Byron Bear, who gave notice that his winning turn was imminent on his latest outing at Newcastle, is napped to fulfill that promise at Redcar today.
Trained at Westow by Paul Midgley, whose horses are running out of their skins, Byron Bear will be ridden by champion jockey Paul Hanagan in the latest qualifier for the John Smith’s Redcar Straight Mile Championship Handicap.
Byron Bear finished third at Newcastle nearly three weeks ago, but he would surely have given the winner Vetvey plenty to think about had he not been stopped in his run at a crucial time before staying on stoutly to only just fail to finish runner-up.
There is surely more improvement to come from Byron Bear, who is fancied to turn the tables this time on Vetvey, and also on Downtown Boy, who finished marginally ahead of him at Newcastle.
Midgley also has good prospects with Summer Dancer in the Redcar Raceourse Wedding And Conference Venue Handicap but he may have most to fear from Hanagan, who will be aboard Cathedral Spires for Howard Johnson.
A winning juvenile last season, Cathedral Spires does, on the face of it, have a stiff task taking on older horses on his seasonal debut. But he receives a healthy 12lb weight-for-age allowance and the Hanagan booking looks significant by a trainer who rarely secures the jockey for no-hopers.
Hanagan, who enjoyed such a wonderful time (five winners) at Chester’s three-day May Festival last week, and who is eagerly looking forward to this week’s three days’ racing at York, where he has some choice rides, can enjoy further success at Redcar aboard Arcticality and Ollon, both trained by Richard Fahey, his greatest supporter.
Arcticality, who runs in the opening redcarracing.co.uk Maiden Stakes, was far from disgraced on her debut at Ripon where she had a widish draw to overcome. She should give a good account of herself against likely favourite Bannock, runner-up on his debut at Doncaster for Mark Johnston.
Ollon runs in the Racing UK On Channel 432 Handicap and showed enough last season to suggest he can pay his way at this modest level, at the very least, as a three-year-old.
The action tomorrow switches to Beverley, where Hanagan again looks likely to enjoy the fruits of his labours.
The Malton pilot has a host of useful-looking rides, including Superplex (2.00), trained by John Quinn and narrowly beaten here last week, Clipthorne (2.30), who starts the campaign in modest selling company for Ollie Pears, and Red Roar (3.00), who made good strides last as a sprinter last season. She is awarded the nap vote.
Aquarian Spirit (4.00) is yet another good ride for Hanagan, who steered this gelding to victory at Redcar a couple of weeks ago.
Racing selections
Redcar (today)
2.20 Arcticality, 2.50 Patch Patch, 3.20 Pantella, 3.50 Cathedral Spires, 4.20 Mark Anthony, 4.50 Ollon, 5.20 Byron Bear (NAP).
Today’s other meetings
Brighton, Towcester, Windsor and Wolverhampton.
Beverley (tomorrow)
2.00 Superplex, 2.30 Clipthorne, 3.00 Red Roar (NAP), 3.30 Dance For Livvy, 4.00 Aquarian Spirit, 4.30 Power Punch, 5.00 Residence And Spa.
Tomorrow’s other meetings
Sedgefield, Southwell, Warwick and Yarmouth.
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