Local favourite Borderlescott back on familiar territory

The nine-year-old returns to York, the scene of his emotional triumph in the Nunthorpe Stakes at the 2009 Ebor festival.

That triumph, the highlight of Wetherby trainer Robin Bastiman’s career, came a year after the horse won the Nunthorpe when it was staged at Newmarket because Knavesmire was waterlogged.

Having won just once since the 2009 Nunthorpe, Borderlescott retains his old zest and was a creditable fourth in the Temple Stakes at Haydock on his last outing,

He momentarily lost his sight that day after the blind used on German runner Overdose blew into his face, but Borderlescott was still only two lengths adrift.

“He had that mishap at Haydock when the German jockey (Andreas Suborics) threw the blind at him and then he had a little bit of an injury to his hind leg,” said Bastiman.

“He did a piece of work the other day and I was pleased with him so he runs in the City Walls at York.

“He’s back on form and the Nunthorpe is coming up.

“He still has the heart and the engine to do it.

“He loves York and has only been beaten once there.”

n NORTHUMBERLAND plate winner Tominator is one of 102 entries for the totesport Ebor at York on August 20.

Trained by veteran Reg Hollinshead, the four-year-old quickened up in fine style in the Pitmen’s Derby to beat Montaff by a length- and-three-quarters for Yorkshire jockey Paul Pickard.

A run in the John Smith’s Silver Cup on Knavesmire this weekend is now in the offing over the same course and distance of the Ebor, although Andrew Hollinshead, the trainer’s son and assistant, is not expecting the race to be run to suit on Saturday.

“He’s very well. We were chuffed to bits with him at Newcastle. Every yard needs a flag-bearer and he’s ours,” said Hollinshead Jnr.

“The plan is the Ebor and I think it’s for the best if he has a run in between as we think he’s got another big pot in him.

“In the Ebor you are guaranteed a fast pace and a big field. He’s in at York on Saturday and while he’ll run, it won’t have as big a field so they won’t go as quick, which won’t suit him.

“If we didn’t run on Saturday it’s too long to wait.”

Other notable entries include Blue Bajan, who was a disappointing Ascot Gold Cup runner for in-form David O’Meara.

n CENSUS puts his St Leger credentials on the line in today’s Bahrain Trophy on the first day of Newmarket’s July meeting.

Richard Hannon’s colt won a Newbury handicap with ease on his first start of the season and was only beaten off a 9lb higher mark by footballer Michael Owen’s Brown Panther in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot.

With regular jockey Richard Hughes suspended, Ryan Moore will take the ride on the Highclere Thoroughbred-owned three-year-old.

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