Harrison George, owned by York-based Phil Smith and the highest-rated horse in Richard Fahey’s Malton yard, bids to take the feature honours at Pontefract tomorrow.

The £40,000 Sky Bet Pomfret Stakes is the target for the tough as teak five-year-old, who will be partnered as usual by Paul Hanagan, the season’s leading jockey.

With opposition including Godolphin’s high-class Rio De La Plata, last year’s John Smith’s Cup winner Sirvino, trained by David Barron, and the talented but unpredictable Zacinto from Sir Michael Stoute’s yard, Harrison George faces a tall order for this Listed prize.

But the North Yorkshire gelding is nothing if not consistent. He has already won three races this season, one over this course and distance, one at York and, most recently, a conditions race at Haydock last Saturday.

Harrison George has raised his rating this season from 95 to 114, a remarkable rise. A further success tomorrow will see him climb further up the ladder.

Hanagan, the jockey of the moment, as he blazes the trail in the jockeys’ title race, has another good chance on the Pontefract card.

The Malton jockey teams up with an interesting newcomer, Flash City, from the Bryan Smart stable.

A son of Elusive City, he cost 28,000gns as a two-year-old and is well drawn in stall one in what looks an ordinary contest for the Welcome To Yorkshire Action Packed Outdoors Maiden Stakes.

Ryan Moore, Hanagan’s big championship rival, is also in action during the afternoon and can also figure among the winners.

Moore rides Noodles Blue Boy for Norton trainer Ollie Pears in the Family Day On 15th August Handicap. The gelding, who has been running well over the minimum trip, will relish the step up to six furlongs.

Moore can also score with Entitled for Sir Michael Stoute in the Keepmoat Delivering Community Regeneration. The three-year-old finished a good second at Windsor on her debut three weeks ago.

Umverti, trained by Neville Bycroft, likes this course and was successful here last week. Another victory can come her way in the Yorkshire Society Handicap under Danny Tudhope.

At Carlisle, the Stobart Ladies Northern Derby Bowl Handicap takes pride of place with £15,000 in added prize money.

North Yorkshire stables field a stong challenge with the likes of The Last Alzao, trained by Richard Fahey, the Brian Ellison-trained pair Overrule and Film Festival, and Oneofapear from Alan Swinbank’s Richmond yard.

Marginal preference is for the latter, a good third at Ripon last time out, and a horse who looks sure to appreciate this step up to almost one-and-a-half miles. Significantly, Nina Carberry has the mount on Oneofapear, who is awarded the nap vote.

Swinbank can also score with Fourth Generation (4.45) and Robbie Burnett (5.20).

Racing selections

York (today).

2.00 Blaze Of Thunder, 2.30 Viewing, 3.05 Bushman, 3.40 Valery Borzov, 4.10 Common Touch (NAP), 4.45 Palomar, 5.20 Antoniola.

Today’s other meetings: Ascot, Lingfield, Newcastle, Newmarket and Salisbury.

Pontefract (tomorrow).

2.05 Flash City, 2.40 Umverti, 3.15 Rowan Lodge, 3.50 Harrison George, 4.25 Noodles Blue Boy, 5.00 Entitled, 5.30 King Of Swords.

Carlisle (tomorrow).

1.50 Earl Wild, 2.25 Sunnyside Tom, 3.00 Rio Cobolo, 3.35 Oneofapear (NAP), 4.10 Jack Luey, 4.45 Fourth Generation, 5.20 Robbie Burnett.

Tomorrow’s other meeting: Ascot.