DON'T TELL ANNIE can prove the answer to the Hilary Needler Trophy at Beverley this afternoon on behalf of Tim Easterby, who sent out last year's winner of this race in Ventura Mist.

An impressive winner on her debut at Pontefract, Don't Tell Annie contested the Marygate Stakes at York earlier this month and performed creditably in that Listed contest to finish fifth after seeming to be on her back foot in the early stages.

This stiffer course will suit Don't Tell Annie. Furthermore, she takes a drop in class in what looks a less than daunting Hilary Needler, which boasts prize money of £26,000.

The North Yorkshire filly is napped to prevail in the hands of David Allan.

Beverley has attracted smallish fields, which is both surprising and somewhat disappointing, but Easterby won't be complaining and neither will Kevin Ryan.

The two trainers go head-to-head in the six-runner Weatherbys Sports Publishing Conditions Stakes with Easterby saddling Hamish McGonagall and Ryan represented by York Glory in this fascinating five furlong dash.

Marginal preference is for York Glory, winner of the Wokingham Handicap last year before going on to prove himself in stronger company.

A hold-up horse, he will doubtless get a lovely lead from the front-running Hamish McGonagall, who has been a crack sprinter in recent seasons, but who is now nine-years-old and may not be the force he once was. It's a useful race and York Glory may just have the edge in a race Ryan won 12 months ago with Hamza.

Richard Fahey can get on the scoresheet more than once on the card. Emerahldz won on this course a fortnight ago and did well to come from off the pace under George Chaloner, who takes the ride again. This step up in distance should suit her and she can win again in the Beverley Middle Distance Series Handicap.

Chaloner also takes the mount on Spirit Of The Law in the Barry Parker Memorial Handicap. The five-year-old enjoyed a good campaign last year and should be approaching his peak again after two unplaced, but promising efforts.

The Evening Of Horse Maiden Stakes also hosts a Fahey runner in Abbey Village. Closely related to former stable star Wooton Bassett, Abbey Village does not have his level of ability, but this slow-maturing three-year-old ran well enough on this course a couple of weeks to suggest he has a chance in a modest event.

At Hamilton's afternoon meeting, Polar Forest can be another winner for North Yorkshire apprentice Connor Beasley, who is giving strong chase to Oisin Murphy in this season's championship.

Beasley, who is attached to Michael Dods' Darlington yard, teams-up with Polar Forest in the Happy 10th Birthday Racing UK Handicap. Richard Guest's gelding has been in rude health lately and was an easy winner at Newcastle last week. He has a welter burden to overcome here, but is fancied to oblige again.

Kevin Ryan has a progressive juvenile on his hands in Indian Keys, who looks to be going the right way after two respectable efforts. He can make it third-time-lucky in the Mandora Maiden Auction Stakes.

Also worth noting are David O'Meara's Dansili Dutch (3.40), who has run well in defeat lately, and A Southside Boy (4.50), who is a previous winner on this course.

Selections

Beverley today

6.30 Emerahldz, 7.00 Spirit Of The Law, 7.30 Don’t Tell Annie (NAP), 8.00 York Glory, 8.30

Coin Broker, 9.00 Abbey Village.

Hamilton today

2.10 Indian Keys, 2.40 Polar Forest, 3.10 Rock Canyon, 3.40 Dansili Dutch, 4.15 Bunce, 4.50

A Southside Boy, 5.25 Zanouska.

Today’s other meetings

Chepstow and Kempton.

Tomorrow’s meetings

Bath, Haydock, Sandown, Wetherby and Worcester.