Wet weather sought by Fahey ahead of shorter sprint for Heaven’s Guest

The Dark Angel colt opened his account for the year with a stylish display over six furlongs at Hamilton in mid-May and took another step up the ladder when following up in a valuable seven-furlong contest at Epsom.

He comes back to the shorter distance on the Knavesmire, and his Malton-based trainer would prefer some ease in the ground for this fiercely-run affair.

“Heaven’s Guest couldn’t be in any better order, but a drop of rain would probably help him,” said Fahey. “I’m not saying he needs it soft as he’s run well on all sorts of ground, but a bit of rain would just slow them down a bit. It’s a sharp six furlongs at York and he’s coming back from seven.

“I’ve walked the track and it’s beautiful ground – as good as I’ve ever known at York – so we won’t be making any excuses.”

Heaven’s Guest is one of three runners in the £100,000 contest for the Musley Bank handler, with course-and-distance winners Polski Max and Mary’s Daughter lively outsiders.

“Polski Max is in good order and likes the track. A drop of rain wouldn’t do him any harm, either,” said Fahey. “Mary’s Daughter has won and run well at York before as well and she doesn’t mind fast ground.”

Fellow Yorkshire trainer David Barron has a major contender in the shape of Cosmic Chatter, who ran a hugely encouraging race when a close third over five furlongs at York’s Dante meeting.

Barron, who also saddles outsider Ahern, said: “Cosmic Chatter is in very good form at home and we’re looking forward to running him again. I’d rather the ground didn’t get any slower.”

Harry Dunlop expects Sir Patrick Moore to like a step back up to a mile in the Ian and Kate Hall Macmillan Ganton Stakes.

Sir Patrick Moore has been absent since finishing second to Olympic Glory in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury, run over seven furlongs.

“He seems in really good form and this race looks a nice step for him,” said Dunlop.

Ladys First, trained by Fahey, is the only filly in the field but she has a fine record on the Knavesmire, making a winning debut last year and finishing third behind French raider Dalkala in the Group Two Middleton Stakes a month ago.