Sprint specialist David Nicholls can make a bold bid for the big prize at York tomorrow as Tax Free aims to carry off the £75,000 William Hill Trophy.

The six-furlong event is the centrepiece of Timeform Charity Day on Knavesmire, which is normally held in June but which, because of Royal Ascot, has this year got an end-of-summer slot.

It shouldn't matter to Tax Free. Winner of three of his four races, he has made significant strides this season, his latest success coming in a red-hot handicap at Newmarket last month.

Former jockey Nicholls has made his name as a trainer on the back of sprinters and his yard at Sessay, near Easingwold, is packed full of able speedsters.

Just how good Tax Free might prove to be is hard to know at present, this being his first season of racing, but the three-year-old has impressive credentials as he bids to hit the jackpot tomorrow. Adrian Nicholls, the trainer's jockey-son again has the mount.

Hambleton trainer Kevin Ryan, who is strongly represented in the William Hill Trophy, can take the opening honours tomorrow with Tedstale in the Queen Mother's Cup, for lady amateur riders.

Ryan, who had two winners on Knavesmire during the Ebor Festival, including the Gimcrack with Amadeus Wolf, has enjoyed a good campaign with Tedstale, whose chances are increased by the lady in the saddle being Nina Carberry, arguably the finest female rider in Europe.

James Caird is napped to land the Cadogan Silver Salver over nine furlongs.

Mark Tompkins' Goodwood winner seemed to find the extended ten furlongs against him at the Ebor meeting as he faded under pressure. Tomorrow's shorter trip, the same distance as he won over at Goodwood, should help restore his winning ways.

The lightly-raced Thunder Rock can give the 'old firm' of Sir Michael Stoute and Kieren Fallon a winner on the card, while the speedy Bowness is taken to come out on top in the wide-open Charles Henry Memorial Handicap. Kerrin McEvoy has been booked to take the mount on James Given's useful filly.

Newmarket's Hopeful Stakes tomorrow, a Listed race over six furlongs, has been selected by trainer Michael Jarvis as a suitable restarting point for Iffraaj, who has had a rest since being unplaced in the July Cup.

Previously unbeaten in three starts this season, including the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot at York, the four-year-old deserves the utmost respect.

Saturday's tips

York

2.20 Tedstale, 2.50 James Caird (Nap), 3.25 Tax Free, 4.00 Thunder Rock, 4.35 Heureux, 5.05 Bowness, 5.35 Dakota Rain.

Newmarket

1.00 Instructor, 1.30 Kut, 2.05 Iffraaj, 2.40 River Thames, 3.15 Game Lad, 3.45 Halkin, 4.20 Kingscross.

Tomorrow's other race meetings are at Cartmel (afternoon, National Hunt), Goodwood (afternoon, Flat), Market Rasen (evening, National Hunt) and Windsor (evening, Flat).

Updated: 11:51 Friday, August 26, 2005