GEORGE CHALONER teams up with two horses at Catterick today who will always have a place in his heart.

Royal Connoisseur provided the Malton rider with his 95th career success at Newcastle a fortnight ago which enabled Chaloner to ride out his apprentice claim and join the senior ranks.

A matter of days later, English Summer duly supplied Chaloner with his first win as a fully-fledged jockey when gaining a battling success on this course.

This afternoon, Chaloner partners English Summer in the Racing UK on Sky 432 Handicap and, half an hour later, rejoins forces with Royal Connoisseur in division one of the David Barker Memorial Handicap. Both horses have leading chances, hailing from the Richard Fahey stable, which sent out a four-timer at Doncaster on Saturday.

English Summer, owned by Dr Marwan Koukash, for whom Chaloner won the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle during the summer on Angel Gabrial, came back to winning form in claiming company here on his latest start.

He has more on his plate this time, but the gelding is tough and consistent and he looks sure to run a big race over a trip and on ground that will suit him.

Royal Connoisseur, who is part-owned by Chaloner's sponsor, Doncaster-based Steve Clayton, came good in determined style at Newcastle last time.

Things will be at least as tough for him today, but he's plainly a horse going into the closing weeks of the campaign in good heart. He should make a bold bid.

Success for Royal Connoisseur this afternoon would highlight the chances of nap selection Boris Grigoriev in the second leg of the David Barker Memorial Sprint Handicap.

Mick Easterby's gelding finished fifth, just a length and a half behind Royal Connoisseur, at Newcastle. He would not need to improve much on that performance to get his head in front today, with Graham Lee taking over for the first time on the Sheriff Hutton gelding.

Waltz Darling, who won with any amount in hand on this course three weeks ago, turns out again in division two of the Book Now For New Year's Day Handicap.

Trained by Keith Reveley, the gelding will again be partnered by apprentice Emma Sayer, who quickly formed a good association with Waltz Darling last time and won on him without having to ask him a serious question. A ratings rise of 5lb does not look prohibitive, but Waltz Darling will have to overcome the hat-trick seeking Jolie Blonde, trained by Sir Mark Prescott, and an interesting Irish raider in Dara Tango, who has not been seen out for almost two years, but who is trained by the shrewd Tony Martin.

In the David T Brown 'Lord Hovis' Handicap over seven furlongs, Fieldgunner Kirkup may prove to be the best-value each-way proposition.

David Barron's charge has slipped to a reasonable mark in the handicap and, significantly, will relish the softish ground. He is closely matched with Comino on previous form this season at Thirsk and, although his rival comes into this contest after winning three of his last four races, Fieldgunner Kirkup does not have quite so obvious claims. That said, he is capable of bouncing back on this going. Graham Gibbons has the mount.

Wolverhampton's twilight meeting offers Ring Of Fire (7.10) the opportunity to make a winning start to his career in Britain under the care of Norton trainer Brian Ellison.

The five-year-old was a three-times winner in Germany and looks an interesting new recruit to the Ellison yard.

Pim Street (6.10) should go well for David O'Meara and Josh Doyle. The four-year-old has run two decent races since winning here under Doyle three outings ago. A return to this distance of an extended nine furlongs should be ideal and the nap vote is awarded.

Head Space made no mistake at Kempton last time out on his first run for Michael Attwater since being claimed for £9,000 out of Ruth Carr's Stillington stable. Even with a 6lb penalty here he does not look badly weighted given that he's running off a mark in the low-80s compared to the 90-plus he was rated a couple of years ago. Freddie Tylicki rides.

Racing selections

Catterick today
12.50 Marigot Bay, 1.20 English Summer, 1.50 Royal Connoisseur, 2.20 Boris Grigoriev, 2.50 Fieldgunner Kirkup, 3.20 Rockawango, 3.50 Waltz Darling, 4.20 Rylee Mooch.

Wolverhampton today
4.50 Danzoe, 5.10 Imaginary Diva, 5.40 Head Space, 6.10 Pim Street (NAP), 6.40 Eatsleepracerepeat, 7.10 Ring Of Fire, 7.40 Lyfka.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Ffos Las and Windsor.

Today’s meetings: Kempton, Nottingham, Taunton and Worcester.