Paul Hanagan: Class Is Class will not mind the softer going at Knavesmire

The quality of runners at York will be excellent as always and it will be a tough task to add to my tally.

I would say that the best chance from my quartet of horses this evening would be Crimson Cloud in the finale at 8.30pm – the Welcome To Yorkshire Action Packed Outdoors Handicap.

She is not the most straightforward filly and is very keen in her races. However, if things fall right for her she could add to her sole career victory to date.

Tomorrow afternoon, I am really looking forward to the big race at York, the £100,000 Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes, which I went very close to winning in 2009.

Trainer Sir Michael Stoute has booked me to ride Class Is Class, one of two runners from his Newmarket stables in the race.

I think my mount will have a very good chance indeed. Earlier this month, he won well by four lengths in a listed race at Sandown Park under Ryan Moore. He is in good form and will not mind the expected softer going conditions at all.

There are seven horses in the one and a quarter mile race, and I think Sir Michael’s other runner Eleanora Duse – ridden by Silvestre De Sousa who is chasing me hard in the jockeys’ championship – could be a threat.

It is a classy field worthy of the big prize on offer from the racecourse.

Irish Heartbeat is my mount in the Sky Bet Dash. In all honesty, he has been a disappointment this season.

He is one of the hardest workers at home, and he would walk this race if only he could reproduce that talent on the racecourse.

Were there a horse that might create a little bit of a surprise tomorrow, it could be Knavesmire regular Antigua Sunrise in the Sky Bet Mobile EBF Bertolini Fillies’ Handicap at 2.30pm.

She won at York last summer, but has not prospered this season. She will like the soft ground and is running off a handy handicap mark now. Her form might not be great, but she could run well.

In the opening Sky Bet Mobile for iPhone Nursery, my ride is One Kool Dude who holds an entry for the DBS Premier Yearling Stakes at next month’s Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival. He is nought from seven career runs, but I feel he has been unlucky in some of those races, and he has his share of places. Tomorrow’s is a hot race though.

Elsewhere on Saturday, it is a big day at Ascot with the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. On the same card, trainer Richard Fahey sends Castles In The Air south for the seven-furlong international heritage handicap.

He won the race last year under my weighing room colleague Richard Hughes and, although he has not visited the winner’s enclosure since then, I think he might return to form and run a decent race at a big price.

Before I head for York this evening, I am riding at Thirsk. If I were to pick the best prospect of my half dozen rides, it would be in the penultimate race at 4.55pm.

I won on Needy McCredie earlier in the season at Carlisle Racecourse. She has won subsequently, and I think she can take advantage this afternoon in the fillies’ handicap.

I will be getting into my car quickly to get to Knavesmire from Thirsk later today because a big attendance is expected for the first half of York’s Music Showcase Weekend. Same advice goes for tomorrow too – there are tickets available for both these fantastic occasions but do give yourself extra time to reach the racecourse because of the additional traffic anticipated.

There will be evening racing and live music on Knavesmire later today with Blondie performing. Tomorrow, Scouting for Girls are on stage after the meeting that features the Group 2 £100,000 Sky Bet York Stakes. Tonight is the only evening racing of the year at York Racecourse. On-the-day admission tonight and tomorrow is from £8 to £34, with discounts for groups of six or more that are booked in advance. Further details can be found on www.yorkracecourse.co.uk or by calling 01904 620911.