AWZAAN could begin his road to recovery at York Racecourse this weekend.

Mark Johnston’s colt won the Middle Park Stakes as a two-year-old and was considered by the Middleham handler to have a major chance in the top races last season.

But injury struck and, in four starts including the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, he failed to fire.

He had won his first four races before then and Kingsley House-based Johnston will be hoping he can recapture that form and launch a new assault after being confirmed at the five-day entry stage for the Class 3 sportingbet.com Conditions Stakes over seven furlongs.

York, fresh from the success of the three-day May Festival, hold a seven-race card on Saturday.

Ancient Cross, one of three winners last week for Sheriff Hutton-based Mick Easterby, could line up in a particularly competitive sportingbet.com Sprint.

Thirteen Shivers, another Easterby winner at York, is entered in the same race, while Norton trainer Brian Ellison’s Mon Brav goes hunting a hat-trick of victories.

Old stager Tax Free could also line up in a five-furlong contest where five of the 36 entries have won on Knavesmire.

New Planet, John Quinn’s highly regarded three-year-old, has an entry – but the Norton trainer reckons his Majestic Missile Colt, a winner in the Roses Stakes at York last season before subsequently finishing third in the Flying Childers at Doncaster, might go to Haydock for the Temple Stakes instead.

“He seems in good form,” Quinn said. “He’s also in at York this weekend so we don’t know where we’re going to run him but the likelihood is that he’ll probably go to Haydock.

“We’re pleased with him and we just want to get him going.”

Malton trainer Richard Fahey, who also won three times at York last week thanks to the likes of Miss Work Of Art, has a predictably strong book of entries including Thirsk Hunt Cup winner Justonefortheroad in the sportingbet.com Conditions Stakes and Cracking Lass in the feature Listed Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup.

Common Touch, part-owned by York Racecourse chairman Nicholas Wrigley, is set to return to the track in the sportingbet.com Handicap following his Knavesmire win last week.

The entry of Holy Roman Warrior, a two-year-old on debut, catches the eye in the Yorkshire Regiment EBF Median Auction Maiden Stakes – one of three for the Musley Bank handler, who could also saddle Moonville and One Kool Dude.

James Brennan, York Racecourse head of marketing, said: “The Listed Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup has produced Royal Ascot winners in the past and will Native Ruler bounce straight back from his fourth in the Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup last week?

“Theology is also in that race and there are a couple of names that York regulars will recognise. We’ll see who is in at the 48-hour stage but there is a lot to see in the staying division.

“It’s encouraging at the five-day stage to see such a strong interest in a valuable card.”


Pride of North Yorkshire

UNSUNG heroes of northern racing can get the recognition they deserve in a top awards scheme, writes Steve Carroll.

Nominations are required from stables in North Yorkshire for the Betfair Pride of Racing Awards 2011.

Run since 2005, the awards seek to celebrate individuals who make British racing great.

The awards provide the opportunity for fans of racing to highlight a person whom they believe deserves public recognition.

In the past, awards’ recipients have ranged from the likes of Sheikh Mohammed to Alfie Mills, who received praise for his long-standing service to Chris Thornton and now works for Mark Johnston at Middleham.

Nominees will have made a positive contribution to the sport of racing through acts of generosity, heroism, a lifetime commitment to the sport or any other act that deserves public recognition.

The awards cover activities not just in the workplace but throughout the racing community. An awards night will be held at Epsom Racecourse on July 14. To nominate, log on to www.racingwelfare.co.uk. Entries must be submitted before Saturday.