GERMAN trainer Dominik Moser will return to his 'favourite' European racecourse when Artistica and Sugar Free contest today's Group 3 Unibet Summer Stakes at York.

Moser took the same race, five years ago, when Gracia Directa ridden by Robert Winston, held off the locally-trained Sioux Rising to win by half a length.

She never won another race but returned the following season to finish second in the six-furlong contest.

Moser admits that today's race will bring back fond memories of Gracia Directa’s triumph.

"It was a big thing for me. Very special," he said. "For me, it’s a dream to come back to York. It’s my favourite racetrack in Europe."

Artistica, a three-year-old, has won all three of her starts in 2017, including a Listed success at Nottingham and a Group 3 victory at Baden-Baden in May. Sugar Free was second in Listed company at Hanover earlier this season before contesting a race of the same class at Haydock where she stumbled from the stalls and finished sixth out of ten.

"Sugar Free had a little bit of a bad luck at Haydock last time," said Moser. "Artistica has no problems with any ground. She won on soft ground and good ground. I think Sugar Free needs a little bit more good ground – she doesn’t like soft. This race was one of the goals from the beginning of the year for Artistica and Sugar Free."

Franny Norton rides Artistica while Winston will be aboard Sugar Free.

The pair form part of a 16-strong field which includes Queen Kindly, trained by Malton's Richard Fahey, the winner of of last season's Group Two Sky Bet Lowther on the Knavesmire.

Newmarket-based trainer Jeremy Noseda, meanwhile, says favourite Sixties Groove is in 'great order' ahead of tomorrow's £200,0000 John Smith’s Cup.

Owners Paul and Susan Roy will be hoping the four-year-old gelding can emulate the achievement of his sire, Sixties Icon, who won the St Leger when staged at York in 2006.

Sixties Groove registered only three victories as a three-year-old but his current campaign has delivered two promising runs.

"Sixties Groove is in great order," said Noseda. "We are looking forward to Saturday’s race. He goes there with a very solid chance."

Fellow Newmarket-based trainer David Simcock will be double-handed in his bid to land the John Smith's Cup.

Simcock plans to saddle Majeed and Dragon Mall. The former was beaten a neck by Snoano in the Wolferton (Listed) Handicap at Royal Ascot, while Dragon Mall was a further three lengths back after badly missing the break.

"The John Smith’s Cup is a lovely race for these older exposed horses," said Simcock. "Both Majeed and Dragon Mall could have a good each-way chance."

Tomorrow's seven–race card starts at 1.55pm.