Malton trainer Richard Fahey, who played a starring role on Evening Press raceday at York 12 months ago, can produce an encore by hitting a high note with Philharmonic.

The two-year-old runs in the Smith Brothers Maiden Auction Stakes, a race Fahey won last year with Riska King, and, like that winner, Philharmonic will be partnered by Paul Hanagan.

One race is the sum total of Philharmonic's racing career to date, but he ran a blinder on his debut at Ripon to be narrowly beaten by Wanchai Lad, a winner again at Redcar on Thursday.

What made Philharmonic's initial effort so promising was how he came clear of his rivals on the stands side of the course, only to find the winner just too strong on the opposite side of the track, where the ground appeared to be riding faster.

Nicely drawn tomorrow, Philharmonic should take all the beating, representing a stable, which sent out two winners on this programme last season.

Tim Easterby is sure to be a popular choice among our racegoers, given the wealth of success he enjoys from his Great Habton base. Easterby has good prospects of winning the opening Maxiprint Nursery with Ruthie, a recent Beverley winner, who carries the colours of Lady Halifax, wife of the course chairman.

Ruthie, though, may have to play second-fiddle to Mandobi, my nap selection, who hails from the Newmarket yard of Alec Stewart.

Fufilling earlier promise, Mandobi was mightily impressive on his local course last time when romping home a clear-cut winner of a maiden.

He has to concede weight all round here, but he looks smart, and is expected to prove equal to the task.

The £20,000 Polo Smoothies Rated Handicap is the richest race on the seven-race card, and one horse that makes plenty of appeal in this staying event is Trueno, who left the impression that his winning turn was imminent at Newmarket recently.

Luca Cumani's four-year-old finished second to the hot favourite Inglis Drever, with the remainder of the field well beaten off. A reproduction of that form over this identical distance may be good enough to see him home in front.

The Monks Cross Shopping Park Handicap has attracted a maximum 20 runners, and a lowish draw is important in this seven-furlongs event, given the fact that the field turn left-handed after less than two furlongs.

Harrison Point, who is well berthed in stall five, ran a stinker at Nottingham last time, having been supported down to 11-10 favourite.

No explanation was ever forwarded for that lack-lustre effort, but given his promising profile beforehand, I am prepared to give John Gosden's charge the benefit of the doubt in a wide-open race.

The Wholesale Madness Handicap over a mile, another 20-strong field, again sets punters a teaser.

Border Artist, from the David Nicholls stable, failed to get the run of the race when unplaced at Carlisle on Thursday, but he could be worthy of another chance from his favourable low draw.

Blue Sky Thinking, a winner at Thirsk last time out, is fancied to follow-up in the Three Hares Premier Claiming Stakes, while the beautifully-bred Feel Good Factor may be a fittingly-named winner of the concluding Roofs Above Maiden Stakes.

Sunday's tips:

York

2-05 Mandobi (NAP); 2-35 Blue Sky Thinking; 3-10 Harrison Point; 3-45 Border Artist; 4-20 Trueno; 4-50 Philharmonic; 5-20 Feel Good Factor

Uttoxeter

2-15 Maunby Rocker; 2-45 Pharpost

3-20 Divulge; 3-55 Suspendid; 4-30 Bob's Gone; 5-00 Ceresfield

Sunday's other race meeting is at Worcester (National Hunt).

Racing next week:

Flat meetings unless stated

Monday: Bath, Newcastle, Warwick.

Tuesday: Catterick, Leicester, Lingfield.

Wednesday: Doncaster, Epsom, Hereford (National Hunt).

Thursday: Chepstow, Doncaster, Epsom.

Friday: Doncaster, Goodwood, Southwell (National Hunt).

Saturday: Bangor-on-Dee (National Hunt), Doncaster, Goodwood, Musselburgh, Worcester (National Hunt).

Sunday: Hexham (National Hunt), Sandown, Worcester (National Hunt).

Updated: 11:15 Saturday, September 06, 2003