Balding’s charge can turn the tables

Majestic Myles got the better of Desert Law when they met at Newmarket two weeks ago, but Andrew Balding’s runners usually come on for their first runs of the season and he can exact his revenge at York’s charity meeting today.

The Oasis Dream colt has always been considered a top prospect, though he found the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes too much, too soon on only his second career start last year.

A return to Pattern company will surely be on the cards at some point this season and he can take this valuable prize en route.

Though those who backed him ante-post for the Derby were left empty-handed, Sea Moon looked to have a touch of class when scoring at Yarmouth last term and could strike on his return in the Give Generously To Macmillan Handicap.

Sir Michael Stoute’s charge has reportedly taken a while to come to himself this season but connections are unlikely to take too many risks with the well-touted half-brother to St Leger hero Brian Boru.

A mark of 92 may prove well below what he can produce and he is taken to shine.

Jamie Spencer has a cracking record when riding for Paul Green and they bid to enhance that 43 per cent strike-rate with Feeling Fresh in the Charles Henry Memorial Stakes.

Versatile regarding ground, the Xaar entire was very impressive when bolting up over this trip at Carlisle last month.

The third and the fourth that day have both gone on to notch victories, so the form looks rock solid and a 6lb rise for what was an impressive success looks almost on the lenient side.

The Easterby family dominated proceedings at York yesterday when veteran trainer Mick and his nephew Tim both enjoyed doubles at their local track.

Mick Easterby, whose base is at Sheriff Hutton, missed his first meeting at the Knavesmire for many years due to ill-health, but had the best possible pick-me-up in the shape of winners Barren Brook and Nameitwhatyoulike.

Laid low with an ear infection, he would have been cheered by the 96-1 plus double which took his tally for the season at York alone to five.

Barren Brook, gambled down to 11-2 favourite, landed a smooth success by three-and-a-quarter lengths from Negotiation in the William Birch & Sons Ltd Stakes.

Nameitwhatyoulike (14-1) completed that trainer’s and jockey Paul Mulrennan’s brace in the SKF Rous Selling Stakes.

Great Habton-based Tim Easterby made it a day to remember with a 337-1 duo courtesy of Bollin Judith and Medici Time.

Dorback was noted finishing to good effect when sixth at Newbury on his seasonal reappearance, and though he will need the gaps at the right time, he is taken to have the class to land the Josh Walker Happy 18th Birthday Handicap at Doncaster tomorrow.

Ferruccio made a decent fist of things at Nottingham last time and could prove a danger to all in the Yorkshire Racing Festival 16th-24th July Classified Stakes.