Racing returns to Knavesmire tomorrow for the first time since the Royal Ascot spectacular, and North Yorkshire trainers have excellent chances of scoring.

Scorton-based David Barker, who won the last race at Newmarket yesterday with Sierra Vista, can lead the way with Mecca's Mate in the opening Grampian Country Food Group Handicap.

The rain which has changed the ground on Knavesmire to good-to-soft, has presented Mecca's Mate with her ideal conditions.

A much-improved filly this season, who enjoyed a purple patch in the spring, the four-year-old got back in the winning groove on an easy surface at Ayr two outings ago.

Far from disgraced on her latest start, when fourth to Sierra Vista over six furlongs at Newcastle, Mecca's Mate will relish the return to the minimum distance tomorrow, especially on her favourite ground. The mount of Fergal Lynch, she is awarded the Nap vote.

Warthill trainer Noel Wilson has done a brilliant job with Acomb this season and the five-year-old goes for his fourth win in a row in the Hearthstead Homes Handicap.

Previously trained by Mick Easterby, Acomb is a habitual front-runner and hard to get past once ahead. This course, which lends itself to pacesetters, should suit him ideally. Useful apprentice Danny Tudhope, who knows Acomb well, has the mount.

Tim Easterby saddles Most Definitely in the John West Tuna Handicap and this in-form gelding should go well under Dave Allan.

A horse who resents being hit with the whip, Most Definitely has had two excellent rides from Allan to win at Musselburgh and Doncaster this season. Improving all the while, the gelding is expected to welcome this drop back to a mile and a half.

Sheriff Hutton trainer Mick Easterby can get into the winners' circle with Dance To My Tune in the Tulip Bacon Handicap.

Easterby also runs Trouble Mountain and Strong Hand in this race, but Dance To My Tune, a good winner at Hamilton two outings ago, may have the edge, especially on the type of ground.

In the £50,000 Cuisine De France Summer Stakes, I fancy Wiltshire trainer Roger Charlton, successful last year with Tante Rose, to take the honours once again, this time with Kind.

Winner of a Listed race at Nottingham two outings ago, Kind has since finished a good third to La Cucaracha, beaten by less than a length, in a Group 3 race at Leopardstown. York's easier course should see this speedy filly triumph.

Friday's tips:

York

2.00 Mecca's Mate (Nap), 2.35 Acomb, 3.05 Most Definitely, 3.40 Kind, 4.15 Dance To My Tune, 4.50 Grand Opera.

Chester

6.30 Robinzal, 7.00 Mullaad, 7.30 Pivotal's Princess, 8.00 Vale De Lobo, 8.30 Pickett,

9.00 Aahgowangowan.

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Chepstow, Lingfield and Wolverhampton).

Updated: 12:01 Thursday, July 07, 2005