OISIN MURPHY, the apprentice of the moment, who achieved a staggering 9,260-1 four-timer at Ayr last month when also capturing the Gold Cup, has yet to ride a winner at York. All that could change tomorrow.

The 18-year-old Irishman, who is attached to Andrew Balding’s Kingsclere stable, has been booked by Norton’s John Quinn for three horses with major chances, starting off with Makin The Rules in the opening TSG Nursery Handicap.

At the same Ayr Western Meeting where Murphy stole the headlines and rode a couple of winners for Quinn, Makin The Rules failed by just a whisker to score in handicap company under Michael O’Connell.

The Lawman colt had previously finished second on Knavesmire to Remember in a hot nursery, having opened his account on his second outing at Carlisle.

Makin The Rules looks a horse going places and, teamed up with Murphy, the duo can prove a winning combination.

Murphy also rides Quinn’s Lincoln winner Levitate in the This Isn't The ‘Stan James Champion Hurdle’ Handicap.

Levitate contributed to Murphy’s Ayr heroics when scoring smoothly on his second run back after a summer break. He has every chance of following up and his chances would be further enhanced by any easing of the ground in the meantime.

Quinn and Murphy will also be in action with Evanescent in the Future Cleaning Services Apprentice Handicap.

The gelding is in rude health at present, having won at Ayr and followed up at Pontefract – his winning margins being six lengths and three lengths.

It would be expecting a lot for Murphy to repeat his Ayr four-timer. But few would argue that he has yet another excellent ride in the Novus Handicap aboard Dungannon, trained by his boss.

Winner of his last two races, at Ascot and Haydock in the hands of Jimmy Fortune, Dungannon has been raised a further 5lb by the handicapper, but Murphy’s claim negates that extra weight which gives this in-form gelding a fine chance.

Murphy has yet another useful mount in the Parsonage Hotel And Cloisters Spa Handicap on Balding’s smart Van Percy, but marginal preference is for Elhaame, a similarly progressive three-year-old, trained by Luca Cumani and the mount of Adam Kirby.

Malton’s Richard Fahey has ground to make up on David O’Meara and Kevin Ryan in his bid to win York’s trainers’ championship for an eighth year, but he has several chances, including nap selection Rangi Chase in the Website Designers Yorkshire Maiden Stakes.

The juvenile has finished third in his first two starts, at Haydock and Hamilton, performing well each time.

Learning with experience, he can be expected to figure in the shake-up once again in the safe hands of Ryan Moore.

Fahey also has a sound chance in the Brittains Vodka Maiden Stakes with Royal Connoisseur, the mount of Paul Hanagan.

The two-year-old stepped up from his unplaced debut effort at Carlisle when just failing to get up at Catterick last time out. If he can progress again, he should go well in this five-and-a-half furlong dash.


Racing selections

York tomorrow
2.00 Makin The Rules, 2.30 Dungannon, 3.05 Levitate, 3.40 Royal Connoisseur, 4.15 Elhaame, 4.50 Rangi Chase (NAP), 5.20 Evanescent.

Wolverhampton tomorrow
5.40 Go Sakhee, 6.10 Makinson Lane, 6.40 Excellent Jem, 7.10 Hi Filwah, 7.40 Getaway Car, 8.10 Icon Dance, 8.40 Sakhalin Star, 9.10 Gabrial The Thug.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Newton Abbot and Carlisle.

Today’s meetings: Ayr, Exeter, Kempton and Worcester.