Horatio Carter, pipped at the post in York’s first-ever charity race last month, can get his head in front at Beverley tomorrow.

The David O’Meara-trained seven-year-old gave Sophia Monkman, the sales and marketing manager at Thirsk Racecourse, the thrill of a lifetime when carrying her into a close second place in the Knavesmire contest in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Since then Horatio Carter has run another good race at Thirsk, finishing a close up second to Emeralds Spirit. He comes from a stable in form and tomorrow’s Eltherington Handicap looks a good opportunity for him to get his head in front.

Avec Rose is napped to make amends for her debut defeat in the British Stallion Studs Leisure Furnishings Maiden Stakes over five furlongs.

The Richard Fahey-trained filly was sent off at cramped odds on her public bow at Warwick last month but could finish only third after running green and failing to get her act together.

That experience should have taught her plenty and, although she is not ideally drawn here, Avec Rose can bounce back under Lee Topliss.

Ann Duffield’s horses are running a great deal better than they were a month or so ago and her Yorkshire Icon should go well in the Award-Winning Coachman Caravans Maiden Auction Stakes.

The juvenile has shown a reasonable level of ability in his last three starts, including on this course, and is overdue a winning turn.

Bedloe’s Island, a winner at Redcar three starts back, can return to that sort of form in the Coachman Caravans Quality Handicap.

Neville Bycroft’s gelding finished in mid-division on his latest start at York on pretty testing ground and can be forgiven that fairly subdued effort. He should not be overlooked here.

Tim Easterby’s Lady Advocate was a winner on this course two outings ago, but has since run a pretty dreadful race at Pontefract, finishing well beaten in last place. If you can forgive her that effort, she may be worth a second look back at her winning venue.

At Sandown, the £426,000 Coral-Eclipse Stakes takes pride of place. The disappointment, however, is that 2011 winner So You Think was found to be lame yesterday morning and is unable to defend his crown.

So You Think’s enforced defection opens the doors for something else to grab the Group 1 glory in this prestigious contest and it could be Farhh to take advantage.

Easy winner of the Thirsk Hunt Cup under top weight, Farhh, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, has since finished an outstanding third to So You Think in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, after failing to get a clear run. He looks sure to give a good account of himself under Frankie Dettori.

Signor Sassi, runner-up in four starts, deserves a winning turn and it could well come in the opening coral.co.uk Mobile Handicap. while Judge ‘N Jury, twice a winner at York this season, should go well in the £55,000 Coral Charge.

Ron Harris’ sprinter was narrowly denied victory in similar Group 3 company in Ireland last week and might well have won had he not hung to his left in the closing stages. He is worth another chance.

Also worthy of attention on Sandown’s classy card are John Gosden’s progressive Trade Commissioner (2.40) and the Fahey-trained Ladys First (3.10), who ran so well to finish third at Royal Ascot on her latest start.

racing selections

Beverley (tomorrow)
1.55 Yorkshire Icon, 2.30 Horatio Carter, 3.00 Avec Rose (NAP), 3.35 Bedloe’s Island, 4.10 It’s A Privilege, 4.45 Lady Advocate, 5.20 Charmel’s Delight.

Sandown (tomorrow)
1.30 Signor Sassi, 2.05 Judge ‘N Jury, 2.40 Trade Commissioner, 3.10 Ladys First, 3.45 Farhh, 4.20 Mount Athos, 4.55 Fortieth And Fifth.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Carlisle, Haydock and Nottingham. The meeting at Leicester was abandoned.

Today’s meetings: Beverley, Doncaster, Haydock, Sandown and Warwick.