Alston hopes Doctor can thrive at York

The progressive five-year-old gelding has already chalked up wins at Redcar and Chester this spring and his form was given a timely boost last Sunday.

He beat Captain Dunne on the Roodee, and that one then went within a whisker of landing the Group Three Prix de Saint-Georges at Chantilly.

“He’s in super form this year. I think he’s just come of age. He’s five now and has strengthened up,” said Alston.

“He’s in great order but it’s one of those sprint handicaps where you could fancy them all. He’s got as good a chance as any of them I would hope. I’m just very hopeful in what is a wide-open sprint.”

Humidor’s performance should give George Baker a good idea of which races to target for the rest of the season.

The four-year-old has delighted Baker since his move from Roger Charlton’s stable and won in good style at Goodwood recently.

“I was very pleased with him at Goodwood. I thought he did it very well,” said the trainer.

“He’s an improving horse. He came to us on a mark of 77 back in the autumn and he’s now up to 93 and I’m more than hopeful he can still be competitive at this level. If he is, then this will tell us if he can go for some of the big sprint handicaps through the summer.”

Mon Brav is another sprinter who is on the crest of a wave, with wins at Thirsk and Musselburgh to his credit on his last two starts.

North Yorkshire handler Brian Ellison accepts this is a step up but one that is worth taking.

“We thought we might as well take our chance in a big race like this for him,” said Ellison. “He’s done it well the last twice and he’s in good form.”

Stablemate Palomar is returning from a break following a winter spent hurdling but is reported to be in fine shape ahead of the Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup.

“He’s had a break and he’s well so we’re hoping he can pick up a bit of prize money,” Ellison admitted.

n Bryan Smart will be keeping a close eye on Haydock, as Tangerine Trees takes a step up in grade for the betfred.com Temple Stakes, having cut out all the running in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket on his first start of the year.

North Yorkshire-based Smart has been thrilled with how his charge has progressed from handicaps, but is under no illusions about the task in hand.

“He’s done very well and he’s been an exceptionally good horse to us,” said the handler. “It’s a big jump in class – it’s a Group One race in all but name, but I’m very happy with the horse.

“He’s a horse we’ve tried to step up quietly and he’s stepped up well. He’s a very decent horse on his day.

“With these sprinters they can have an off day and be disappointing and then come out three weeks later and win again. That’s sprinting.

“They always improve for their first run of the year and I’m hoping he has too.”