John Dunlop is no stranger to Chester Cup success, having landed the valuable staying prize with Fantasy Hill four years ago.

The veteran trainer can be on the mark at the Roodeye today with progressive young stayer The Nawab in the totesport-sponsored Heritage Handicap over the extended two miles and two furlongs.

Although he is related to winners ranging between five and seven furlongs, the son of Dubai World Cup winner Almutawakel only started to thrive when upped to middle distances and beyond last year.

Although he notched his third win of last year over two and a half miles on soft ground at York's galloping course in October, he is equally effective on a sound surface and is already a proven performer at this course.

He's well drawn for one that invariably races up with the pace in stall seven and there was plenty to like about a recent comeback effort over two miles at Kempton.

That should have put him spot on for this assignment and he's fancied to beat Richard Fahey's Greenwich Meantime, who is unbeaten for his new stable this month, but who has yet to race over this trip and may need things to drop just right.

Dunlop can also be on the mark half an hour earlier with recent Folkestone winner Time On in the Weatherbys Bank Cheshire Oaks over the extended mile and three furlongs.

The daughter of Sadler's Wells turned in an improved effort when upped to an extended nine furlongs that day and left the impression that this longer trip would be in her favour.

Frankie Dettori again takes the ride. Dettori can get off to a flier aboard recent Kempton winner Mubaashir, who is open to plenty of improvement in the Joseph Heler Cheese Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes over five furlongs.

Galient created a favourable impression when making much of the running at Newmarket last time and can follow up in the Walker Smith Way Handicap over a mile and a half.

At Newcastle the best bet on an ordinary card is David Barron's Esoterica, who makes his handicap debut in the Thomas Cook Handicap over the straight seven furlongs.

Barron's three-year-old made up a fair amount of ground at Catterick on his penultimate start when dividing subsequent winner Angaric and Beowulf and, although taken off his feet at Pontefract last time, he will appreciate this test.

At Ripon's evening fixture it could be worth siding with Steel Blue at decent odds after an encouraging effort at Ayr this week in the Nick Wilmot-Smith Memorial Handicap over six furlongs.

The manner in which he tanked along through that strongly-run seven-furlong event won by Commando Scott suggested strongly that he is about to hit top form and, with the ground drying out, his low draw is unlikely to be any inconvenience.

At Kelso Nicky Henderson can be on the mark with Jack The Giant in the FHM Dunn Classic Intermediate Hurdle over two miles and two furlongs and with Shouldhavehadthat in the closing two- mile bumper.

* David Pipe enjoyed his first winner as the master of Pond House Stables when Standin Obligation opened his account over fences in the Persimmon Homes Novices Chase at Kelso.

Pipe received his licence following a visit to the Horseracing Regulatory Authority on Monday and wasted no time finding the winner's enclosure when scoring with his first runner.

Sent off the 1-6 favourite, Standin Obligation, running in the colours of David Johnson, made all under Timmy Murphy and cruised home hard on the bridle ahead of his two rivals, Roobihoo and Brundeanlaws.

Pipe has taken over the reins at Nicholashayne following the retirement of his father, 15-times champion trainer Martin.

Murphy said: ''They are still winning and it doesn't matter what changes there are at the yard if they do keep winning."

* York have announced a new Group Two race, the Skybet York Stakes, to be run on July 29.

The ten-furlong contest is an open-age event and will carry a prize fund of £100,000.

It is framed for horses seeking an outing between the Coral-Eclipse Stakes on July 8 and the Juddmonte International Stakes back at York on August 22.

Clerk of the course William Derby said: ''The Skybet York Stakes joins the Skybet Dash, won last year by subsequent Group One winner La Cucaracha, on a day that we believe has potential to be a favourite for racegoers.