HARRY'S DANCER, who gained a wide margin win on her debut at Thirsk in May, returns to same course this afternoon aiming for an encore.

Trained by John Quinn at Norton, the two-year-old daughter of Kodiac is only tiny, but she is a real pocket-rocket, as she proved first time out when winning by five lengths.

The style of that victory prompted Qatar owners Al Shaqab Racing to buy a half-share in her prior to her going to Royal Ascot the following month for the Queen Mary Stakes. That event proved beyond her and she finished eighth, and she has since occupied the same position in the fiercely competitive Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury, won by the high-class Tiggy Wiggy, which attracted a 24-strong field.

Harry's Dancer is into handicap company for the first time today and, despite top weight, has a fine chance of resuming winning ways in the Emma Stothard, Sculptor Fillies' Nursery. Well drawn in stall seven, she is fancied to take plenty of catching over this sharp five furlongs. Phil Makin rides.

Graham Lee has picked-up a good mount in Mushir in the Breeders Backing Racing EBF Conditions Stakes.

Roger Varian's useful colt won a Listed race at York last October and his three races this season have also been in Listed company. On his latest start at Chester, he went down fighting when finishing a close-up third to Kevin Ryan's Glory Awaits.

Glory may now await Mushir, who carries the colours of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, who is enjoying such a fantastic year, highlighted by the exploits of Group 1 winners Taghrooda and Mukhadram, both of whom are to be aimed at York's Ebor Festival.

Beat The Tide may prove the answer to the Tomrods Steel Handicap over two miles.

The mount of smart apprentice Connor Beasley, the gelding trained by Michael Dods, went down by half a length to the in-form Longshadow on this course on his latest outing. Compensation may be forthcoming this afternoon.

Also worth noting at Thirsk is nap selection Syros in the Market Cross Jewellers Handicap. Mick Easterby's charge caught the eye here last time out and Kieren Fallon looks a significant booking this afternoon.

On the penultimate day of the Glorious Goodwood meeting, G Force puts his reputation on the line in the Group 2 Betfred King George Stakes.

A York winner in May, David O'Meara's colt was put up by many as a rising star of the sprinting division. He has since suffered two defeats, the latest behind Take Cover (in the field again) on Knavesmire three weeks ago. This is G Force's chance to bounce back. It won't, though, be easy in a competitive contest, which also features Ladies Are Forever, a Group 3 winner at York last month, and the pride and joy of her trainer Geoff Oldroyd and owner-breeder Reg Bond.

Richard Fahey is among the North Yorkshire trainers with good prospects of winning the £130,000 Betfred Mile. The Malton trainer has Heaven's Guest in the line-up, the gelding having won the Bunbury Cup and finished fourth in last Saturday's major handicap at Ascot on his last two starts. Provided those recent races have not left a mark, Jack Garritty's mount should have a major say, stepping up to a mile.

Fahey has twin prospects in the Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Nursery. The lightly-raced George Bowen may have the edge over stablemate Vimy Ridge and emerge best of the pair.

Mark Johnston, who targets this meeting every year, has chances of a double with the unbeaten Muteela (4-50), successful at Royal Ascot in June, and the tough Fire Fighting (5-25), both mounts of Joe Fanning.


Selections

Thirsk today
1.45 Harry’s Dancer, 2.20 Café Cortado, 2.55 Syros (NAP), 3.30 Mushir, 4.05 Kommander Kirkup, 4.40 Beat The Tide, 5.10 Clubland.

Goodwood today
1.55 Hillstar, 2.30 Wannabe Yours, 3.05 Heaven’s Guest, 3.40 G Force, 4.15 George Bowen, 4.50 Muteela, 5.25 Fire Fighting.

Today’s other meetings:
Bangor, Bath, Musselburgh and Newmarket.

Tomorrow’s meetings: 
Doncaster, Goodwood, Hamilton, Lingfield, Newmarket and Thirsk.