YORK clerk of the course William Derby is excited about the prospect of quality racing returning to the Knavesmire this week.

The Yorkshire track lost its showpiece Ebor meeting in August due to waterlogging, and extensive work has since taken place on the racing surface.

A new drainage system has been installed at the course, which drew high praise from local trainer Richard Fahey after he recently took a team of horses for a trial gallop.

‘‘We’re really looking forward to it,’’ said Derby.

‘‘We’ve just changed the ground to good to firm, good in places, and there is a lot of activity on site at the minute, as you can imagine.

‘‘We’re keen to get going with our season and we are very excited by the standard of entries, especially the Dante on Thursday. We hope that is a great race and some good stories come out of it.

‘‘The reaction of everybody from the recent gallop could not have been better. That was a significant milestone, and we were pleased with how it went.

‘‘In terms of the weather, I think it is due to be a nice couple of days. But there is a chance of some rain coming in from the south midweek.

‘‘Three of the last five winners of the Dante have gone on to win the Derby, and Tartan Bearer was second last year.

‘‘The BHA recently carried out a review of the Derby trials and the Dante came out on top.

‘‘We are delighted that all the big guns are represented again.

‘‘We’re pleased that Blue Square have come in to support the Duke of York, that looks like being another classy renewal.

‘‘The Tattersalls Musidora has attracted some nice fillies, too, with the Queen’s unbeaten Enticement in there.

‘‘We’re all set for a great week.’’

■ Darryll Holland is to lodge an appeal against the 21-day ban he received for failing to ride out for third place on the Mick Channon-trained Gold Maha at Warwick.

Both Channon and Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Gold Maha’s owner Jaber Abdullah, are incensed at the stewards’ decision after Holland reported he felt his mount had gone lame after jumping a path and losing her action.

Channon confirmed Gold Maha returned to his West Ilsley stables lame after finishing fourth of seven, beaten a neck for third in the PSA Peugeot Citroen Long Service Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

The ban is to run from May 23 to June 12 inclusive and would rule Holland out of the Derby fixture at Epsom.

■ Royal And Regal will bid to atone for last year’s narrow defeat when he tackles Friday’s Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup at York.

The five-year-old was beaten just a head by Geordieland 12 months ago on the Knavesmire, and the pair could clash again in the onemile- six-furlong heat.

Royal And Regal failed to sparkle when only fourth as the 6-4 favourite in the John Porter on his reappearance, but Michael Jarvis expects an improved effort.

The Newmarket-based trainer said: ‘‘He may have needed the race at Newbury and he’s come on from that.

‘‘His work has been satisfactory since then and we are hoping he can go one better than last year.’’