KINGS Gambit can gain reward for a season of consistent efforts in the Garbutt & Elliott Conditions Stakes at York.

Tom Tate’s South African import has only a win in a minor race at Ripon in April to show for a string of gutsy runs, most notably when narrowly denied by Wigmore Hall in the John Smith’s Cup.

He was then beaten only a length by Rio De La Plata in a Group Three back at York before Godolphin’s Vesuve worried him out of it close home in the Doonside Cup at Ayr.

As long it is not one run too many for the six-year-old, he looks guaranteed to run his race.

Howard Johnson is running Eton Rifles again quickly after his fine effort to finish second in a Listed race at Redcar.

The handicapper took a very dim view of his effort when only a length behind Harrison George in the Guisborough Stakes.

Before that run he had a mark of 87 but that has gone up by 10lb for future engagements.

He can take part off his old rating in the Acorn Web Offset Handicap, though, and a reproduction of his last effort would surely make him the one to beat.

Bryan Smart has had a fairly quiet season by his standards but his horses are running a bit better now and Lady Paris can follow up her maiden win in the TSG Nursery.

A promising third on debut at 25-1, she finished in front of a subsequent winner.

She also handled the easier ground when winning at Haydock so that should not pose a problem, and a mark of 77 could be lenient.

Mark Johnston’s Royal Applause filly Qenaa looks a surefire future winner at Musselburgh on the back of a fine effort at Goodwood in July.

Last of six on her debut at Sandown, she was beaten just a short head by Brian Meehan’s Mortitia on her next outing.

That one has since gone close in Group company at Ayr, while the third home at Goodwood, Ed Dunlop’s Sharnberry, who was not disgraced at all in the Cheveley Park.

Qenaa should therefore take all the beating in the EBF Maiden Stakes.

Mick Channon’s Show Rainbow was not beaten far behind a decent sort in Humdrum last time out and can go one better in the first division of the Try Betdaq For An Exchange Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Wolverhampton.

Chris Grant has his small string in decent heart and it might be worth taking a speculative punt on Star Player in the Comlongon Castle Handicap Chase at Carlisle.

Pulled up on all four starts last season, he has dropped to a nice mark and Denis O’Regan has been booked for the ride.

In his last completed race he beat Merigo by three lengths.

■ Godolphin duo Grand Vent and Shooting Gallery failed to land a blow as Maxios claimed a narrow win in a tight finish to the Prix Thomas Bryon at Saint- Cloud.

Mahmood Al Zarooni saddled Sandown maiden winner Shooting Gallery, while Andre Fabre’s Grand Vent was making his debut for Sheikh Mohammed’s operation.

The pair were settled in behind as Private Jet cut out much of the running, but neither could pick up along the straight.