Racing by Tom O'Ryan
The in-form Ruzen, trained in South Glamorgan by Bryn Palling, can deny a strong North Yorkshire challenge in tomorrow's 350,000 William Hill Trophy Handicap - the richest handicap for three-year-olds in Europe and the showpiece of York's 28th Timeform Charity Day.
A cracking race is in prospect, but few of the runners go into battle in higher spirits than Ruzen, who is chasing a hat-trick of wins after victories at Windsor and Leicester.
This speedy colt had three-and-a-half lengths to spare over Zeppo in a Windsor handicap and readily followed-up in a conditions race at Leicester when beating Quilin by a very cosy length.
Although he has taken a hike in the weights, Ruzen may still be one step ahead of the handicapper and is expected to prove hard to catch in this most competitive of sprints.
The home county is strongly represented by the likes of Eastern Purple, Nuclear Debate, Marton Moss, Carambo, Torrent, and Prix Star. But Ruzen is ambitiously napped to keep all-comers at bay in the hands of Tim Sprake.
Night Flight can get punters off to a good start in the opening race, the Charles Henry Memorial Handicap.
This Richard Fahey-trained grey is owned by Charles Stevens, who sponsors this race in memory of his son. An appropriate triumph could well be forthcoming. Night Flight has run well in both his outings this season, at Doncaster and Thirsk.
Fahey also saddles Princely Dream in the Leonard Sainer Maiden Stakes, and is hopeful that this handsome colt will open his winning account.
A promising second to the speedy Conwy Lodge over five furlongs at Ripon on his debut, Princely Dream ran as green as grass that day but will be much wiser this time and will also appreciate this extra furlong.
Tim Easterby, whose horses are in cracking form, can lift The Queen Mother's Cup with the useful, if slightly frustrating Crystal Falls, who will receive every assistance from the accomplished Alyson Deniel.
Crystal Falls has most to fear from the Michael Stoute-trained maiden Karasi, who has shown bags of promise in his last two starts.
Fayik, who caught the eye running well over seven furlongs at Goodwood last time, will relish the step up to nine furlongs in the Cadogan Silver Salver. He should run a big race under Gary Hind.
The consistant Bawsian (4.45) and the promising On The Ridge (5.15) also make plenty of appeal in this high-class programme run in such a worthy cause. Since its inception in 1971 the Timeform Charity Day has raised some £2.25 million for various charities, principally Macmillan Cancer Relief.
At Sandown tomorrow, Pat Eddery looks the jockey to follow.
The 11-times champion has a host of promising-looking mounts, including Piped Abroad (2.55), Herminius (3.30), Cortachy Castle (4.00) and northern raider Turgenev (4.35).
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