Area Fifty One tipped to land John Smith’s Cup at York (From York Press)

Area Fifty One tipped to land John Smith’s Cup at York

10:43am Friday 13th July 2012 in Sport By Tom O'Ryan, Racing journalist

With three victories in the race already under his belt, Richard Fahey has good prospects of making it four in tomorrow’s £150,000 John Smith’s Cup at York with Area Fifty One.

Area Fifty One could provide apprentice jockey Shane B Kelly with the biggest success of his career.

Owned by Dr Marwan Koukash, Area Fifty One, previously trained by Willie Muir, finished a neck second to Navajo Chief on this course last month before going one better in emphatic style at Newmarket on his latest outing.

There is a school of thought that Area Fifty One may be better on quicker ground, which he got at Newmarket, having experienced a soft surface on his previous Knavesmire visit.

The evidence, though, is not altogether convincing and, provided conditions do not become overly testing, he can gain a major pay day, especially as Kelly’s 5lb claim eliminates the penalty he picked up for winning at Newmarket.

Tim Easterby looks set for a profitable afternoon on Knavesmire. He can land the John Smith’s City Walls Stakes with Hamish McGonagall, far from disgraced in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot last time and previously a very creditable third in a Group 2 race at Chantilly in France. He is three times a course winner at York.

Easterby can also score with Getabuzz, who came good in fine style at Doncaster last time out. The two miles of the John Smith’s Stayers’ Handicap should suit him down to the ground.

Easterby’s Crackentorp, another course specialist with three wins to his name, should go well in the John Smith’s Silver Cup, but he may have to settle for a supporting role behind up-and-coming junior rival Suraj, an impressive winner at Doncaster last time. His trainer Michael Bell won this race last year with Tactician.

The nap vote is awarded to Dream Scenario in the John Smith’s Nursery, which concludes the card.

Trained at nearby Warthill by Mel Brittain, this useful looking filly finished a good third to the high-class Body And Soul on her debut at Ripon before turning out quickly at Beverley and running out a decisive winner.

Dream Scenario is now into handicap company. She looks fairly treated, but Brittain has made her look even more attractive by reducing her weight by a further 5lb, courtesy of booking North Yorkshire apprentice Neil Farley. She should take plenty of beating.

Dream Scenario’s claims may already have been boosted by the time she faces the starter. An hour and a half earlier at Newbury, her Ripon conqueror Body And Soul runs in the £250,000 Weatherbys Super Sprint.

Having won a novice at Thirsk on her latest outing, Body And Soul, trained by Tim Easterby, is held in very high regard. This is a most competitive race, with 25 runners stretched across the course, but Body And Soul is fancied to lead them home under Duran Fentiman, with only 7st 12lb on her back.

Also worth noting at Newbury are the in-form Maarek (3.10), and the tough and talented Qaraaba (4.20).

Racing selections

York (today)

2.05 Miss You Too, 2.35 Sentaril, 3.10 Forray, 3.45 Bridle Belle, 4.20 Jamaican Bolt (NAP), 4.55 Fury, 5.30 Dutch Rose.

Today’s other meetings

Chepstow, Chester, Hamilton, Newbury and Newmarket.

York (tomorrow)

1.55 Toto Skyllachy, 2.25 Suraj, 3.00 Area Fifty One, 3.35 Hamish McGonagall, 4.10 Garswood, 4.45 Getabuzz, 5.20 Dream Scenario (NAP).

Newbury (tomorrow)

2.00 Strictly Ballroom, 2.35 Epernay, 3.10 Maarek, 3.50 Body And Soul, 4.20 Qaraaba, 4.55 Arnold Lane, 5.30 Sansili.

Tomorrow’s other meetings

Chester, Hamilton, Newmarket and Salisbury.