Middleton upgrade boost for York

Run over an extended 10 furlongs for fillies and mares aged four and over, the Middleton will carry prize-money of 100,000 and becomes the 17th race on York's 2010 schedule to carry a six-figure pot.

It is one of only two races to have been upgraded to Group Two by the British Horseracing Authority for this season.

The three-day Festival opens on Wednesday, May 12 and the Middleton Stakes will be run on the same day as the flagship Totesport.com Dante Stakes, which is widely regarded as the most informative Derby trial.

William Derby, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course said: "The team at York are delighted that the Totepool Middleton has been upgraded. York is committed to improving the quality of its racing and it becomes the fourth Group Two of a fantastic week.

"This is a fitting recognition for the quality horses that have run in the race in the past and for the ongoing support of Totesport."

The race attracts the best of the older fillies, such as subsequent Darley Yorkshire Oaks winner Dar Re Mi, who shared a thrilling finish with the 2009 victor Crystal Capella, trained by Sir Michael Stoute.

The 2010 renewal has already been identified as a likely first race as a four-year-old for Sariska, the English and Irish Oaks champion.

Her trainer Michael Bell said: "This could be the ideal race ahead of what we hope will be another big season for her, and the significant increase in prize money is most welcome."

Venetia Williams has raised the possibility of Mon Mome running in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup ahead of the defence of his John Smith's Grand National crown on April 10.

The shock 100-1 winner of last year's Aintree highlight will have his third outing of the campaign in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock this weekend, after which the blue riband is a possibility.

Williams said: "I was going to run him in the Welsh National but didn't as I felt the ground was still frosted.

"The Classic Chase was then called off at Warwick so the weather has disrupted his schedule somewhat.

"There is every chance he may join Miko De Beauchene in the Blue Square Gold Cup at Haydock next month.

"He will also have an entry in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. That isn't a target as such, but it is an option.

"I hope he runs a good race at the weekend. It looks very competitive on paper and if you look at the way the horses have run the last few days then we are a bit behind."

Peddlers Cross looks set to put his unbeaten record on the line in the Grade Two sportingbet.com Novices' Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday.

Having won an Irish point-to-point in the spring, the five-year-old made a winning debut under Rules in a bumper at the Merseyside venue in November.

He barely came off the bridle when making a winning start to his hurdling career at Bangor but trainer Donald McCain admits he has more on his plate in the race registered as the Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle.

''At the moment the plan is for Peddlers Cross to run. Alegralil is also entered but I don't really want to run her on that heavy ground,'' said McCain.

''Peddlers Cross did it well at Bangor, although obviously it was only a straight forward novice hurdle and this is a step up in class.

''Maybe I'm getting a bit carried away but any novice hurdle is going to be competitive at this time of year, Haydock is our local track and he has won there before, so it makes sense to let him take his chance.''

McCain is keen to weigh up the likely opposition before committing Ernst Blofeld to a run in the sportingbet.com Altcar Novices' Chase.

The six-year-old won twice over hurdles last season and opened his account over fences with a smooth success at Uttoxeter last month.

However, with the likes of Punchestowns and Diamond Harry in the mix for the Grade Two contest, McCain is keen not to overface his youngster at this early stage of his career.

''We'll have a look at the race and see what is going to run, but we don't really want to be taking on Punchestowns at this stage,'' said McCain.

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