Wayne Rooney may not have had much to shout about during the recent Euro 2012 football championships, but the England and Manchester United star could be in celebratory mood at Haydock tomorrow.
Rooney is a part-owner of Yourartisonfire, a North Yorkshire-trained juvenile and one of only four runners in the Distinction Doors Maiden Stakes.
One outing is the sum total of Yourartisonfire’s experience, but it was a highly encouraging effort, fourth place at Nottingham in what appeared to be a competitive-looking maiden.
There is every reason to believe that Yourartisonfire will have benefited from his experience of three weeks ago. He faces two rivals with similar credentials and an interesting newcomer from the Richard Fahey yard, but he promises to run a big race.
Elaine Burke, Middleham trainer of Yourartisonfire, can also lift the Residence 9 Fillies’ Handicap with Bella Noir, runner-up in her last two starts and overdue a winning turn.
Burke also has good prospects with Mollyvator, a good second at York on her only start to date, in the Fit Show Everyone’s Going Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, but preference is for Sky Garden, trained by William Haggas.
Third of five on her debut at Windsor, Sky Garden significantly went off a short-priced favourite.
The five furlongs seemed to catch her out that day and the step up to six furlongs is surely in her favour this time. She looks sure to go well.
Lord Aeryn is fancied to win for Fahey in the Selecta Systems Handicap.
Forget his latest subdued effort in very testing ground at York – Lord Aeryn’s previous two runs, here and at Doncaster, put him in here with a sound chance.
George Chaloner, who is apprenticed to the Malton trainer and rode Johannes to win for him at Doncaster last Saturday, takes the mount and should get a good tune out of the five-year-old.
Norton trainer Brian Ellison saddled his 600th career winner at Wolverhampton on Monday, courtesy of Majestic Breeze, and Best Trip can add to his tally in the Tuffx Glass Handicap.
Barry McHugh’s mount has been in unstoppable form lately, rattling up a hat-trick at Carlisle last week when scooting home with three-and-a-half lengths to spare. He will take some beating, even under a 6lb penalty.
Epsom’s evening meeting could produce a couple of North Yorkshire-trained winners.
Baldemar, trained by Fahey, is three times a course winner and ran well at his favourite venue to finish third here on his latest outing. He should be competitive under Shane B Kelly in the Try totequickpick If You’re Feeling Lucky Handicap.
Stillington trainer Ruth Carr is represented by Klynch in the Beltane Asset Management Handicap.
The six-year-old is in terrific form at present, winning at York and following up in tremendous style at Hamilton last week.
A 6lb penalty takes his weight up to a welter 10st 3lb but, given his current form, Klynch and James Sullivan may be able to complete a hat-trick.
racing selections
Epsom (tomorrow)
6.05 Kings Troop, 6.35 Rising Legend, 7.10 Baldemar, 7.45 Klynch, 8.20 Infinitum, 8.50 Feisty Champion.
Haydock (tomorrow)
2.20 Brockwell, 2.50 Sky Garden, 3.20 Yourartisonfire, 3.50 Best Trip, 4.20 Lord Aeryn, 4.50 Bella Noir, 5.20 Key Gold.
Tomorrow’s other meetings: Newbury and Yarmouth. The meeting at Perth has been abandoned.
Today’s meetings: Catterick, Chepstow, Kempton and Worcester. The meeting at Perth has been abandoned.
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