Tim Easterby runs three in tricky sprint as he aims to build on outstanding 2018

2.25 York
Infinity Tyres Handicap | 6f | 4yo | ITV4/RTV

Whenever a trainer has a good season there might be a danger the horses have handicapped themselves out of things for the following campaign.

Tim Easterby did not just have a good year in 2018, he had a great one, emerging with the most winners and prize-money since taking over the licence from his legendary father Peter.

He would love nothing better than to win York's second race of 2019 and fields Staxton, Flying Pursuit and Golden Apollo.

Easterby, who was successful in this sprint with See The Sun in 2016, said: "Staxton did really well taking on the older horses last year. He ran a blinder first time out this season and has improved for being gelded. He's handled any ground bar heavy – although that may have been because he was still weak.

"Flying Pursuit is a cracking horse who likes it soft. He's in good order but takes a while to come to himself. He ran some really good races last year, winning on his side when third in the Ayr Gold Cup.

"Golden Apollo struggled to get home over seven furlongs on soft ground at Haydock last time but he ran a good race. He's trained on well and I think he likes better ground."

Visitors not welcome
Secret Witness, saddled by Ron Harris in 2012, is the only non-Yorkshire-trained winner of this race in the last ten years

Candy looking for Moore

Ryan Moore does not ride for Henry Candy often, but they have been a force to be reckoned with, teaming up to win the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2016 with Twilight Son.

That was one of eight winners the brilliant Moore has had from just 25 rides for the trainer, who calls on his services for the capable Vibrant Chords.

A solid second under Moore at Kempton last time, he runs in the same Paul Jacobs silks as stablemate Limato, who contests the Duke of York Stakes (3.00) on the card.

Hills spies Spoof success

York is now a no-go for Charlie Hills's star sprinter Battaash after two Nunthorpe reverses, but stablemate Spoof performed with credit on his only start at the track, outrunning his odds of 50-1 to finish a respectable two-length fifth in a 5½f handicap at the Ebor meeting.

"He's a lovely little horse who just got a bit tired in the soft going at Newbury on his seasonal debut over five furlongs," said Hills.

"He missed Chester because the ground went against him. The Wokingham is a likely target."

What they say

David O'Meara, trainer of Intisaab, Gulliver and Arecibo
Intisaab ran a lovely race at Ripon after some disappointments in Dubai. He's a lot happier in himself and will enjoy the ground quickening up. Arecibo came from France and made his debut for us in the same race at Ripon, where he was slightly disappointing. We're still getting to know him and have replaced the blinkers with cheekpieces and hopefully he'll run a better race. We've freshened up Gulliver after a good all-weather campaign and he's been working well and won't mind the ground.

Ruth Carr, trainer of Reputation
He was brilliant first time up for us at Ripon last month, but has gone up 8lb, so he's going to have to step up. He's come out of the race fine and didn't have a hard race – he enjoyed himself. He won at York as a two-year-old, so hopefully he can step up again, but he'll need to.

Geoff Harker, trainer of Wentworth Falls
He ran a blinder recently at Doncaster when he just got tightened up about a furlong out, which stopped his run. He's been a bit unlucky, but hopefully can pick up a big one somewhere. I'd have thought on that Doncaster run he should go close. He seems to have come out of that well and the ground should suit.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Aljady and Great Prospector
Aljady is in great form and we're looking forward to running him. Great Prospector is dropping back in trip but it is a typical York sprint that looks very competitive. I would like a bit of rain there. I hope it doesn't dry out too much otherwise Great Prospector probably won't run.

Ed Walker, trainer of Desert Doctor
He's in great form, but I'm hoping he can replicate his all-weather form on the grass, which has not quite been the same standard. He's kind of always had excuses on grass, but York is an uncomplicated track and he's fit and well. No doubt he'll run his race, and if he runs to his all-weather form he'll run a massive race. He wants good ground.

Kevin Ryan, trainer of Savalas
We were a bit disappointed with him over five at Musselburgh the last day, so we'll go back over six furlongs here. He's won here previously and he's in good form.

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