PLENTY of punters will be rightly sweet on the prospects of Anna Pavlova (2.15) in York's Group 3 Fillies' & Mares' Middleton Stakes.

Richard Fahey's Malton-based four-year-old has done the stable proud over the past three seasons, winning seven of her 13 starts and amassing over £200,000 in prize-money.

It's always a nervous time when such stars return from their winter break, but Anna Pavlova showed she was better than ever by annihilating her opponents on a trip to Navan for a listed race in April.

The miserable weather which descended on the Knavesmire yesterday dampened the spirits of most, but not those involved with Anna Pavlova, who relishes a bit of dig in the ground.

The Derby picture should become a little clearer following the outcome of the feature race of the three-day meeting, the totesport.com Dante Stakes.

Leading contender Authorized (2.45) is currently ante-post favourite for next month's Epsom Classic, a position he attained due to a pulsating performance in Newbury's 2006 Group 1 Racing Post Trophy.

All the vibes from Peter Chapple-Hyam's yard support the theory that Frankie Dettori's mount is primed and ready to fire, so he just gets the nod in a fascinating renewal of the mile-and-a-quarter contest.

Despite the fact Mine (3.15) has never actually won on his seasonal reappearance, I still believe he has a solid each-way chance in the Bank Of Scotland Hambleton Stakes.

Mine, who has bagged a hatful of big-race victories, including the Royal Hunt Cup, during an already distinguished career, is without question the class act in the 13-runner line-up.

Whether James Bethell has the evergreen nine-year-old cherry-ripe for his comeback is open to debate, however the Middleham powerhouse might win, even if fitness-wise he's a little undercooked.

The Robert Pratt Memorial Stakes brings together a bunch of doughty stayers.

The stamina-sapping trip of a two-and-a-quarter-miles is going to make for a slow-motion finish, but one who might still be able to raise a gallop in the final furlong is Mr Mischief (4.25).

Michael Chapman picked Mr Mischief up at a Southwell seller this month, a shrewd purchase which might pay dividends at the first time of asking.

Amadeus Wolf (3-1), featured as the leading horse in our recently published Echo SPORT ten-to-follow, justified the faith of JANUS (Colin Woods) by romping to a clear-cut victory at York yesterday.