MR DINOS and Mamool renew their rivalry in this afternoon's £250,000 Ascot Gold Cup having occupied the first two places in the Queen Vase at the Royal meeting 12 months ago.

On that occasion it was Frankie Dettori's partner Mamool who got the better of the argument, recording a narrow half-length success.

But in today's re-match Mr Dinos (3,45) is fancied to assert his authority.

Superior tactics played a huge part in the 2002 outcome because Dettori cleverly seized the initiative on Mamool three furlongs from home, kicking the Goldolphin star into a long lead which Mr Dinos could never quite peg back.

Both four-year-olds have come out all guns blazing this term, Paul Cole's raider claiming the Henry 11 Stakes at Sandown, while Saeed Bin Suroor's representative lifted the Yorkshire Cup courtesy of a stunning late burst of acceleration to cut down Warshaan.

The one question mark hanging over Mamool is his ability to stay the marathon two-and-a-half-mile distance, whereas Mr Dinos, an out-an-out galloper, seems certain to appreciate the step up in trip and for that reason only is marginally preferred.

Just eight runners turn out for the Norfolk Stakes.

However, there's no doubt whatsoever that it is a vintage renewal of the Group 3 five-furlong contest given the presence of three very speedy colt's, Godolphin's Kheleyh, Aidan O'Brien's Old Deuteronomy, plus Mark Johnston's Russian Valour (2.30).

All demonstrated electrifying pace to win their respective latest outings with embarrassing ease; Kheleyh romping home at York despite a slow start; Old Deuteronomy blitzing a big field at Newmarket; while Russian Valour gave his rivals short shrift at Sandown.

It's very hard to split the threesome on form, nonetheless given the way Mark Johnston's two-year-olds Attraction and Pearl Of Love dominated the Queen Anne and Chesham Stakes at the meeting yesterday, Russian Valour gets the nod.

John Gosden's powerful Manton stable is now in full swing, ably aided and abetted by Ocean Silk (3.05), one of the leading contenders for the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes.

Ocean Silk has yet to be beaten this season, gamely holding Mezzo Soprano last time out at Goodwood. Gosden's fast-improving filly is fully expected to confirm the placings, especially on this far stiffer track that technically should suit even better.

The booking of top American pilot Gary Stevens for Dust Cover (4.55) in the Listed Hampton Court Stakes is also worth noting.

Dust Cover doesn't appear as if he's been fully wound up on either of his two forays this term and in the circumstances has done particularly well to run a brace of solid races in similar standard company at Kempton and Newmarket.

To my mind, Peter Makin's three-year-old looks unexposed and possesses the perfect profile to take the £50,000 mile-and-a-quarter contest.

Ripon rival Ascot with their own version of "Ladies Day", which includes an exclusive fashion show.

Keen followers of this column will have noticed our bad luck at York on Saturday when 12-1 nap selection Nuit Sombre was beaten due to a palpably poor ride from Keith Dalgleish.

Dalgleish has come in for plenty of praise on these pages in the past so it is not unfair to criticise the young Scot since he clearly failed to drive his mount to the line and as a result was caught close home.

Nuit Sombre (3.55) makes a swift reappearance in the Ingham & Co Handicap - a race he appears destined to win, sadly though his odds will be nothing like as generous.