JOHN Dunlop has farmed the recent runnings of Sandown's listed Milcars Star Stakes, taking the event in the last two years with Subya in 1994 and Tamnia last season.

Fernanda bids to present the Arundel trainer with a hat trick in the seven furlong event today and a repeat of her two race course appearances to date could be good enough to land the first prize.

Both outings ended in victory with the first coming at Nottingham in May. On that occasion the daughter of Be My Chief was held up for most of the six furlongs until being produced by jockey of the moment Tim Sprake to come clear of the second Hakkaniyah (winner since) by one and a quarter lengths.

Fernanda reappeared at York last month where she vied for favouritism with Julie Cecil's well thought of Witching Hour. The Cecil runner eventually set off the evens favourite but for once the markets had it wrong as Dunlop's charge, this time under Willie Carson, got the better of her rival again, by one and a quarter lengths.

On both occasions Fernanda showed signs of greenness so further improvement can be expected today. Another plus factor "is that the filly is Dunlop's only representative on the card. The hint should be taken.

Yalta is from a good family of winners including half brother Nash Terrace. After missing his juvenile season, Roger Charltons' charge has made just one appearance so far as a three year old but it was an outing full of promise.

Taking on the much more experienced Questonia in a Windsor maiden, Yalta was noted making good headway in the final quarter mile to finish runner up to Henry Cecil's charge.

. Michael Hills' dash up to North Yorkshire after his successful appeal paid dividends when he partnered Wilawander to a facile success in the Dewsbury Maiden over one mile and six furlongs at, Catterick yesterday.

Wilawander, fourth behind the Dermot Weld trained Gordi in, the Group Three Queens Vase at Royal Ascot last month, had little trouble in landing, odds of 1 to 5, and losing his maiden tag.

The Nashwan colt only had to be pushed out by Hills to beat Belmarita by nine lengths with Philip Robinson accepting his fate on the second some way from borne.