Steel Stockholder to prevail under control of York jockey Dodsworth (From York Press)

Steel Stockholder to prevail under control of York jockey Robert Dodsworth

10:26am Thursday 30th August 2012 in Sport By Tom O'Ryan, Racing journalist

York-born apprentice Robert Dodsworth heads to Thirsk tomorrow to be reunited with his best equine friend.

Steel Stockholder, trained at Warthill by Mel Brittain, Dodsworth’s boss, provided the 7lb claimer with his memorable first career win at Newcastle recently. It was a narrow victory, but one which will live long in the memory of the young rider.

Dodsworth, who spent a couple of months in Wales working for trainer Bryn Palling earlier this year, has made useful progress since joining up with Brittain and was seen to good effect at Newcastle on Steel Stockholder when getting him home by a head from Bygones For Coins.

The gelding, who had run consistently well in advance of that success, runs off a 4lb higher mark in the JW 4x4 Northellerton Handicap, but Brittain, who saddled a double at Ripon on Tuesday, has his horses in great form. It would be no surprise to see nap selection Steel Stockholder add to the stable’s tally – and double Dodsworth's score.

Tim Easterby bids to strike while the iron is hot with Bollin Felix in the Weatherbys Bank Handicap over two miles.

The eight-year-old resumed winning ways in decisive style at Newcastle on Monday and Easterby is clearly keen to get him out again under a 6lb penalty before he is re-handicapped.

David O’Meara also saddles a penalised winner in Ingleby Angel in the TurfTV Handicap.

A Redcar winner last Saturday night, Ingleby Angel left the impression there may be more to come. A 6lb penalty may not be enough to cause an inconvenience.

Few Thirsk meetings come and go without Richard Fahey making an impression and the Malton trainer, whose Giorgio’s Dragon is a threat to Ingleby Angel, also has good prospects with Autumn Shadow, who has shown enough in previous efforts to suggest she should go well in the Theakston Lightfoot Maiden Claiming Stakes.

Graham Lee foregoes his local Thirsk meeting to travel to Sandown, where he teams up with the promising Rock God in the first division of the British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing Maiden Stakes.

Trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, Rock God finished a good second to Steeler on his debut at Goodwood, form which has since been franked by the winner, who was a close up second to Dundonnel in last week’s Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York.

Westow trainer Paul Midgley has his horses in good nick and Irish Boy is overdue a winning turn after filling the frame at Folkestone and Leicester on his last two starts.

The Wisecall Claims Assistance Handicap may be a suitable opportunity for Irish Boy to get off the mark.

Andrew Balding has engaged the services of his former champion apprentice William Buick to ride Hot Secret in the opening Orleans Nursery.

Buick, enjoying a remarkable year as number one jockey to John Gosden, can surely expect a good ride from Hot Secret, who is nothing if not consistent.

Merry Jaunt (5.05), trained by Gosden, can be another winner for Buick, while recent winner Rhagori (5.35), trained by Ralph Beckett, is also worth noting.

Racing selections

Thirsk (tomorrow)
2.10 Master Ming, 2.40 Bollin Felix, 3.15 Autumn Shadow, 3.50 Profile Star, 4.25 Llewellyn, 4.55 Steel Stockholder (NAP), 5.25 Ingleby Angel.

Sandown (tomorrow)
2.20 Hot Secret, 2.50 Irish Boy, 3.25 Rock God, 4.00 Estifzaaz, 4.35 My Lord, 5.05 Merry Jaunt, 5.35 Rhagori.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Bangor, Salisbury and Wolverhampton.

Today’s meetings: Fontwell, Hamilton, Hereford, Kempton, Lingfield and Stratford.