Absent Friends, an unlucky loser at Thirsk 11 days ago, heads to Knavesmire tomorrow in search of deserved compensation.

The sprinter, trained near Doncaster by John Balding, goes for the opening race, the Anthony Fawcett Memorial Handicap, one of six races on the card, which forms the first leg of York's weekend meeting, highlighted by Timeform Charity Day on Saturday.

Absent Friends, a horse with speed to burn, used his prime asset to good effect at Redcar two outings ago when gaining a pillar to post victory.

But he was unable to adopt similar tactics at Thirsk last time after making a tardy start. Trapped behind the leaders, he failed to get a clear run, but still failed by only inches to get the better of Sharp Hat and Anthony Mon Amour.

Absent Friends can get back on top tomorrow, at the chief expense of Mick Easterby's Elvington Boy, a good runner-up to Boanerges in a valuable race at Musselburgh last time.

Philip Robinson, rider of Absent Friends, looks poised to enjoy a lucrative afternoon.

The Newmarket jockey also teams-up with Hambleden, who has strong claims in the Shepherd Rated Handicap.

A workmanlike winner at Sandown on his latest start, Hambleden looks a horse on the upgrade and his 7lb rise in the ratings may not be enough to anchor him tomorrow. Michael Jarvis's charge can follow-up.

My Nap vote is awarded to Sartorial in the Blue Bicycle Zebra Rated Handicap.

Peter Makin's smart sprinter, lightly-raced last term, made a most encouraging comeback on this course last month when finishing a close third to Yorkies Boy.

Sure to have benefitted from that outing, Sartorial is expected to move into the number one position tomorrow. Tony Clark has the mount.

The Rous Selling Stakes for two-year-olds looks a good opportunity for Mitsuki to gain her second successs of the season.

Alan Berry's filly got off the mark in pleasing style at Thirsk earlier in the month and has good prospects of completing an encore. John Carroll again has the mount.

Mark Johnston's Raised The Bar, disqualified for causing interference, after passing the post in first place on her debut at Ripon, aims to enjoy trouble-free compensation in the Haxby Maiden Stakes. Kevin Darley will be in the saddle.

At Sandown tomorrow, Ball King merits serious consideration in the SBJ Group Classified Stakes.

Gerard Butler's three-year-old suffered dreadful luck at Pontefract last time, being badly hampered by a faller after a couple of furlongs and losing all of 10 lengths.

The fact that he stayed on to finish a four lengths second to Desert Deer gives some indication to how unlucky he appeared. He deserves another chance in the hands of Jimmy Fortune.

Tomorrow's tips:

York

2.10 - Absent Friends

2.40 - Mitsuki

3.15 - Hambleden

3.50 - Sartorial (Nap)

4.25 - Raised The Bar

5.00 - Rapparee

Sandown

2.00 - Prince Dayjur

2.35 - Ball King

3.05 - Pay The Silver

3.40 - Ferzao

4.15 - Sandpoint

4.50 - Lafayette

Updated: 12:41 Thursday, June 14, 2001