Newmarket-based Yorkshire-man William Haggas likes nothing better than to saddle winners on Knavesmire and he has double prospects tomorrow with Valiant and Lordofthehouse.

No stranger to success at York, Haggas, a past winner of the Gimcrack Stakes with Conquest, last year won the John Smith’s Cup with Green Destiny.

Valiant can add to his tally in the Neptune Investment Management Handicap. A beautifully-bred son of Galileo, the three-year-old made a belated debut at Newbury four weeks ago and made a victorious bow under Joseph O’Brien in maiden company, winning in the style of a horse with a bright future.

Handicap racing now beckons and Valiant may not be badly treated as he aims to further his reputation in this tougher contest. He should go well under Ryan Moore.

Chris Catlin retains the ride on Lordofthehouse in the £20,000 Bond Tyres Handicap, the richest race on the card.

A three-times winner last season, Lordofthehouse failed by a whisker to pick up where he left off at Thirsk last month over an inadequate mile and a half.

Stepped up an extra half-mile last time at Haydock and teamed with Catlin, the four-year-old ran out a decisive winner, despite losing ground at the start, which has become a frustrating habit of his.

Tomorrow’s race is over a mile and three-quarters, which is probably a bare minimum for Lordof-thehouse, but he’s a horse very much on the up and success here could well earn him a crack at the valuable Northumberland Plate at Newcastle at the end of June.

Richard Fahey, leading trainer on Knavesmire for the last six years, fires plenty of ammunition throughout York’s season and tomorrow is no exception.

The Malton handler is three-handed in the opening Acturis Maiden Stakes and the pick may well be newcomer Flyman, a well-bred colt by Pastoral Pursuit, who significantly will be teamed up with Paul Hanagan.

While stablemates Eastern Destiny and Bridle Belle have fighting chances against Valiant and Lordofthehouse respectively, Fahey has another good chance with Jamesway in the Rufforth Handicap. The four-year-old has run two excellent races this season at Epsom, most recently when finishing on the heels of the principals in the hotly-contested Investec Dash. Maybe he can make it third time lucky under Tony Hamilton.

Lord Aeryn is not without a chance for Fahey in the Racing Plus £1.20 On Saturday Handicap, but the vote goes to Green Howard, trained at Wetherby by Robin Bastiman.

A triple-winner last season, Green Howard made a triumphant start to his latest campaign when scoring at Catterick on his debut.

He looked that day as though there was still a fair bit to come from him, and, if that proves the case, Green Howard may not be troubled by a 4lb higher mark. Danny Tudhope has the mount.

The £10,000 SKF Rous Selling Stakes is always a fascinating race and, while Fahey’s Fly Fisher, dropped in class after running respectably in maiden company, has a strong shout, marginal preference is for Fadeintoinfinity, trained by Mick Channon. The filly lost narrowly to the promising Projectisle at Redcar on her latest start and is fancied to go one better under Sam Hitchcott.

Wetherby trainer Peter Salmon does well with his small string, and Hydrant can provide him with a memorable York win in the Future Cleaning Services Apprentice Handicap.

Hydrant absolutely trotted up at Haydock recently, winning by seven lengths without being asked a serious question. The ground was very soft that day, which places a shadow of doubt over the value of the form, but Hydrant has to be held in high esteem all the same, carrying a 6lb penalty and the mount of Adam Beschizza, rider of the aforementioned Green Destiny, the Haggas-trained winner of last year’s John Smith’s Cup.

racing selections

York (tomorrow)
2.00 Flyman, 2.30 Valiant, 3.05 Lordofthehouse (NAP), 3.40 Fadeintoinfinity, 4.10 Jamesway, 4.45 Green Howard, 5.15 Hydrant.

Sandown (tomorrow)
2.10 Regal Dan, 2.40 Jocasta Dawn, 3.15 Sublimation, 3.50 Oojooba, 4.20 Chain Of Events, 4.55 Gold Sceptre.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Aintree, Chepstow, Goodwood and Musselburgh.

Today’s meetings: Haydock, Hereford, Newbury, Nottingham, Uttoxeter and Yarmouth.