Fahey fields four in a bid to land sprint feature for the second time

3.35 YorkPavers Foundation Catherine Memorial Sprint Handicap | 6f | 3yo | ITV4/RUK

Even by his own mob-handed standards Richard Fahey is usually not numerically strong in this £100,000 contest but breaks the rules this year by saddling four runners headed by Gabrial The Saint.

In recent times Fahey has usually done better with fewer numbers, most notably when landing this race with his sole entry Mr Lupton two years ago.

The fact four bullets are fired this time suggests there is not much between Paul Hanagan's mount and the other three.

Fahey said: "Gabrial The Saint is progressing really well and you can’t knock his last two wins at Chester and Leicester. The handicapper had his say and put him up 11lb for the second of those but he’d have won with that much more there and hopefully he can still be competitive."

Mr Lupton was the last horse to defy top weight in this, something Bengali Boys is out to repeat. Fahey added: "We’re still in twilight land with Bengali Boys, he isn’t good enough for Pattern races and will find it tough from a mark of 101 in races like this. We’ll give it a shot though."

As for his other pair, Fahey went on: "We’re trying to find the key to Great Prospector who has been disappointing. We’re coming back to basics here, running over six, and that will tell us which way we need to go in the future. Zap wears blinkers for the first time. He ran really well when touched off by Clubbable here two starts ago and it’s just a question of whether he’s quick enough for this. Hopefully the headgear will help."

Easterby always thereabouts

Tim Easterby is always worth looking at in this having won it three times in the last five years with Body And Soul (2013), See The Sun (2014) and Golden Apollo last year.

The Yorkshireman loves nothing more than a winner on his home track and fields a fancied pair in Angels and Staxton.

Staxton recording a shock 50-1 victory at Haydock last yearCredit: Grossick Racing

Angels just creeps into this at the bottom of the handicap off 8st 5lb and is expected to bounce back from her disappointing effort at Carlisle last time where she was too keen.

Stablemate Staxton takes a drop in class in and trip after his comeback fourth in the Listed Free Handicap at Newmarket in April.

Low numbers – unless it rains

Stall numbers one, two and seven housed the winner of this over the past three years and of the most fancied this year, Encrypted in stall five, could be well placed.

Hugo Palmer's hope was running for the first time since a gelding operation when a decent fifth in a Newmarket handicap last time and has worked well since.

Palmer said: "He was drawn away from the main action that day so did well to finish fifth. He's worked well at home with his 100-rated stablemate and we think he goes there with a decent chance. Any rain would be a problem though as he wants it good or quicker."

What they say

Clive Cox, trainer of Snazzy Jazzy
She was a big earner for us last year and ran really well on her comeback the other day. She's been in really good form since and if they get some rain she'll enjoy it.

John Gallagher, trainer of Green Power
He ran well over five last time and this step up in trip will help. He's drawn well in stall two and any rain would help his cause.

Kevin Ryan, trainer of Savalas, Commander Han and Queen's Sargent
Savalas has been ultra competitive this year and goes there in great form. Commander Cole is dropping back in trip but is not short of speed and would enjoy a drop of rain, as would Queen's Sargent.

Andrew Balding, trainer of Foxtrot Lady
She's better suited by six furlongs than shorter and this looks the right race for her. It's a tough ask up in class but she's in good shape, although any rain would be against her.

John Gosden,trainer of Jawwaal
He's always looked as if he has the speed for this kind of trip and we'll roll the dice as there is some great prize-money on offer.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, owner of Beshaayir
She's in good shape and William Haggas's horses are flying at the moment. Hopefully her draw pans out well but she wouldn't want a lot of rain.

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