LOOK for a touch of Sartorial elegance in the shape of Peter Makin's sprinter at York tomorrow.

The five-year-old has been a difficult horse to train, but he showed that he had retained all his speed on his comeback run also on the Knavesmire last month.

In what was his first race for eight months, Sartorial overcame a tardy start to put in a challenge two furlongs out without threatening the first two home, Yorkies Boy and Candleriggs.

However, to finish a length and a quarter third of 20 in a highly-competitive six-furlong heat was no mean effort and certainly augurs well for the rest of the campaign - as long as Makin can keep the gelding sound.

He has had more than his share of training problems, returning home lame after his second outing in 1999 and was off the course for three months when knocking his joint after landing the second of his two wins last season.

But he is now having his second run in a month and sticks to six furlongs for the Blue Bicycle Rated Stakes (Handicap). Despite having to give weight all round, Sartorial can take all the beating.

Hambleden can stake a claim for the Tote-Ebor at York's August meeting with victory over the big-race course in the Shepherd Rated Stakes (Handicap).

The four-year-old gelding, trained by Michael Jarvis, showed he was suited by the mile and three-quarters when putting up a convincing performance to beat Johnny Oscar by a length and a half at Sandown two weeks ago.

Looking the probable winner from a long way out, Hambleden won very cosily and further successes are likely.

After being demoted from first place on his racecourse debut, Raised The Bar can make amends in the Haxby Maiden Stakes.

Mark Johnston's juvenile daughter of Royal Academy held Creskeld, who had had the benefit of a previous run, by a head but was disqualified for hanging into her rival in the closing stages.

Sheer inexperience cost the half-sister to the smart White Heart dear that night as she can show by claiming an outright win second time round.

Hard To Catch can live up to his name by following up a win at Brighton earlier in the month by going clear of the opposition in the Singleton Stakes (Handicap) at Goodwood.