Racing by Tom O'Ryan

Kevin Ryan, who has chalked up a trio of successes since setting up as a trainer at Hambleton Lodge near Sutton Bank in mid-summer, can register his first York triumph tomorrow.

The former National Hunt jockey saddles Silently in the Batley's Cash & Carry Handicap, and John Carroll's mount is fancied to take all the beating.

Ryan secured Silently for only £6,000 out of Jeff King's yard after the six-year-old had won a claiming race at Redcar last month. He has since finished a good third at Ripon, and scorched home in a handicap at Musselburgh last week when starting the generous odds of 20-1.

Silently has more on his plate tomorrow, but a change of stables can have a dramatic effect on the form of some horses and Silently looks to have taken on a new lease of life in North Yorkshire. He should not be underestimated.

The £27,500 Lawrence Batley Rated Handicap is tomorrow's feature race on a day sponsored by Batley's Cash & Carry, long-time supporters of York races.

This six furlongs dash fell to Double Action last year and Tim Easterby's charge could well make a prominent showing again this time, especially as today's rain will have softened the ground to his liking.

But my vote goes to Emerging Market, who ran a blinder to finish second to Cadeaux Cher in the highly competitive Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon just over two weeks ago. A reproduction of that form tomorrow could see John Dunlop's tough sprinter in the number one slot and he is awarded the Nap.

Justupyourstreet should not be overlooked in the Best Buy Products Maiden Auction Stakes.

Jonjo O'Neill's youngster has shown significant promise on his three starts to date and will be much better suited by the mile he tackles tomorrow than the five furlongs over which he raced at Pontefract last time.

Trainer John Hills and jockey Michael Roberts appear to hold the key to the Mayfield Bitter & Lager Maiden Stakes with Royal Fontaine, who is overdue a victory.

Unraced last year Royal Fontaine has finished second on both her outings this season and went down by only one and threequarter lengths to the very promising De Mille at Sandown last time. She can go one better tomorrow.

The Levy Board Petrushka Vodka Claiming Stakes is a wide-open race, but Somerton Boy has a fighting chance.

Trained near Ripon by Peter Calver, this eight-year-old has been in good form during the summer, winning at Ayr, his favourite course, before finishing a good third to the in-form Abajany there three weeks ago. He looks sure to go well here under John Carroll.

Frankie Dettori's supporters may have to wait until the last race before the charismatic Italian finds himself in the winners' enclosure.

Dettori teams-up with Phareekh in the Knightsbridge Gin Maiden Stakes. David Loder's charge will start at short odds, having been sent off the odds-on favourite to win a Listed race at Newbury on his debut, in which he finished fourth.

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