Paul Hanagan: Expecting Pekan Star to pose biggest threat to Kay Gee Bee

Knavesmire hosts two cracking days of racing this afternoon and tomorrow, with the highlight, of course, being tomorrow’s £150,000 John Smith’s Cup.

I’m forsaking home soil today to ride in the Group 2 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket, but I’m back at York tomorrow for what will be ultra-competitive racing.

Looking first at trainer Richard Fahey’s runners at York this afternoon, there are some interesting possibilities.

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The feature race is the £50,000 Group 3 tyregiant.com Summer Stakes for fillies and mares at 2.35pm. We have two in a field of 10 runners – Sioux Rising and Rose Blossom. The latter, who returns to defend the crown she won a year ago, has been disappointing this season after we had such high hopes. Sioux, on the other hand, won encouragingly at Pontefract on her latest outing. She’d have to step up again to win as classy a race as a Group 3 at York, but she has shown the potential to improve. Freddie Tylicki is in the saddle.

Earlier, in the Cakemark EBF Maiden Stakes, Richard again has two runners. Ventura Spirit ran very green at York on his debut last month. I think our other runner Knight Express – again Freddie is on board – could go well following a mid-division debut at Carlisle a couple of weeks ago.

I rate the chances of Extraterrestrial in the George And Pauline Blades Golden Wedding Stakes (4.55pm). I think he’s suffered a little at the hands of the Official Handicapper, especially after his win at Thirsk two months ago.

Down at Headquarters, my main chance of a winner will probably be in the big race, the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cherry Hinton Stakes at 2.25pm. It’s a good race, but Miss Work Of Art is a good horse and deserves to be there. She is unbeaten in three starts, the latest coming at York in the Listed Langleys Solicitors EBF Shirocco Fillies’ Stakes during the Dante meeting.

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I think she’s been crying out for six furlongs, and this afternoon she gets it. The one doubt for me would be the ground if the recent rain has softened it considerably. I like her a lot, and she’s been working very well at home.

On to tomorrow, and I’m sure there will be an enormous crowd on Knavesmire for John Smith’s Cup day. It’s a tremendously popular occasion with the racing public in Yorkshire and beyond.

I’ve chosen Kay Gee Be in the big race at 3.15pm. I’m delighted with my low draw, and it gives me a decent chance. However, it’s always a very tough race, and you need a bit of luck. I can assure everyone that, even if my horse doesn’t win, he won’t be disgraced.

Richard Fahey saddles three others. Lee Topliss takes five pounds off the back of Tepmokea, but he doesn’t have the most advantageous draw. Freddie takes the ride on Pleasant Day. And there’s Demolition too. Of our quartet, I reckon I have the best chance of being in the money at the end of the 10 furlongs.

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If I had to choose the winner of the John Smith’s Cup from outside our yard, it would be Pekan Star. I thought his victory on his sole run to date this season in the Infinity Tyres Stakes during the Dante Festival at York was most impressive. He proved himself that day in a large field of runners which he’ll face again tomorrow.

Were I to pick one of my horses tomorrow with the best opportunity it would be Cracking Lass in the Listed John Smith’s Silver Cup at 2.40pm. I reckon she’ll be very suited by the increase in trip to 1m6f.

I’ll also be interested to see how Ladys First performs on her debut in the John Smith’s Median Auction Maiden Stakes at 4.25pm. She’s been showing all the right signs at home, and it’s a case of discovering if she can replicate that on the racecourse.

Enjoy York. It should be two excellent days of sport.