Will we see the Derby winner at York tomorrow? That's the burning question as ten colts, including several with sky-high reputations, line-up for the £145,000 totesport Dante Stakes, the richest Derby trial in Europe.

Aidan O'Brien already has one shining light for the premier Classic in Yeats, and the ace Irish trainer could well produce another tomorrow in the shape of Moscow Ballet, the mount of Jamie Spencer.

A maiden race winner on his debut last season, Moscow Ballet was beaten less than a length into second by Snow Ridge in the Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot.

Although he was below-par in his only other race in France in late-autumn, he always looked a horse who would come into his own as a three-year-old.

The fact that O'Brien has chosen Moscow Ballet as his representative tomorrow is a tip in itself, given that the Tipperary maestro had a host of entries in the race right up until yesterday.

It's not going to be easy, however, for the Irish challenger.

Among the opposition is the progressive Let The Lion Roar, a winner on his reappearance this term, Mutawaffer and Rule Of Law, who had solid juvenile form, and North Light and Oman Gulf, who are held in particularly high regard by their respective trainers Sir Michael Stoute and Barry Hills.

Add to that little lot, impressive Yarmouth maiden winner Andean, who is clearly the apple of his trainer David Loder's eye, and all the ingredients are there for a thrilling race and an informative Derby insight.

Moscow Ballet to get the better of Andean is my idea of the outcome.

The £50,000 totepool Middleton Stakes has attracted an interesting six-strong field.

Summitville, who was not far below the best of her age last season, has good claims on her reppearance, but she may find Beneventa, already the winner of both her races this season, too tough a nut to crack.

Seb Sanders again has the mount on John Dunlop's fast-improving four-year-old.

Mick Easterby likes few things better than a winner at York, and the Sheriff Hutton trainer has excellent prospects with Blue Spinnaker in the Bank Of Scotland-sponsored Hambleton Handicap.

The five-year-old ran out an impressive winner of the Thirsk Hunt Cup 11 days ago, overcoming top-weight and the widest draw of all, in the process.

There is surely more to come from this progressive gelding, who will have the assistance of Jamie Spencer.

Spencer, who looks set for a lucrative afternoon, can also click on Greenwich Meantime in the totexacta Handicap.

Lynda Ramsden's four-year-old should now be cherry-ripe after two races this season.

Wednesday's tips:

York

1.30 Artie (Nap), 2.00 Beneventa, 2.30 Moscow Ballet, 3.00 Blue Spinnaker, 3.35 Fiefdom, 4.10 Soldier's Tale, 4.45 Greenwich Meantime.

Brighton

2.10 Wychbury, 2.40 Pay The Silver, 3.10 Our Destiny, 3.45 Wellington Hall, 4.20 Ivory Lace, 4.55 Got To Be Cash.

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Exeter, Newcastle (evening meeting, course inspection this afternoon) and Perth (evening meeting).

Updated: 12:00 Tuesday, May 11, 2004