Key questions and trainers' views for the Two-Year-Old Trophy

3.20 Redcar
totepool Two-Year-Old Trophy (Listed) | 6f, 2yo | ITV4/RUK

What type of race is it?

A 6f race for two-year-olds whose sire had at least one yearling sold at the main Flat-bred and mixed public auction sales held in Europe or North America during 2016. The weight carried by each horse is determined by the median price at which the sire’s yearlings sold.

Who are the trainers to note?

Tim Easterby, who saddles Silver Starlight – a winner at Ripon and Thirsk during the summer – has the best record, winning it four times courtesy of Pipalong (1998), Somnus (2002), Body And Soul (2012) and Ventura Mist (2013). Richard Fahey boasts more than a third of the field with eight runners as he bids to win the £175,000 event for a first time.

Have any stars won it?

Limato won it three years ago for Henry Candy and Graham Lee. The son of Tagula looked a future star that day when cruising home by a length and a half from Mattmu, and confirmed that impression by going on to win four Group events, including two Group 1s, the July Cup at Newmarket and Prix de la Foret at Chantilly last year. Pipalong also progressed into a top-class sprinter, landing Haydock’s Group 1 Sprint Cup in 2000.

Limato: won this race three years agoCredit: Edward Whitaker

Is there likely to be any draw advantage?

There has been a fair spread of winners drawn high and low over the last ten years, with four having raced from a single-figure draw and six coming from a double-digit box. More importantly, there doesn’t appear to have been any considerable bias in sprints at Redcar this season, with winners coming up the far side, near to the stands’ rail, and down the middle. As always in events of this nature, being drawn where the best pace is often proves an advantage.

Which horses are of major interest?

Darkanna, who contested the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes last Saturday, finishing fifth of 11 to Clemmie – favourite for next year’s 1,000 Guineas – stands out on that form. John Kirkup, successful on three of his seven starts, may not be able to match those form credentials, but he does boast a generally progressive profile and could prove the right type for this race.

What they say

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Never Back Down
He was an exciting horse in the spring but then met with a setback. It's been frustrating to say the least to see the horses he was racing against – such as Sound And Silence – go on to have such good seasons while he has been sidelined. His form has certainly held up. Obviously he has been off for a long time and we felt the Middle Park was too much of an ask for him. He’s in really good form and I’ve been happy with his work. He should handle some ease in the ground and I'm hopeful.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Regulator, Simmy’s Copshop, Darkanna, Jedi Master, Maybride, Requinto Dawn, Inviolable Spirit and Crownthorpe
Darkanna is probably the pick, particularly on ratings, and she must have a big chance. She ran very well in the Cheveley Park and comes here with a rating of 104. As long as she’s over the Newmarket race – and we’re coming back quickly – she’ll run well. Regulator has a bit to find on official ratings. He disappointed at Ripon last time, but it got quite tight for him near the stands’ rail. Simmy’s Copshop is honest and genuine. If he finished in the first three I’d be delighted. Seven furlongs is probably Jedi Master’s trip, but it’s a big pot. It would be great if he could pick up some prize-money. Maybride is a filly we like. I was disappointed she didn’t get her head in front the other day at Haydock, but she seems to have come out of it well. We ran her at Royal Ascot and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her go well. Requinto Dawn tries hard, while Inviolable Spirit is another with plenty of ability. It’s just a question of whether Crownthorpe is going to be quick enough for this. He has no weight on his back and any rain to slow the race down would be very much in his favour. He’s tough.

Michael Dods, trainer of John Kirkup and Rumshak
John Kirkup has had a good season. He likes cut in the ground, and we felt he deserved to take his chance in a race like this. Rumshak disappointed at Beverley last time – he just seemed to run a bit flat. He's probably more of a five-furlong horse but is in good form. It’s a very competitive race.

Michael Bell, trainer of Flying Sparkle
She looks to be drawn on the right side – based on my reading of the race. She's fresh and well and, while she has a bit to find on ratings, I hope she'll be involved at the business end.

Read exclusive previews of Saturday's action from 6pm on Friday night on racingpost.com