Akshar, who did punters such a good turn at last month's Ebor Festival, returns to York tomorrow with bright prospects of achieving an encore in the feature race.

The mount of Kieren Fallon, who looks poised to enjoy a memorable afternoon on Knavesmire, Sir Michael Stoute's colt goes for the £42,000 Strensall Stakes and is fancied to take all the beating.

Akshar was sent off a heavily-backed 6-4 favourite on his latest start and delivered the goods in workmanlike style, crossing the line three-parts of a length ahead of Howle Hill after striking the front more than a furlong out.

A stiffer test awaits Akshar tomorrow, but this progressive four-year-old has what it takes to raise his game.

Fallon and Sir Michael also have a great chance of winning the Garrowby Rated Handicap with High Action, who is going from strength to strength.

Two recent wins at Pontefract have soundly illustrated the potential and staying power of High Action, a relentless galloper, who goes well on the current good-to-firm ground.

Fallon rode a winner on Hills Of Gold for Mick Easterby at Chester last week and it is significant that he has been booked to partner Sporting Gesture for the same Sheriff Hutton trainer tomorrow.

No stranger to success on this course, having won the Queen Mother's Cup in mid-summer, Sporting Gesture ran well enough at the Ebor Festival to suggest he will be knocking on the door in the opening race, the Patrington Haven Leisure Park Handicap.

Fallon has yet another winning chance on Secretary General in the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire Maiden Stakes. Although a beaten favourite at Goodwood last time, Paul Cole's colt ran a sound race in defeat.

In the T Mobile Rated Handicap over six furlongs, Smart Predator, a winner at the Ebor meeting, having previously won the historic greys-only event at Newmarket, bids for a hat-trick.

John Quinn's popular gelding will surely make a bold attempt under Robert Winston over his best distance of six furlongs.

Three times a winner this term, Smart Predator has the Ayr Gold Cup pencilled in on his agenda in a couple of weeks' time. Another victory for him tomorrow would enhance his claim on Scotland's premier sprint.

Tomorrow's action concludes with the Irwins Apprentice Handicap, a wide-open race over an extended ten furlongs

Trainer Noel Wilson has had Stallone in good form all summer and the six-year-old, beaten only a head by Swynford Pleasure, a winner again since, at Beverley lately, is worthy of attention.

The accomplished assistance of Tony Hamilton is further reason to respect the chances of a horse who is awarded my Nap vote.

Tomorrow's tips:

York

2.10 Sporting Gesture, 2.40 Smart Predator, 3.15 High Action, 3.45 Akshar, 4.20 Jermone, 4.50 Secretary General, 5.20 Stallone (Nap).

Lingfield

1.50 Wiitcism, 2.20 Space Cowbuy, 2.50 Lady Mo, 3.25 Stagnite, 3.55 Zeuss, 4.30 Florian, 5.00 Wozzeck.

Tomorrow's other meeting is at Newton Abbot (National Hunt).

Updated: 11:59 Tuesday, September 02, 2003