A TITANIC tussle is promised over the next two days as two of North Yorkshire's most high-profile handlers go head-to-head in the bid to be crowned top trainer at York Racecourse.

Malton-based Tim Easterby and Richard Fahey go into today and tomorrow's final October meeting locked together on five Knavesmire wins apiece - one winner clear of Luca Cumani and Barry Hills.

The pair both saddle a host of runners today and tomorrow as they bid to get their hands on the York Race Committee crown.

This afternoon, Fahey runs John Smith's Cup winner Charlie Tokyo in the opening Garbutt & Elliott Stakes, Excitement in the Acorn Web Nursery Handicap, Harrison George in the IG index EBF Maiden Stakes and has Sea Salt and Valley Of The Moon in the Persimmon Homes Handicap.

While Easterby is not represented in the opener, Lieutenant Pigeon leads the way in the Acorn Web Nursery Handicap, Fools Gold and Hamish McGonagall stride forward in the IG index EBF Maiden Stakes, Paris Bell looks for glory in the Persimmon Homes Handicap and York winner Tchinera takes a stand in the Training Series Finale.

Tomorrow, Fahey saddles Instructor, Dancing Lyra and Sumi Girl in the opening Woodford Reserve Bourbon Handicap and will be hoping Mister Hardy can take the Stowe Family Law Silver Jubilee Rockingham Stakes.

Easterby has Flighty Fellow in the opener and enters the fray with Somnus in the paddypower.com Sprint Trophy Handicap - where he will face challengers including Fahey's Philharmonic and Fonthill Road - while he'll be hoping Royal Musketeer can make an impact in the Collingwood Team Service EBF Maiden Stakes.

And in what looks like a competitive Parsonage Country House Hotel Handicap, Fahey's Flying Clarets and Easterby's Go Tech are pitching for glory.

Of course, it's not just about Fahey and Easterby. Many of North Yorkshire's top trainers have launched full assaults on the prizes at York's final meeting of the season.

Tadcaster's Tom Tate, Middleham's Mark Johnston and Karl Burke, Sheriff Hutton's Mick Easterby and Flaxton's Noel Wilson are just some of the local handlers looking for glory.

Wilson has York winner Turn Of Phrase and Hotham in today's six-race card, while top young jockey Greg Fairley is on board Mazaaya, Winged Flight and Always Certain for Johnston.

Sheriff Hutton's Tim Walford runs The Grey Berry in the Parsonage Country House Hotel Handicap tomorrow, while Hambleton-based Kevin Ryan's team includes King Orchisios in the paddypower.com Sprint.

While the trainer prize is still up for grabs, the leading rider of the season looks cut-and-dried. Jamie Spencer, who is in an absorbing battle with Seb Sanders to be Britain's champion jockey, has recorded an impressive eight winners at York so far this year - and is four clear of his nearest challenger, the Australian rider Kerrin McEvoy.

It will take a mammoth effort to dislodge Spencer, whose York successes this season have included the totesport Ebor on Purple Moon.

Neither rider is, as yet, booked on today's card leaving the way clear for Frankie Dettori and Boroughbridge veteran Kevin Darley to take centre stage.