Forecast's Grey for the Ebor

It's the trophy every card-carrying Yorkshire trainer wants on his mantlepiece.

Few succeed, but the White Rose team will be out in force on the Knavesmire tomorrow as they strive to keep the £185,000 Tote Ebor Handicap at home with a team including five plausible contenders.

Honorary Yorkie, Mark Johnston, still points to Quick Ransom's success in 1992 as one of the wins that propelled him into racing's Premiership, but the vastly improved Scott's View has been balloted out and Mana d'Argent will find the emphasis on pace far from ideal.

Sarangani cruises through his races, and his effortless win here in May remains one of the most striking handicap performances seen all season.

His ebullient trainer Mick Easterby would cherish an Ebor win. So would his nephew Tim, who saddles Bourgeois and Bollin Nellie, while Chris Fairhurst is pitching for what would be a career-changing success with his recent Ascot winner King's Welcome.

Southern raiders, like Barathea Blazer and the poorly-drawn Charley Bates. have also attracted support, but this year's Ebor could be bound for John Dunlop's Sussex yard via the ultra-progressive Harlestone Grey (nap).

The majority of recent Ebor winners have been lightly raced horses from top yards with the scope to make a splash outside handicap company.

Harlestone Grey falls firmly into that category. Six runs in his debut season last year yielded bags of promise, including a cracking effort at this meeting, but it was last time out at Goodwood in May that the Shaamit gelding really impressed.