Johnston eyes Epic at Doncaster

The Middleham handler took the wraps off Chilly Filly at Pontefract only last Friday, but she showed no real signs of ring-rustiness after 15 months on the sidelines when chasing home Umverti over this mile-and-a-half trip and the run is bound to have brought her on significantly.

Her stablemate Epic perhaps has more on his plate in the preceding Atteys Solicitors Handicap, although the handicapper is beginning to loosen his grip, and at his best, he will give Amy Weaver's recent Ayr winner Grams And Ounces plenty to think about.

Richard Fahey is without the assistance of title-chasing Paul Hanagan for the evening but calls upon Tony Hamilton to do the steering on Keepmoat "Delivering Community Regeneration" Handicap contender Coin From Heaven, as well as Sioux Rising, who returns from almost a year on the sidelines in the Sky Bet Supporting The Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival Fillies' Handicap.

The racecourse on Town Moor will have a new man in charge after Mark Spincer was appointed the new managing director to replace Adam Waterworth.

Spincer joins from Newcastle racecourse, while Waterworth has moved to Goodwood.

He said: "Doncaster Racecourse has an outstanding reputation as a sporting, leisure and corporate venue.

"I am thrilled to be joining such a thriving and prestigious business at this exciting time and look forward to continuing and building on its many achievements."

Doncaster is already gearing up for the Ladbrokes St Leger meeting and dual Oaks winner Snow Fairy heads 42 entries for the final Classic of the season on September 11.

Another Classic winner with the option is Aidan O'Brien's Cape Blanco – the Irish Derby winner is due to run in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes this weekend.

O'Brien has also entered the forgotten horse of the season, St Nicholas Abbey, although the sponsors have not quoted him in their betting.

The Johnston pair of Monterosso and Corsica could also feature in the big race.

Meanwhile, Michael Bell is looking forward to saddling last year's St Leger third Monitor Closely for the first time in Saturday's Sky Bet York Stakes.

Trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam in his younger days, the four-year-old joined Bell after finishing third at Doncaster.

The Oasis Dream colt ran in the corresponding race 12 months ago when he finished fifth to Kirklees and he subsequently landed the Great Voltigeur back on the Knavesmire.

Having not run for over 300 days, Bell is keen to stress that he will improve on whatever he does but still expects a decent performance.

"We are looking forward to running him, he's in good form," said Bell.

"Almost certainly he will improve for the run but he's had a really good run into the race.

"We've been targeting this race for a while as obviously he has proved effective at the track in the past, but it is going to be a tall order for him to win first time out.

"It is hard to get those big four-year-olds right on their game first time out, but he has done a lot of work and he's in really good condition.

"It's no secret he's had problems with his knee. He's been doing three good canters a day and his knee is the best it's been since we've had him, he's taken all the work we've thrown at him.

"It's a strange situation because he likes fast ground but has issues with his knees so they don't really go hand in hand.

"He ran well in the Leger but I think this trip (10 furlongs) will suit him.

"The owner offered Jimmy (Fortune) the ride after he won the Voltigeur on him and as it turns out we are delighted to have him as our stable jockeys are otherwise engaged."

Officials on the Knavesmire are preparing for their Music Showcase weekend and have warned racegoers to book their tickets before Saturday.

Due to a record level of advance sales, there will be no County Stand badges available on the day. The X Factor finalists will be providing the entertainment once racing has finished, with Madness the star turn following Friday's evening action.