Prepare for a nail-biting experience if you are planning to back Geordieland in his bid to land back-to-back runnings of tomorrow’s feature race at York.

The £140,000 Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup is again the target for Jamie Osborne’s talented but somewhat frustrating eight-year-old, whose victory in the race 12 months ago saw him prevail by a whisker from Royal And Regal after receiving a ride of utmost patience from Shane Kelly, who takes the mount again tomorrow.

A keen traveller who cannot be in front for too long, Geordieland was produced to lead in the last couple of strides last year, clinching a deserved prize following his narrow defeat in the 2007 York-shire Cup, won by Sergeant Cecil.

A horse who has twice finished second to Yeats in the Ascot Gold Cup and who also finished second to Septimus in the Doncaster Cup, Geordieland will need things to pan out for him perfectly tomorrow in what promises to be a fascinating race.

Among the opposition is the ultra-talented Ask, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, one-time Classic hope Centennial, and Royal And Regal. It isn’t going to be easy – it never is with Geordieland – but expect him to come late and fast. And, hopefully, in front.

Thirsk trainer David Barron is taken to produce the first winner on the card, Dispol Keasha, who is napped to capture the Langleys Solicitors Marygate Stakes.

Narrowly beaten on her debut, Dispol Keasha trotted up at Musselburgh last time out. Owned by North Yorkshire businessman Bill Imison, a long-time racing enthusiast, this speedy juvenile is taken to follow-up.

Hambleton’s Kevin Ryan is another local trainer with good prospects of figuring on the scoresheet, saddling Titus Andronicus in the Ralph Raper Handicap. An impressive winner on his reappearance at Musselburgh a month ago, Titus Andronicus possesses speed to burn and this fast track should play to his strengths.

In the sportingbet.com Handicap over six furlongs, Excusez Moi, a recent Ripon winner, trained at Stillington by Ruth Carr, and Harrison George, a dual-winner here last season for Richard Fahey, both command the utmost respect. So too does Pavershooz, trained at Flaxton by Noel Wilson and a horse who looks set for a profitable campaign.

Narrowly denied on his comeback run at Ripon four weeks ago, Pavershooz should be all the better for that outing. He can make the most of his light weight.

Tim Easterby can also get in on the winning act. The Great Habton trainer saddles recent winner Off Chance in the Constant Security Handicap. The three-year-old should go well under David Allan.

The useful King Charles (2.10) and the progressive Greenisland (3.10) are fancied to make their presence felt in the two remaining races on the final day of this top-class three-day meeting.

At Newbury, a note should be made of smart sprinter Sayif (2.20) and highly-regarded Mooakada (2.50), the latter a likely Oaks contender if she can secure the Swettenham Stud Fillies’ Trial on her eagerly awaited reappearance for the John Gosden yard.


Racing selections

York (today)
1.40 Hamish McGonagall (NAP), 2.10 Dar Re Mi, 2.40 Crowded House, 3.10 Extraterrestrial, 3.40 City Dancer, 4.20 Beethoven, 4.55 Kayf Aramis.

York (tomorrow)
1.40 Dispol Keasha (NAP), 2.10 King Charles, 2.40 Geordieland, 3.10 Greenisland, 3.45 Titus Andronicus, 4.20 Pavershooz, 4.55 Off Chance.

Newbury (tomorrow)
1.20 Clan Piper, 1.50 Mijas Playa, 2.20 Sayif, 2.50 Mooakada, 3.25 Alrasm, 4.00 Decorum, 4.35 Joinedupwriting, 5.10 Corrilanus.

Today’s other meetings:
Folkestone, Ludlow, Newmarket, Perth, Salisbury

Tomorrow’s other meetings:
Aintree, Hamilton, Newcastler, Newmarket.