JULIE BURKE, whose fortunes have improved dramatically since she came to North Yorkshire from Ireland last summer, can further her reputation as an apprentice with a bright future at Lingfield tomorrow.

Having ridden just a handful of winners during three years in Ireland, Burke hit the fast lane after joining Kevin Ryan’s Hambleton yard last June and ended the year with 14 winners to her credit in Britain.

She recently notched her first success of 2011 at Kempton, and tomorrow Black Baccara provides her with an excellent chance of adding to her scoresheet in Lingfield’s Marriott Hotel Handicap.

Trained by Phil McEntee, the four-year-old scored won readily by two and a quarter lengths on this course last week. A 6lb penalty may not be enough to halt Black Baccara, especially with Burke claiming a valuable 5lb.

Middleham trainer Mark Johnston has his horses – and especially his three-year-olds – in tremendous form and Baileys Agincourt can provide the North Yorkshire maestro with yet another winner in the bluesq.com Maiden Stakes.

Joe Fanning’s mount shaped well on his all-weather debut at Southwell recently when finishing second. It would be no surprise to see him go one better here.

Chris Martin, who has ridden all his five winners on William’s Way, can make it six aboard his favourite horse in the bluesq.com Amateur Riders’ Handicap.

The nine-year-old gelding, trained by Ian Wood, carried Martin to a comfortable success at Southwell on Tuesday. A quick follow-up could be on the cards.

May’s Boy could hardly have been more impressive when winning at Kempton 11 days ago, and Mark Usher’s three-year-old is napped to be victorious again in the Dormans Park Claiming Stakes. Dane O’Neill has the mount.

At Wolverhampton, Lord Lansing can get punters off to a good start in the opening bluesq.com Apprentice Handicap.

A respectable fourth at Lingfield last time out, Lord Lansing, trained at Middleham by Elaine Burke, had previously won over this course and distance.

A return to Wolverhampton can work the oracle for him again.

In the Ringside Conference Suite Handicap, Princess Gail makes plenty of appeal.

The three-year-old, trained by Mark Brisbourne, bolted home by nearly five lengths on this course 11 days ago, and can defy a 6lb penalty under Shane Kelly.

The Sponsor A Race Claiming Stakes looks a pretty tightly-knit affair, but Majuro gets the nod to score for Newmarket trainer Michael Wigham.

A Kempton winner on his latest outing last month, Majuro had previously won on this course before finishing second on Southwell’s slower surface.

He has been in great heart for several weeks.

Piscean (7.00) and recent Lingfield winner Garstang (7.30) are two others to note.


Racing selections

Lingfield
1.20 William’s Way, 1.50 Wyeth, 2.20 Baileys Agincourt, 2.50 Black Baccara, 3.25 Close To The Edge, 4.00 May’s Boy (NAP), 4.35 Urban Kode.

Wolverhampton
5.00 Lord Lansing, 5.30 Princess Gail, 6.00 Majuro, 6.30 Mount Hollow, 7.00 Piscean, 7.30 Garstang, 8.00 Ekasin.

Tomorrow’s other meetings:
Catterick and Chepstow.

Today’s meetings:
Southwell, Wolverhampton, Towcester, Wincanton.