Danger Bay in 'best shape' as trainer Ed Bethell hopes to go one better in John Smith’s Cup at York

Bethell was denied last year when See The Storm finished second to Andrew Balding’s Fox Legacy, but says the famous handicap was always the target for Danny Tudhope’s mount this season.

Danger Bay won by two-and-a-half-lengths on his seasonal reappearance at Redcar in May – his third victory in six career starts – but has not run since.

He will line up for the 67th running of the Knavesmire feature – one of the longest running sports sponsorships in the world – eight pounds higher for his recent success.

Speaking ahead of the ten-furlong heritage handicap, Middleham-based Bethell said: “Firstly, the John Smith’s Cup is a seriously difficult handicap to win and I’d rather be running in it off 94 than 102! But he’s progressive, a lovely horse and I’m looking forward to running him.

“It’s a race I’ve always wanted to try and win. I’m under no illusions that it’s going to be a very difficult race to win. I went close in it last year with See That Storm and I’m hoping I’ll go a bit closer this year.

“We need everything to fall right on the day for us; we need a good draw, we need a bit of luck.

“But he looked fantastic this morning in a piece of work. And he looked fantastic when I looked at him last night. Physically, I don’t think I can have him in any better shape, hopefully.”

With over £103,000 on offer for the winner, Bethell admitted: “It’s always been the plan.

"I always thought if I had a horse for the John Smith’s Cup this year, it was him. Hopefully the plan can come off.”

The bookmakers rate Danger Bay the best of the six Yorkshire runners, with Leyburn trainer Karl Burke’s Thunder Run – who finished a length second to the King and Queen’s Warrant Holder over the same distance at the Dante meeting.

Shane Gray takes the ride with Clifford Lee at Newmarket to ride Venetian Sun in the Group 1 July Cup.

Malton’s Richard and Peter Fahey have three entries in the shape of Castle Stuart, Have Secret and Rainbow Nebula, while Tim Easterby has Per Contra.

John and Thady Gosden will be hoping Warrant Holder and Rab Havlin can back up his previous win on the Knavesmire and he is vying for favouritism with William Haggas’ Yabher and Raammeeh for Roger Varian, with Danger Bay next with 22 set to go to post.

Two other key races are the Group 3 John Smith’s Silver Cup (4.55) which has benefited from £15,000 increase in prize money this season.

The staying contest runs just shy of a mile and six furlongs has Upper Helmsley trainer David O’Meara’s Epic Poet and Danny Tudhope representing the county, with six due to run headed by Balding’s Mount Atlas and Tom Clover’s Table Talk.

Azure Angel is another Bethell-trained speedster and she’s on course for John Smith’s City Walls Stakes, a Listed five-furlong contest.

The six-year-old mare was only beaten three and a quarter lengths when finishing 12th of 26 in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.

Bethell said: “She did nothing wrong at Ascot and hopefully things can set up her way at York. It will suit her. Flat, fast ground, fast track – that’s her optimum conditions. She carries a penalty but I’m looking forward to getting her going again.”

Kevin Ryan’s Washington Heights, Clive Cox’s Redorange and John and Sean Quinn’s popular Jm Jungle are among the other principals, while Katie Scott’s Naana’s Shadow is bidding for a hat-trick of wins – having triumphed when last seen at York at the end of June.

With a bumper crowd expected and the warm weather forecast, York have again relaxed their dress restrictions with no jackets required in the County Stand and Hospitality areas. The main stands have air conditioning and free drinking water and sun cream also available.