Captain Dunne, who bypassed a tempting target at York this week, turns out instead at Thirsk tomorrow and is napped to come out on top in the feature race on the card.

Trained by Tim Easterby, the talented gelding runs in the £18,600 Scarborough Handicap and, with David Allan on board, can gain compensation for a luckless defeat at Newcastle on his reappearance.

Captain Dunne did well to finish second to Buachaill Dona at Gosforth Park, considering he was badly hampered two furlongs out. With a clear run, he would surely have won.

Easterby purposely chose to miss York with Captain Dunne to wait for this race and his decision is expected to pay dividends.

Discanti can initiate a Thirsk double for Easterby by winning the Robin Hoods Bay Handicap over six furlongs.

The five-year-old is much more settled this year and his latest smooth Ripon success suggested he is an improved performer as a result. He is expected to take plenty of beating.

Sticking with the sprinters, Igoyougo should make a bold bid in the Filey Handicap over the minimum trip.

Trained near the course by Geoff Harker, Igoyougo won on this course a fortnight ago. There looks to be more to come.

In the Stoneacre Ford Handicap over a mile, Handsome Falcon can open his seasonal account.

The Richard Fahey-trained gelding, a giant-sized horse, ran a fine race in defeat at Beverley recently when only out-run inside the final furlong by Danehillsundance. He can go one better with Freddie Tylicki.

The best of tomorrow’s action takes place at Newbury where Paco Boy looks to be in pole position to lift the showpiece £200,000 totesport.com Lockinge Stakes.

Richard Hannon’s five-year-old is a huge talent as he showed when winning in style at Sandown last month. Winner of last season’s Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, he is will be hard to beat under Richard Hughes.

The £40,000 totepool Aston Park Stakes looks a good opportunity for Sabotage, trained last season by Mark Johnston, but now with Saeed bin Suroor.

Winner of a well-contested race in Dubai in February, Sabotage looks the type to enjoy a good year on turf in staying races.

A competitive field faces the starter in the £35,000 totescoop6 London Gold Cup and Paul Hanagan’s mount Ingleby Spirit is not to be overlooked.


Racing selections

York (today)
1.40 Above The Stars, 2.10 Thin Red Line, 2.40 Manifest, 3.10 Carioca, 3.45 Hoof It, 4.20 Ingleby Lady, 4.55 Beat The Rush (NAP).

Today’s other meetings: Aintree, Hamilton, Newbury, Newcastle and Newmarket.

Thirsk (tomorrow)
2.05 Royal Hush, 2.40 Royal Swain, 3.15 Magic Millie, 3.50 Handsome Falcon, 4.25 Discanti, 5.00 Captain Dunne (NAP), 5.30 Igoyougo.

Newbury (tomorrow)
1.25 Lunar Victory, 2.00 Sabotage, 2.30 Ingleby Spirit, 3.05 Paco Boy, 3.40 Striking Spirit, 4.15 Sard, 4.50 Ertikaan, 5.25 Flambeau.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Bangor, Doncaster, Newmarket and Uttoxeter.