Paul Mulrennan - A Jockey’s Diary: Back in saddle and aiming to sign off with success at York

Today and tomorrow comprise the final racing of the year on Knavesmire and I’d love to get a share of the record £260,000-plus in prize-money that’s up for grabs.

I’m also well on schedule for my best season in the saddle to date, with 66 in the bag.

My top year was 2007 when I had 73 winners.

I am aiming not only to surpass that but also to keep riding at the all-weather tracks after the turf season finishes early next month.

My target is to get to 100 winners by New Year’s Eve, so I’m going to know every shortcut to Wolverhampton and Southwell like the back of my hand!

I imagine I’ll also be shooting down to Kempton Park and Lingfield Park, too.

But first, in my final column of the year, I will focus on the turf action and back at York tomorrow, I like the look of my three rides.

First up is Ancient Cross in the opening Bet On Your Mobile With Coral Stakes Handicap at 2.05pm.

He is owned by my own sponsor BackUp Technology so I am hoping for a big run.

He ran well to be fifth in the Portland Handicap during the St Leger meeting at Doncaster in the middle of last month.

The form of that race has stood up excellently with both the winner and the runner-up subsequently coming out again and scoring.

The softer racing conditions will suit Ancient Cross and he has won at York before – in May last year.

He’s drawn towards the stand rails which could turn out to be a good thing. York is a fair track so, if he runs to his best, he would have a chance.

I’m really looking forward to teaming up again with Mass Rally in the feature Coral Sprint Handicap at 3.45pm.

Trainer Michael Dods’s five-year-old was last seen out when winning the Ayr Silver Cup which was his first win away from all-weather tracks. He was a narrow second during the Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival, one of a number of placed runs for him.

Now that he has got his head in front in a race on turf, I hope he gives a repeat performance tomorrow.

I think Mass Rally is a very good horse and justifies his position in this very competitive York handicap, worth £75,000. It would be a popular win at home!

My final ride on Knavesmire for the season is in the final race of the year aboard Shamdarley in the Coldstream Guards Association Cup, a handicap race supported by Mulberry Hall at 5.30pm.

Michael Dods’s four-year-old won the corresponding 10 furlong event 12 months ago for my Weighing Room colleague Phillip Makin.

Oddly enough, he hasn’t won since then, but the trainer’s horses continue to be in good form and he’s now back off a winning mark in the weights.

It would certainly be great to round off the meeting with a victory.

After that, it just leaves the Band of the Coldstream Guards playing Auld Lang Syne in the Parade Ring and York’s season will be concluded.

I hope readers have enjoyed my thoughts and observations about my rides since I started writing this racing column at the start of the York Racecourse season in May.

It has certainly been a good one both for myself and racing in general.

Frankel, winning the Juddmonte International during the Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival, is a major highlight for the sport and, hopefully, he will go out in a blaze of glory on QIPCO British Champions Day next weekend at Ascot, securing his 14th victory in his unbeaten career.

The final two days of the Flat racing season at York Racecourse are today and tomorrow.

Saturday’s races include the Listed Coral Rockingham Stakes and the Coral Sprint Trophy.

New for 2012 is Countryside Raceday today with a showcase of rural activity and products.

Admission today is £5, £13 or £24; tomorrow it’s £6, £17 or £28.

Group discounts are available booked in advance. Accompanied under-16s are admitted free of charge to all areas.

More information and advance bookings at www.yorkracecourse.co.uk or by calling the racecourse on 01904 620911.