NEWMARKET trainer James Fanshawe will be keeping a close eye on the weather ahead of this Saturday’s John Smith’s Cup at York.

Fanshawe is responsible for the current 10/1 joint-favourite Arthenus, a son of Dutch Art.

Arthenus, now four, had a productive three-year-old campaign, which culminated in a gutsy success over subsequent Royal Hunt Cup runner-up, Librisa Breeze, in a nine-furlong handicap on the Knavesmire last October.

He failed to land a blow on his first two starts of this campaign, but returned with a career best to finish fourth in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.

The ground was officially soft at Ascot and Fanshawe is hoping there is some ease underfoot on Saturday.

He said: “The plan is to run on Saturday. I am just hoping that the ground doesn’t dry out too much as he very much likes to get his toe in. It doesn’t have to be soft like it was at Ascot, just a little bit of ease.

“He ran a really good race in the Wolferton and has come out of the race well. He seems in good form and is the right type for a race like this.

“He has a bit of class which you need for these big handicaps. He’s well, I’m happy with him and now we need a bit of luck with the draw and the ground.”

Arthenus is one of fifty-one who stood their ground for the richest ever running of the John Smith’s Cup.

The 57th renewal of the mile and a quarter contest had its prize fund boosted by £50,000 this season, making it the richest middle-distance handicap in Britain.

Saturday’s racing at York starts at 1.55pm, although the two-day meeting gets underway 24 hours earlier with another excellent afternoon of action.

The seven-race card on Friday includes the 188Bet Summer Stakes – a six-furlong Group 3 for fillies and mares.

Visit www.yorkracecourse.co.uk for information and tickets.