THE West Country trainer Ron Hodges gets his chance to star at York today with White Settler.

The winners enclosure after big races on the Knavesmire is usually graced by the likes of Henry Cecil, John Dunlop and Michael Stoute.

But each is virtually excluded from the £10,000 added Quintin - Gilbey Silver Trophy which is restricted to horses rated no higher than 75 - Cecil and his like would almost consider it an insult to have a runner qualified.

So this contest tends to be dominated by the smaller yards, with Dave Thom, Michael Chapman and Martin Fetherston Godley the last three winning trainers.

White Settler is at his best coming from behind in a strongly run race, which makes ideal for this 27 runner cavalry charge.

White Settler did particularly well to finish third over an inadequate six furlongs last time, especially as the waiting tactics appeared to be slightly overdone and he had a mountain to climb at halfway.

The three year old will be able to keep closer tabs on the leaders over a more suitable distance today and will be hard to repel in the closing stages.

Pertemps 2,000 Guineas runner up Even Top is worth another chance in the nine furlong Strensall Stakes.