LAST year's Ebor winner Sanrnartino is beginning to 100k a very smart horse indeed and can continue his upward progress by landing the Group Three Insulpak Sagaro Stakes at Ascot today.

Unraced as a juvenile, the Salse colt put up a couple of pleasing performances before landing a Haydock maiden in May.

Trainer Barry Hills, with the York feature on his mind, kept Sanmartino off the course until late July and the Glorious Goodwood meeting where, competing in handicap company for the first time, he finished just over four lengths fifth to Pilsudski.

That run brought him to just the correct pitch for the Ebor and although it was a close run thing, he justified his trainers faith by landing the mile and three-quarter event, touching off Midyan Blue by a short head.

A trip to France, where he encountered going softer than he may really have wanted, saw a creditable performance in Group company for the first time - fourth to Grey Shot.

He meets that rival again today and also encounters Double Trigger, last year's long distance champion.

But those two front-runners may play into the hands of Hills' charge who loves to swoop late and with the benefit of an outing already this season - he confirmed his well-being on Newmarket's Rowley mile comfortably beating Unchanged at the Craven meeting - Sanmartino can land the nap.

Indeed, he can instigate a treble for Eddery who is also on board Geoff Lewis's Bilko in the Garter Conditions Stakes and the Neville Callaghan-trained Tawara in the Chobham Conditions Stakes. Both look to have favourites chances.

The £40,000-added Insulpak Victoria Cup could well go to the treble-chasing Master Charter, who looks to be ahead of the handicapper.

Lynda Ramsden's charge is sparkling at the moment and can defy the 6lb penalty for last week's Pontefract victory.