Can Mark Johnston celebrate turning 60 with a victory today?

Mark Johnston has reached plenty of milestones in his career, and today represents a personal landmark as the trainer turns 60.

Already the most prolific trainer in British racing history, Johnston has already had a lot to celebrate this year.

In July he broke his own record for winners in a month with 50 victories, and the yard has comfortably surpassed the 200-winner barrier for the year again.

Birthday runners

Perfect Empire, Rulers Kingdom
6.45 Southwell

The Fibresand of Southwell is a perennial happy hunting ground for Johnston runners, with the trainer boasting a decent 20 per cent strike-rate at the track (228 winners from 1130 runners). His strike-rate with juveniles at Southwell is 14 per cent (34 from 238).

Of the duo, Perfect Empire showed more on debut when fourth at Ayr, while Rulers Kingdom is bred to prove a lot better than his opening effort at Redcar.

It would not be a surprise if either improve plenty and provide a birthday victory.

Masham Star
7.00 Kempton

A tenacious character, much like his trainer, Masham Star is without a victory this year. But it is not for the want of trying, with the admirable five-year-old having his 15th start of 2019 this evening.

Having had a busy start to the year, Masham Star has not been seen since July and has had a wind op in the interim. If the surgery has a positive effect, Masham Star could be well treated.

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