Hitchens added to York field

Hitchens has been supplemented at a cost of £7,500 (€8,405) for Wednesday's Duke Of York Stakes on the Knavesmire.

Now trained by David Barron, the former Gary Moore inmate beat Knot In Wood by three lengths at Thirsk on his debut for the stable.

He is one of 19 horses to stand their ground for the Group Two event over six furlongs at the confirmation stage.

Kevin Ryan's Arganil is an interesting contender having won six of his nine starts to date for the Hambleton handler.

David Nicholls' Tax Free, a gutsy winner of the Abernant Stakes on his last start, is engaged along with Equiano, who was second that day but won the King's Stand last season.

Richard Fahey's Utmost Respect and Bryan Smart's Captain Gerrard give the northern trainers a very strong hand.

Godolphin have two possibles, Diabolical and Hatta Fort, while William Haggas' King's Apostle is forced to give weight away all round due to his victory in the Diadem Stakes last year.

Irish interests are represented by Ger Lyons' Dohasa, placed on each of his three starts in Dubai and Duff, a winner on the Knavesmire back in 2007.

Sir Gerry, Strike The Deal and Intrepid Jack are also engaged.

Edward Lynam will be keeping an eye on the skies for Duff who needs fast ground to be seen at his best.

"The better the ground the more likely he is to run, he wouldn't like it if it came up slow, he wants fast ground," said Lynam.

"We are aiming to bring him over. I've seen what's been said about the track since the work and it should be brilliant.

"Our guy has had a little break to freshen him up a bit and is in good order and he should take his chance.

"He's won at York before so that has to be an advantage."

Strike The Deal, winner of the Richmond Stakes at two, made a pleasing seasonal reappearance behind Amour Propre last week.

"Strike The Deal has come out of the Palace House Stakes in good order and will head to York," trainer Jeremy Noseda confirmed.

"I was happy with his performance at Newmarket, although he found the trip a little on the sharp side on that ground. Also, he most probably needed a run to sharpen him up.

"Six furlongs at York is the perfect scenario for him but it is a tougher race."

At the confirmation stage for the £100,000 contest, Noseda also kept in Awinnersgame, who finished second in the Free Handicap.

Noseda said: "The only way that Awinnersgame would be considered is if the ground were to come up on the soft side."