Hope for Kayf Aramis win at York Racecourse (From York Press)

Hope for Kayf Aramis win at York Racecourse

9:33am Wednesday 16th May 2012 in Horse racing By Steve Carroll, Sports reporter

ISOBEL Phipps Coltman is hoping Kayf Aramis can be crowned the king of Knavesmire at York Racecourse tomorrow.

The owner-breeder of the ten-year-old sends her veteran into battle in the Investec Specialist Bank Stakes over two miles and two furlongs with the aim of securing his fourth win at the track.

Kayf Aramis, who first won at York in 2006, was victorious in this race in 2007 and 2009 and Phipps, a graduate of University of York, reckons Knavesmire is a track her pride and joy absolutely loves.

“He has been a fantastic horse through the years,” she said.

“And he particularly likes York. It is the only track where he has won more than once and it is fingers crossed he can do it again tomorrow.”

A winner of seven races throughout a career about to mark its 78th contest, Kayf Aramis won at the Cheltenham Festival in 2009 and, once trained by Venetia Williams, is currently in the care of Nigel Twiston-Davies. His son, Willy, will ride at York.

He is up against some formidable opposition. A current 12-1 shot, he will face the likes of Norton trainer Malcolm Jefferson’s Cape Tribulation, who recently completed a Cheltenham Festival and Aintree double.

Also in the field is the talented Zefooha, trained by Tim Walford at Sheriff Hutton, and Dark Ranger, for former Norton and now Newmarket-based handler Tim Pitt.

Phipps Coltman, who studied linguistics at York between 1986 and 1990, added: “All the other horses are a lot younger than him. He was never the quickest but he has lots of stamina. Willy Twiston-Davies is riding and, hopefully, he will be kicking him on at the end.”