Turf Topics - Daniel Tudhope: Saddling up for the big charity day on Knavesmire

Doncaster bid: Watchable and Daniel Tudhope join forces again. Picture: Sportsfile/Corbis via Getty Images

The David O’Meara yard will have a strong team of runners heading for the five days of the Royal Meeting, starting on Tuesday.

Out Do gave me a memorable winner in Berkshire 12 months ago and so I hope to enjoy more success next week.

I take five rides at York this afternoon, aiming to earn a share of over £300,000 in prize-money for my owners.

Though the more important number tomorrow is how much will be raised for charity; just by going racing, you’d add to the already £7.5m raised since 1971.

The pick of my quintet is probably Waarif in the Ice Co Supporting Macmillan Handicap at 4.05pm.

He has yet to win in Britain, his sole success having come on the all-weather surface at Dundalk before he moved to David’s yard from Kevin Prendergast.

He has knocked on the door three times at other Yorkshire tracks and I fancy him to run a big race.

Earlier, Salateen, in the JCB Handicap at 2.25pm, and Duke Of Bronte, in the Listed Sky Bet Grand Cup Stakes, would have a sneaky chance.

The latter is certainly an interesting runner, having travelled almost 300 miles from Rod Millman’s West Country yard.

Short Work is my final outing of the afternoon in the Jill Willows Handicap at 5.15pm. He’s coming back to form after an encouraging run at Hamilton earlier this month, but could maybe do with more cut in the ground.

It is not all about professional jockeys today at York. The first race is The Queen Mother’s Cup for lady amateur riders, while the afternoon rounds off with the Best Western Hotels & Macmillan Ride of their Lives, also for amateurs, including Love Island star Chris Hughes.

The participants in that finale have received advice on riding the track from former champion jockey Kevin Darley.

They couldn’t get guidance from a better man as Kevin rode the course over 1,000 times during his long career in the saddle.

Good luck to all the riders as they go about having fun and raising funds for a most worthy cause.

Tomorrow, I visit Doncaster where old favourite Watchable, who got wiped out at Epsom on his last run but who won at Town Moor last month, could have a decent chance in the 3.40pm handicap.

It is all about Royal Ascot next week and I have chosen to stay with Suedois in the Group One Queen Anne Stakes, part of the QIPCO British Champions Series, on the opening day.

He will definitely come on for his run in Newbury’s Lockinge, in which he finished mid-division, as he aims for a first victory on these shores, having triumphed in both Ireland and the United States.

Lincoln Rocks, a winner at the Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival last summer, is scheduled to go for the Group Two Duke Of Cambridge Stakes on Wednesday.

I fully expect her to bounce back from a disappointing run at Epsom on Investec Derby day.

Thank you for supporting Macmillan and the other good causes. Today is the Macmillan Charity Raceday at York. Tickets are available on the gate. Accompanied children admitted free of charge. Find out more at www.yorkracecourse.co.uk.