York Racecourse opens it doors for the first time in 2010 tomorrow and North Yorkshire trainers are fancied to lift four of the seven races on the opening day, with David Nicholls leading the way by bagging the prestigious Duke Of York Stakes.

The Sessay handler, renowned for his expert handling of sprinters, saddles Inxile in this £100,000 six-furlong contest, sponsored by Blue Square.

The five-times winner is selected to beat a field which includes Starspangledbanner, one of Australia’s leading speedsters last term, who is now trained by Aidan O’Brien.

Inxile made a winning start to the season at Doncaster when winning a Listed race over six furlongs. He has since journeyed to France, but this headstrong customer bolted to the start and was withdrawn before being able to show what he could do.

Adrian Nicholls, the trainer’s son and stable jockey, will be taking things carefully when he takes Inxile to the stalls.

The return journey will be at breakneck speed, and Inxile is fancied to lead home his rivals.

Tim Easterby has several good chances on the card, not least with Deauville Flyer, for whom he has secured the services of Kieren Fallon in the Bet At Bluesquare.com SP Guarantee Handicap.

A smart performer, and a dual-winner, Deauville Flyer enjoyed little luck in running when fifth on his reappearance at Beverley recently and is capable of leaving that form well behind this time.

Easterby also saddles a useful juvenile, Cocktail Charlie, in the Blue Square Novice Stakes, but this impressive Ripon debut winner faces another smart youngster in Majestic Myles, trained by Richard Fahey. A winner at Musselburgh on his first outing 12 days ago, Majestic Myles is fancied to give Cocktail Charlie plenty to think about.

The nap vote is awarded to a relative dark horse in Boss’s Destination, who has yet to trouble the judge in three outings in maiden company.

Trained by Alan Swinbank, the three-year-old has, however, performed creditably and the step up to an extended mile and a quarter should be right up his street in theripleycollection.com Handicap. He is expected to give a good account of himself.

Henry Cecil is the trainer to keep on your side in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes.

The Newmarket legend saddles Aviate, winner of her only two outings and impressive at Ascot on her latest start.

Going the right way, she may be up to capturing this Group 3 showpiece.

Sir Michael Stoute’s promising and lightly-raced four-year-old Imposing (1.40) and the well-regarded Summerinthecity (2.10), who represents Jeremy Noseda, are two others to note.

Ryan Moore, the champion jockey, rides the pair.


Racing selections

York
1.40 Imposing, 2.10 Summerinthecity, 2.40 Aviate, 3.10 Inxile, 3.45 Deauville Flyer, 4.20 Majestic Myles, 4.55 Boss’s Destination (NAP).

Bath
6.00 Mazzola, 6.30 Emma’s Gift, 7.00 Spinning Waters, 7.30 Magroom, 8.00 Round Won, 8.30 Miss Firefly.

Tomorrow’s other meetings:
Exeter, Fontwell and Perth.

Today’s meetings:
Beverley, Newton Abbot, Southwell, Warwick and Yarmouth.