York’s Clerk of the course, William Derby, has warned potential race goers about the danger of buying tickets for the Ebor meeting off touts, with genuine tickets on sale at the gate over all four days.

The Knavesmire is a course that has noticeably been targeted by forgeries before, and the management supported the prosecution of touts found guilty of selling fake tickets outside the gates in 2006.

William Derby, said: "Ticket touts are a feature of all major sporting venues, and we wouldn't be any different, but we have a policy of working with the local authorities and the police to ensure that doesn't inhibit race goers getting into the course, and we would advice all race goers not to buy tickets and badges off touts.

 "We have had in the past tickets bought off touts that are forgeries, and then race goers do not gain admission into the course. Our message is that we have availability in all enclosures on all days, and we will turn people away if their badges are invalid so it's just not worth the risk of buying from touts, and we will be vigilant in ensuring badges are valid."

Many punters will be in search of tickets for the opening day of the meeting, which will witness the epic three way battle between Sea The Stars, Mastercraftsman and Tartan Bearer.

Many punters have been trying to identify possible flaws in Sea The Stars as he takes aim on his fourth Group 1 victory of the year.  The return to a left-handed course has raised some doubts, however speaking on Sunday, trainer John Oxx said that the nature of the Knavesmire will hold no problems for his three-year-old: "I imagine it will be ideal for him. The track is fair and looks very suitable."

The ground at York was on Sunday officially described as good to firm all over and plans are in place to maintain this by watering if necessary.

Juddmonte International Stakes: Market (PaddyPower)

Sea The Stars   2/5
Mastercraftsman   5/2
Tartan Bearer   9/1
Georgebernardshaw   150/1
Set Sail   200/1