Three-year-olds have a good record in York's John Smith's Cup - formerly known as the Magnet Cup - with members of that age group winning this valuable handicap nine times in the last 20 years.

And Porto Foricos can improve on that impressive tally today in the 39th renewal, off what appears a very handy mark.

The Henry Cecil-trained son of Mr Prospector has shown progressive form in his three starts this season and is still on the upgrade.

Once-raced as a juvenile, Porto Foricos reappeared over seven furlongs at Newmarket in April and showed distinct promise to finish third, beaten four and three-quarter lengths behind subsequent Jersey Stakes winner Diktat.

Next time he was backed to confirm that favourable impression. Sent off the 4 to 5 favourite for a Nottingham maiden in May, he was a desperately unlucky loser.

Kieren Fallon made his effort on Porto Foricos on the inside but found his passage blocked. Once switched he finished strongly, but too late to catch the front two.

He put the record straight two weeks later over nine furlongs at Goodwood.

Once again backed down to odds-on, punters' money was never in any danger. The colt won a shade cosily by half a length from Peradventure, giving the distinct impression he would be suited by a further step up in distance.

Cecil's team, as usual, is in great form and the extra furlong and a half of this race looks made to measure for Porto Foricos, who earns the nap vote to land this prize at the main expense of last year's winner, Pasternak.

Earlier on the card, Tim Easterby's promising two-year-old Mixsterthetrixster can follow-up an impressive winning debut with victory in the seven-furlong Beamish Red Conditions Stakes.

Bishops Court merits serious consideration in the City Wall Stakes at Chester. Lynda Ramsden's consistent individual put up a fine performance in a similar contest at Sandown. He stormed to the front inside the final furlong only to be caught close home and beaten a length by Fire Dome.

In that sort of form Bishops Court cannot be opposed in this Listed contest.