LIBER NAUTICUS will be Sir Michael Stoute’s only Classic hope to go on trial at York when she makes her reappearance in today’s Tattersalls Musidora Stakes.

This was set to be a major week for the eminent trainer but the withdrawal of Derby prospect Telescope from tomorrow’s Dante leaves just the Investec Oaks candidate to appear on the Knavesmire.

Liber Nauticus, who is from a regal family of ownerbreeders Ballymacoll Stud, has only raced once so far when showing a huge amount of promise in a Goodwood maiden last September.

Strongly supported in the Oaks betting during the winter, she has only been knocked off the top of the market by the good recent performances by Moth and Secret Gesture.

The Musidora, though, is often the strongest Oaks trial and has been won by Stoute seven times since 1977, including with Ballymacoll’s top-class filly Islington.

‘‘She is only a maiden winner but this looks the obvious place to go and we’ll see what happens,’’ said Ballymacoll’s managing director, Peter Reynolds.

‘‘She has Oaks, Irish Oaks and Ribblesdale entries and we’ll see how she gets on.’’ Romantic Settings showed progress from her Haydock maiden victory at two by beating King Of The Danes in a Musselburgh handicap just a few days ago.

Trainer Richard Fahey is realistic about this jump in class and said: ‘‘It will be interesting but she has got to step right up on what she has done.

‘‘Before she won the other day, she wasn’t working that well, so it’s hard to get a line on her. But the second came out and won (at Ascot).

‘‘The owner is keen to run, so we will see what happens.’’ David Nagle is praying the rain comes for Maarek ahead of the Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes today.

The County Tipperary trainer intends to run his star sprinter as long as conditions are suitable, having taken him out of a race at Longchamp on Sunday because there was not enough cut in the ground.

‘‘The forecast is meant to be pretty bad in York tonight.

I’m the only one who hopes it comes,’’ said Nagle.

‘‘As long as there’s no firm in the ground he’ll be OK. He just wants some ease in the ground.

‘‘The horse is in super form. The only snag is that we need some rain.’’ Nagle has booked Paul Hanagan for the ride in the hope that his local knowledge will be an advantage.

‘‘I don’t know Paul, but I’m glad to have him. I know he’s been top jockey there,’’ he said.