PIPALONG can raise the roof by sprinting to a popular victory for the north in the £175,000 Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes at York tomorrow.

Tim Easterby's flying filly went agonisingly close to claiming the six-furlong Darley July Cup only losing out by two short-heads to Agnes World and Lincoln Dancer.

But glory awaits the admirably consistent Pipalong in this Group One contest over the minimum trip.

She has already scored a notable victory at this distance at Newmarket in May when she beat Kier Park by a neck in the 21-runner Palace House Stakes, also sponsored by Victor Chandler.

She rarely runs a bad race - the only time she has disappointed was in theCork & Orrery Stakes at Royal Ascot where she pulled a muscle - and possesses all the qualities needed in such a tough competitive sprint at the highest level.

And it is to her advantage that there will be a big field with 15 horses bombing down the Knavesmire in a race that will only last a minute.

A course and distance winner in her two-year-old days when she floored the brilliant but ill-fated Bint Allayl, Pipalong ran another excellent race here in May when runner-up to Lend A Hand in the Duke Of York Stakes

Khulan, a half-sister to 1998 July Cup hero Elnadim, can enhance her already tall reputation by winning the Group Two Peugeot Lowther Stakes.

John Dunlop's filly became an early fancy for the Sagitta 1000 Guineas when storming home by three and a half lengths from Mujado on her debut at Newmarket.

She was backed down to 8-11 as though victory was a formality and her winning time compared favourably with that of the July Cup on the same card.

Dunlop can also saddle Firecrest to victory in the opening Listed EBF Galtres Stakes.

The progressive Darshaan filly rattled up four victories before finishing a fine fourth to Abitara when making her first appearance in Listed class at Newmarket last month.

Persiano, winner of the William Hill Mile at Glorious Goodwood, can follow up in the Showcase Handicap, the Bradford & Bingley Rated Stakes.

A short-head verdict over Parisien Star was reward for creditable efforts in the Royal Hunt Cup, Bunbury Cup and Tote International.

Now that he has won one major handicap, James Fanshawe's five-year-old can do the business again.

Ben Hanbury's improving stayer Takwin will take some beating in the Charles Heidsieck Champagne Melrose Rated Stakes while Tayseer, winner of the Bunbury Cup and Stewards' Cup, looks the one in the getting-out stakes, the Listed McArthurglen Designer Outlet City of York Stakes.

John Dunlop, trainer of Khulan and Firecrest, can complete a long-range treble courtesy of Rambagh in the EBF Kent Headline Raceday Maiden Stakes at Folkestone.