York steps into the breach tomorrow to stage a meeting originally scheduled for Catterick and is offering half-price admission to racegoers who book attendance at any other day on Knavesmire this year.
The one-off meeting, staged because Catterick is currently undergoing a redevelopment of its stables, has been dubbed 'Reward Friday' by York as a gesture to its regular racegoers.
The programme of events includes the Sarah Lunn Memorial Handicap, the inaugural running of a race, which is being held in honour of the popular secretary to trainer David Nicholls, who was tragically killed in a road accident near Easingwold last autumn.
Many of Sarah's family and friends will be at York for the race, and Nicholls has set his stall out on winning it, by fielding a bumper eight-strong squad of runners from his Sessay yard.
The trainer, on the mark at Ripon last night with Merlin's Dancer, has several horses with solid chances, including Native Title, winner of the Ayr Silver Cup last September.
The gelding made a most encouraging reappearance at Chester earlier this month, staying on strongly from a poor draw to finish fourth to Ptarmigan Ridge over an inadequate five furlongs. Tomorrow's extra furlong should play to his strengths in a race sure to touch the hearts of many whatever the outcome.
Robin Bastiman has his small string in good form and the Wetherby trainer has good prospects of landing the sportingoptions.co.uk Maiden Auction Fillies' Stakes with nap selection Smiddy Hill.
The mount of Royston Ffrench, who rode a treble at Beverley on Monday, Smiddy Hill has finished in the frame in all her three starts and was a good fourth in a hot race here earlier in the month, won by Dance Away. The second and third from that contest, Mizz Tee and Nufoos, have both scored since.
Smiddy Hill looks to have less on her plate here - provided, of course, one of the less-exposed runners are anything special - and her proven speed and experience should stand her in excellent stead.
Bridgewater Boys has been in fine form recently, winning his last two starts and it would come as no surprise to see Kevin Ryan's sprinter land the opening Sporting Options-sponsored handicap.
The three-year-old showed a good attitude to win a hot handicap at Haydock a week ago and may be up to defying a 6lb penalty in the hands of Neil Callan.
Also worth noting are the Richard Fahey-trained No Grouse (3.20), who looks to be returning to form, and Galandora (4-50), who scored at Musselburgh recently.
Yorkshire racegoers have the opportunity of taking in a double-header tomorrow, with Pontefract staging a decent evening meeting, highlighted by the £15,000 Youngsters Conditions Stakes.
This valuable event looks a good opportunity for Dario Gee Gee to return to the winning trail.
Kevin Ryan's juvenile scored at Doncaster on his debut and ran a fine race in defeat at Newmarket next time out.
Neil Callan journeys from York to take the mount.
Tomoroow's Tips:
York
2-20 Bridgewater Boys, 2-50 Smiddy Hill (NAP), 3-20 No Grouse, 3-50 Light Of Morn, 4-20 Native Title, 4-50 Galandora
Pontefract
6-35 Bailieborough, 7-05 Dance Party, 7-35 Dario Gee Gee, 8-05 Alekhine, 8-35 Maritime Blues, 9-05 Firebird Rising
Tomorrow's other meetings are at Wolverhampton, Towcester and Brighton
Updated: 12:10 Thursday, May 27, 2004
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