A big crowd is expected at Thirsk this evening for an entertaining six-race card, but Tim Easterby, despite being represented at his local course, will also have one eye on the corresponding Windsor meeting where Fayr Jag bids for the richest race of the day.

The £28,000 Independatage Partnership Assurance Stakes is the target for the Great Habton sprinter, who looked very much like a winner waiting to happen at York last month.

Fayr Jag made his seasonal reappearance in the Duke Of York Stakes and, after taking the eye in the paddock, ran an absolute blinder to finish fourth on ground much too testing for him.

Underfoot conditions tonight will be much more to the liking of Fayr Jag, who loves to hear his hooves rattle, and although the seven-year-old faces some tough opposition, this former Royal Ascot winner is napped to return to the winning groove.

The feature event at Thirsk is the £14,000 Weatherbys Bank Handicap, in which Sualda, trained by Richard Fahey, has strong claims.

The seven-year-old comes from a stable in fine form and will be all the better for his creditable comeback performance when finishing seventh at York last month on ground too gluey for him.

With Paul Hanagan in the saddle, Sualda should make a bold show.

Darlington trainer Michael Dods may hold the key to the Buck Inn Thornton Watlass Handicap with Major Magpie and Hula Ballew in the line-up.

Both have Pontefract wins to their credit this season and there should be precious little to choose between the pair this evening, but marginal preference is for Major Magpie, who may prefer this flatter track more than his stablemate.

In the £10,000 Jack Calvert Fillies' Handicap, named in memory of the former Hambleton trainer, Smiddy Hill should take plenty of catching in the hands of Royston Ffrench after her recent promising seasonal comeback to finish second at Yarmouth.

After Thirsk this evening, the Yorkshire action shifts to Ripon tomorrow afternoon and Lambourn trainer Barry Hills promises to make his presence felt.

Hills saddles Frisky Talk in the Spa Welter Maiden Stakes and this speedy juvenile should take plenty of catching.

Just caught at Nottingham last time after being clear of her field at half-way, Frisky Talk should relish this fast five furlongs and is fancied to show her rivals a clean pair of heels.

Rodeo can be another winner for Hills in the Grantley Maiden Stakes. The three-year-old went into many notebooks at Newbury last month when finishing second to the favourite Makderah in maiden company, beaten only three-quarters of a length.

Sure to be sharper this time, Rodeo can go one better, carrying the colours of Yorkshire stalwart Guy Reed, his owner-breeder.

Racing selections

Tonight.

Windsor (selected race): 8-00 Fayr Jag (NAP).

Thirsk (selected races): 7-15 Smiddy Hill; 7-45 Sualda; 9-15 Major Magpie.

Today's other meetings: Carlisle, Leicester.

Tomorrow.

Ripon (selected races): 2-15 Frisky Talk, 4-15 Rodeo.

Tomorrow's other meetings: Lingfield, Fonterll, Windsor.