Mark Johnston’s Idler can complete a quick-fire double (From York Press)

Mark Johnston’s Idler can complete a quick-fire double

10:54am Thursday 4th October 2012 in Sport By Tom O'Ryan, Racing journalist

Idler, a wide-margin winner at Newmarket last Saturday, can make the long journey from North Yorkshire to Ascot worthwhile tomorrow by completing a rapid follow-up in the opening race.

Trained by Mark Johnston, the three-year-old took time to find his form this season. But he has done so with a vengeance lately and his latest Newmarket success, gained by an emphatic four lengths, came just a week after he had posted a narrow victory on the same course.

A 6lb penalty may not be enough to halt Idler in the Ascot Racecourse Handicap and, with Joe Fanning in the saddle, he is fancied to oblige once more.

Roger Charlton could be the trainer to follow later in the card. He has good prospects with nap selection Captain Cat and Silver Lime.

A very likeable horse, Captain Cat has had only three runs, but he looked an exciting prospect when trotting up in a maiden at Newmarket in the spring.

Provided he is none the worse for his five-month absence, he can make his presence felt in the Redstone Classified Stakes.

Silver Lime lines up in the Wear It Pink Handicap and is selected to gain her second win of the campaign. A Goodwood scorer on her second start, she finished a good third here on her latest outing four weeks ago and still looks in good heart.

The Keltbray Noel Murless Stakes is the feature race on the card with £35,000 in prize money up for grabs and Cavaleiro should go well for Marcus Tregoning, who won last Saturday’s Cambridgeshire Handicap with Bronze Angel.

Cavaleiro returned from a three-month absence to run a blinder when third to the useful Rule Book at Newbury a fortnight ago. He looks a decent horse in the making and has excellent prospects here in the hands of Frankie Dettori, who has picked up the plum ride on the Aidan O’Brien-trained Camelot in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

Flashman, trained by Richard Fahey, runs in the Wessex Youth Trust Gordon Carter Handicap over two miles. The three-year-old has made good strides this season, and was a good sixth in the hotly-contested Melrose Handicap at York’s Ebor Festival and has since finished a respectable fifth in handicap company at Doncaster’s St Leger Festival.

These two miles should suit him and Paul Hanagan has been booked for the ride.

At Wolverhampton’s evening meeting, Sky Crossing may be the one to be on in the 32Red Supporting British Racing Handi-cap. The three-year-old, trained by James Given, came good by a narrow margin at Kempton last time and, now he’s returned to winning form, is fancied to follow up under Graham Lee.

Success for Sky Crossing would highlight the chances of Miss Dashwood in the first division of the 32Red.com Handicap.

Miss Dashwood, trained by James Fanshawe, was beaten only a nose by Sky Crossing at Kempton. That was her first attempt on an all-weather surface and further improvement looks likely. It would be no surprise to see her go one better.

Sally’s Swansong has already shown a real liking for Wolverhampton and Eric Alston’s sprinter is not one to overlook in the opening 32Red Handicap.

The six-year-old has scored on her last two visits to this course, most recently last weekend. She can be relied upon to make a bold bid for hat-trick honours.

Darren Egan, locked in battle with Amy Ryan in the race for the apprentice title, has a chance to add to his tally aboard Jalors, trained by his boss, Ron Harris, in the 32Red.com Handicap, while Altaria, runner-up in all her three starts, might finally open her account in the 32Red Casino Maiden Stakes for Amanda Perrett and Jim Crowley.

Racing selections

Ascot (tomorrow)
2.20 Idler, 2.55 Captain Cat (NAP), 3.30 Silver Lime, 4.05 Cavaleiro, 4.40 Flashman, 5.15 Born To Surprise.

Wolverhampton (tomorrow)
5.45 Sally’s Swansong, 6.15 Rulesn’regulations, 6.45 Jalors, 7.15 Altaria, 7.45 Sky Crossing, 8.15 Poor Duke, 8.45 Miss Dashwood, 9.15 Siouxperhero.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Fontwell, Hexham and Yarmouth.

Today’s meetings: Bangor, Southwell, Warwick and Wolverhampton.