TIM EASTERBY, who successfully re-introduced Hawk High back to hurdles at Aintree last Saturday, aims to do the same over fences with Trustan Times at Wetherby this afternoon.

The two horses travelled to Cheltenham’s prestigious Festival meeting in March. Hawk High won the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, while Trustan Times was beaten only half-a-length into fourth place in a thrilling finish to the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final.

The following month, Trustan Times was switched back to the major obstacles at Ayr and ran a blinder to finish third in the Scottish Grand National before heading off for his summer break.

Easterby had the option of running the versatile gelding in tomorrow’s West Yorkshire Hurdle on this course, but he has chosen the bet365.com Handicap Chase for Trustan Times’ return to action.

It’s a competitive race, but the Easterby horses, jumps and Flat, are in excellent form at the moment and Trustan Times is fancied to emulate Hawk High and make a winning comeback.

The Wetherby executive will be bitterly disappointed that the £20,000 Wensleydale Hurdle has attracted only five runners, with Norton trainer Brian Ellison responsible for two of them.

Ellison saddles Come On Sunshine, winner of both his races over hurdles, and a good fourth on the Flat at Catterick earlier in the week, but preference is for stable-mate Full Day, the mount of Danny Cook, who won his first two hurdles starts and lost no caste in defeat when runner-up at Market Rasen on his latest start.

Anybody who saw Be My Present win at Hexham three weeks ago will not be in a rush to oppose her in the racinguk.com Novices’ Hurdle.

The seven-year-old was having her first outing for James Ewart at Hexham, where she scored by 25 lengths, easing down under Daragh Bourke, who takes the mount again today. She promises to take plenty of beating.

Sheriff Hutton trainer Mick Easterby has good prospects of winning the bet365.com Handicap Hurdle with Lightening Rod.

The seven-year-old ran a blinder over this course and distance a couple of weeks ago when chasing home Goodwood Mirage in a competitive race. This contest looks equally tough, but the strong-travelling Lightening Rod should be in the shake-up.

Also worth noting at Wetherby on the first leg of its two-day meeting, highlighted by Saturday’s Charlie Hall Chase, are Ballyben (3.25), who should be all the better for his Perth effort last month, when he was beaten only a nose on his first outing after a summer break, and the lightly-weighted Kathlatino (4.00), who is fit from the Flat.

At Newmarket, North Yorkshire trainer Bryan Smart saddles Red Pike in the colours of part-owner Sir Alex Ferguson in the Street Café & Crown Rooms Newmarket Conditions Stakes.

An ultra-consistent sprinter, who won at Hamilton three outings ago, Red Pike has run two cracking races since to finish runner-up at Ascot and Doncaster. He can be relied upon to produce his best under regular rider Paul Mulrennan.

In the Irish Stallion Farms ‘Bosra Sham’ Stakes, nap selection Fligaz makes ample appeal.

Trained by Martyn Meade, whose horses are in fine form, Fligaz ran out a decisive winner of a maiden race at Goodwood just under three weeks ago. She has earned her place in this Listed event and is selected to take the honours under Fergus Sweeney.

North Yorkshire trainer Alan Swinbank steps Lady Artiste up in trip in the George Rogers Mobile Catering Handicap.

Fourth at Hamilton last time out, staying on strongly to the finish over an extended mile, Lady Artiste is fancied to appreciate today’s ten furlongs.

 

Selections

Wetherby today
1.10 Be My Present, 1.40 Lightening Rod, 2.15 Trustan Times, 2.50 Full Day, 3.25 Ballyben, 4.00 Kathlatino.

Newmarket today
12.30 Greatest Hits, 1.00 Crown Command, 1.30 Lady Artiste, 2.00 Fligaz (NAP), 2.35 Red Pike, 3.10 Headline News, 3.45 Mister Pagan, 4.15 Patriotic.

Today’s other meetings
Uttoxeter and Wolverhampton.

Tomorrow’s meetings
Ascot, Ayr, Newmarket and Wetherby.