Majestic Myles, who ran a fine race in the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster on his reappearance, can lift the one of the feature honours at Thirsk’s opening meeting of 2013 tomorrow.

The Richard Fahey-trained gelding lines up in the Michael Foster Memorial Conditions Stakes and is fancied to follow in the hoofprints of his stablemate Justonefortheroad, who won the corresponding race 12 months ago.

Majestic Myles, twice a winner in Listed company, finished seventh in the Lincoln, beaten little more than three lengths over a mile.

The switch back to seven furlongs, which is arguably his best distance, should suit him tomorrow. Tony Hamilton, fresh from his easy success on the stable’s 2,000 Guineas hope Garswood at Newmarket in midweek, takes the mount.

Fahey also has good prospects of claiming the JW 4X4 Northallerton Handicap with Bispham Green, the mount of Barry McHugh.

A Southwell winner on his reappearance, Bispham Green ran a hugely creditable race at Nottingham recently to finish sixth to Mayfield Girl, beaten by only a length.

Mayfield Girl reopposes tomorrow and may prove hard to beat again, but Bispham Green has a 2lb pull and it may just swing the balance in his favour.

The James Herriot Handicap over a mile and a half boasts prize money of £20,000 and is the richest race on the card.

Easy Terms, trained at Northallerton by Edwin Tuer, has strong claims.

Something of a revelation in the last year or two, Easy Terms has improved out of all recognition and is now lodged on a handicap rating in the mid-90s. She did, however, run an excellent race on her reappearance at Pontefract to finish fourth, staying on well, to Lady Loch over ten furlongs.

This longer distance should suit her better and she looks sure to give Jimmy Sullivan a good ride.

Also worth noting are the Brian Ellison-trained Al Freej (2.15), who was narrowly beaten by School Fees at Doncaster last Saturday and the Luca Cumani-trained Zacynthus (3.25), twice a winner last season at Haydock and Yarmouth.

Today sees the first day of Ayr’s Scottish Grand National meeting and Ellison has a good chance of clinching a hat-trick of wins with Discovery Bay in the West Sound Novices’ Hurdle.

The ex-Irish gelding has run out an impressive winner twice at Wetherby, most recently last week. He is clearly in excellent heart, in common with most of Ellison’s horses, and he should go well under Danny Cook.

Jonny Delta was a winner on this course on his latest start six weeks ago. Jim Goldie’s gelding should go well under Denis O’Regan in the Play Golf At Close House Handicap Hurdle.

Ruby Walsh travels to Scotland and will be aboard the Paul Nicholls-trained Rebel Rebellion in the Equinity Intelligent Training Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Punters keen on the chances of this long-distance traveller will need to forgive him his latest subdued effort at Aintree, where he was pulled-up. He was, though, a good winner of his previous race at Sandown and Nicholls would hardly have sent him all the way to Ayr unless he feels Rebel Rebellion can give a good show.

Also worthy of note are Irish challengers Aibrean (3.50) and stablemate Fine Rightly (4.55), both trained by Stuart Crawford and both winners on this course.

RACING selections

Ayr today
1.10 Discovery Bay, 1.40 Jonny Delta, 2.10 Walkabout Creek, 2.40 McMurrough, 3.15 Rebel Rebellion, 3.50 Aibrean, 4.25 Bescot Springs, 4.55 Fine Rightly.

Today’s other meetings: Bath, Fontwell, Newbury and Southwell.

Thirsk tomorrow
2.15 Al Freej, 2.50 Nordikhab, 3.25 Zacynthus, 4.00 Easy Terms, 4.35 Bispham Green, 5.10 Majestic Myles (NAP), 5.45 Hello Stranger, 6.10 Art Dzeko.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Ayr, Bangor, Newbury, Nottingham and Wolverhampton.