Dandy Nicholls gets straight to the point with Parisian Pyramid

So it is significant that his sole entry in the six-furlong Reg Griffin Memorial Trophy at York, the feature race on Channel 4 tomorrow, is Parisian Pyramid (3.10).

While it bears no comparison to next week's extravaganza at Royal Ascot, there is a tempting prize fund of £100,000 and 20 three-year-olds are scheduled to go to post.

Francis Norton is booked to ride, suggesting that he needs strong handling, but his form is solid enough.

Stepped up in trip to seven furlongs last week, Parisian Pyramid was ridden positively and just got tired in the closing stages of a race won by Cloudy Start.

Prior to that he had returned to form at Newmarket in another competitive sprint handicap, where he had Proclaim behind and the equally consistent Akhenaten just in front of him.

Nicholls has brought him nicely to the boil and though Parisian Pyramid is back on an official rating of 89, he still has plenty going for him - not least a good draw in stall six.

There are plenty of dangers in the race, however, for trainer 'Dandy'.

Richard Fahey, leading handler at York for the last three seasons, could run Sloop Johnb again twice in 24 hours (he was due to run against older horses for the first time in a handicap there today).

A winner at the track last month, and previously at Beverley, he is fast-improving.

Master Of Disguise was well regarded by trainer Clive Cox as a juvenile and with good reason - he bolted up on his return to action at Sandown in April and is likely to be among the leading protagonists.

But at bigger odds, Imperial Guest makes each-way appeal. He has plenty to prove after failing to see out the 2,000 Guineas trip. Dropped back in distance twice subsequently, he was given an easy time of it behind Proclaim and Akhenaten at Newbury two weeks ago. Trainer George Margarson is likely to stick with sprinting from now on.

"He has always worked well at home and his best form is against good opposition over six furlongs," said Margarson.

"We have a race in mind at Newmarket next month but this will be a good stepping stone. He'll probably get outpaced at half-way and then come with a rattle.

"We've booked Seb Sanders because he needs strong handling when it matters. We're hopeful of a good run, providing the ground doesn't go too soft."