THERE was good news for antepost punters who backed Ambassador for tomorrow's Tote Ebor at York when trainer Barry Hills confirmed his colt a likely runner.

Doubts had been expressed about the participation of the three year old in the one mile six furlong event but they were dispelled yesterday.

In a statement from Hills' yard, a spokeswoman said: "The plans are to run Ambassador in the Ebor and Willie Carson rides."

A ray of hope also appeared for those who have supported Snow Princess in the build up to the race. Her trainer, Lord Huntingdon, who had been worried that underfoot conditions would be too firm for the filly, walked the course on Sunday and was pleased with what he found.

I thought they had done a pretty good job," he said yesterday. "Although the ground is about right in the final six furlongs, it is still firm in the back straight, although John Smith (clerk of the course) assured me he would be watering it again last night.

"I will speak to Lord Weinstock but much depends on the weather. If it is cool and overcast on Wednesday it may be the ground is good but if we were to have a hot day then there could be problems."

Huntingdon reported the filly is well and said he had made contingency plans for the filly. She is entered in a Listed race in Ireland on Saturday but again the ground over there is good to firm so we will have to see," he added.

Smith confirmed the going as good. "I watered for a very short time on Saturday and again last night," he said yesterday. "The ground is good but we will not be watering, again due to the threat of rain.

On the betting front, Ladbrokes report support for the Mary Reveley trained Foundry Lane, who is now a 12 to 1 chance from 16's, and Naked Welcome, who has been cut from 25 to 1 to 20 to 1.

. Mark of Esteem, beset by problems since his pulsating victory in the Pertemps 2,000 Guineas in May, heads the entries for the Group Two Tripleprint Celebration Mile on Saturday, for which a total of nine horses stood their ground yesterday.