racegoers will also be able to follow both the One Day International Cricket and the FA Cup Final on televisions around the course.

For tickets please call 01904 620911 x 225 or visit www.yorkracecourse.co.uk