Racing returns to York tomorrow for a two-day meeting, highlighted by Saturday’s Macmillan Charity Day, and Beat The Rush is fancied to resume winning ways in the longest race on the seven-race card.
Trained at Norton by Julie Camacho, the talented gelding goes for the Bond Tyres Handicap over two miles and is narrowly preferred to course winner Hawk Mountain, also trained in Norton by John Quinn, and a recent scorer at Musselburgh.
It was at Musselburgh that Beat The Rush made his seasonal debut and finished third to High Office, only weakening when the race began in earnest in the last couple of furlongs, as though his comeback outing may have been needed to return him to concert pitch.
Tomorrow’s step up in trip is likely to suit Beat The Rush, who was twice a winner last season when he looked a progressive handicapper.
There is surely more to come from him this time around and he may have the edge over Hawk Mountain, who proved his well-being on his latest outing and who is well versed in coping with the demands of Knavesmire, having won here last August.
Tim Easterby’s Newcastle winner Bollin Judith and Dark Ranger, a big-priced winner for Tim Pitt at York last month, are also expected to be in the mix.
Speed will be at a premium in the Charles Clinkard Fine Footwear Handicap over five furlongs and, in a wide open race, Captain Carey is selected to make it third time lucky this season.
Third-placed efforts at Newbury and Goodwood confirm Malcolm Saunders’ useful sprinter is coming nicely to the boil and he is fancied to have the measure of Mick Easterby’s Ancient Cross, a winner here last month, and Richard Fahey’s progressive three-year-old Mr Optimistic.
Easterby and Fahey can, though, figure on the York scoreboard.
Barren Brook gives Sheriff Hutton-based Easterby strong claims in the William Birch & Sons Ltd Handicap over nine furlongs.
The four-year-old looked like a horse coming to hand on his latest outing at Thirsk when he finished fifth to Kensei.
Tomorrow’s extra furlong should be in his favour and he is napped to oblige under Paul Mulrennan.
Few York meetings come and go without Fahey being among the winners and the Malton trainer can strike in the SKF Rous Selling Stakes with Artists Corner.
Narrowly beaten on her debut at Doncaster and a creditable fourth at Beverley next time, Artists Time is expected to relish this step up to six furlongs and is narrowly preferred to stablemate Arcticality, winner of a selling race at Thirsk last time out.
Pen Bal Crag, who shaped well to finish third at Ripon on his debut, also ranks highly for Fahey in the opening Acturis EBF Maiden Stakes, while in the Future Cleaning Services Apprentice Handicap, Pokfulham should go well for Scottish trainer Jim Goldie.
A much-improved horse over hurdles during the winter, the gelding transferred that ability to the Flat when winning at Hamilton recently. A 6lb penalty hardly looks enough to stop him in his tracks.
At Sandown, the speedy Indian Shuffle (2.50) and Manaaber (4.00) are worthy of respect.
Racing selections
York
2.10 Pen Bal Crag, 2.40 Barren Brook (NAP), 3.15 Beat The Rush, 3.50 Artists Corner, 4.25 Captain Carey, 4.55 Above All, 5.30 Pokfulham.
Sandown
2.20 El Diamante, 2.50 Indian Shuffle, 3.25 Poetic Lord, 4.00 Manaaber, 4.35 Perpetually, 5.05 Secret Edge.
Tomorrow’s other meetings
Aintree, Chepstow, Goodwood and Market Rasen.
Today’s meetings
Fontwell, Haydock, Newbury, Nottingham, Uttoxeter and Yarmouth.
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