Ryedale trainer John Wainwright, whose Mis Chicaf, a recent runaway winner at York, has been installed the 7-1 favourite for Saturday's £75,000 William Hill Trophy on Knavesmire, is aiming to have an early celebration on his local course on Friday.

Wainwright, who trains at Malton, will be doubly-represented by recent winners Catch The Cat and Tommy Smith in the £14,000 Blacks - The People For Property Handicap and has strong claims with both his runners.

Catch The Cat scored a narrow win in a similarly valuable handicap at Musselburgh recently in the hands of Gyles Parkin, who rides the gelding again.

As for Tommy Smith, he bounced back to winning form at Pontefract on Monday night, his first success for two years, and since having an operation on his knees last backend.

Tommy Smith, a previous winner over this course and distance, has a 7lb penalty to carry tomorrow under Darren Williams, and, although he looks sure to make a bold bid, my vote goes to Catch The Cat, who is napped to have the edge over his stablemate and provide the in-form Wainwright with another winner before his potential jackpot bid on Saturday.

York have revised their running order tomorrow to try and limit the effect of the current starting stall handlers dispute.

No stalls will be used in the first three races, which is why, instead of beginning with one of their four sprints, York have elected to promote their two longer distance races to become the first two races on the card, an even start being of slightly less importance in such events.

William Haggas has his horses in excellent form and Escayola is fancied to start the programme with a victory in the Colliergate Rated Handicap over one and three-quarter miles.

A progressive performer last season, Escayola is likely to be all the better for last month's comeback outing at Goodwood, where he finished unplaced after racing too freely.

He will be partnered by Richard Quinn, who, earlier this week, notched his 2,000th victory in a career which began back in the 70s with then-Norton trainer Herbert Jones.

The £20,000 sportingoptions Rated Handicap is the richest race on tomorrow's card, and Steel Blue, trained by Richard Whitaker, looks sure to go well under Tony Culhane. The four-year-old has been in excellent form recently.

Also in this line-up is Forever Phoenix, who was hopelessly left at the start at Epsom last week when stalls were likewise not in operation. Hopefully, for her connections, there will be no repeat occurrence tomorrow when a 'flip' start will again be used.

Backers should also take note that there will be no starting stalls in the first three races at Sandown, which starts with a five-furlongs claiming race.

Proud Native won this event last year and the old-timer, trained near Easingwold by David Nicholls, bids for an encore in the hands of Darryll Holland.

Oasis Star, another Holland mount, has strong claims in the SBJ Classified Stakes.

The Peter Harris-trained filly has chalked-up two wins this season and also a creditable fifth-placed effort in a red-hot handicap won by Gatwick at Haydock last time, to her credit.

Friday's tips:

York

2.15 Escayola, 2.45 Eton, 3.15 Steel Blue, 3.50 Island Swing, 4.25 Catch The Cat (Nap), 5.00 Distinctly Game.

Sandown

2.00 Proud Native, 2.35 Oasis Star, 3.05 Faayej, 3.40 Drum Dance, 4.15 Foley Prince, 4.50 Night Frolic.

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Chepstow (evening, Flat), Goodwood (evening, Flat) and Southwell (afternoon, Flat, all-weather track).

Updated: 12:05 Thursday, June 10, 2004