It could pay to punt on a change of luck for Marton Moss in the William Hill Trophy at York today. Trained at nearby Malton by Tim Easterby, Marton Moss was a useful juvenile last year, with wins on good to firm and soft going. But he has not enjoyed the rub of the green this term.
Pitted against older horses at his first two starts, he acquitted himself well to finish fourth of 18 at Ripon, two lengths behind Mallia, and a five-length fifth of 20 to Swino at Thirsk after racing on the unfavoured stands' side.
At Chester, he found the draw against him once more when coming out of stall 12. But the gelding lost nothing in defeat.
Easterby's charge was stepped up to seven furlongs for his most recent start, on the Knavesmire, but failed to get any sort of run in a competitive heat won by Ho Leng.
Back to six furlongs for today's race, which has attracted the maximum field of 23, Marton Moss must again overcome an unfavourable draw (22), so expect him to arrive late down the centre of the track.
Earlier on the card, Taffs Well looks worth an interest in the Cadogan Silver Salver Handicap over nine furlongs.
Lynda Ramsden's maiden ran encouragingly over a mile at Haydock in its last race, keeping on well in the closing stages and giving every indication that a step up in trip would suit.
With the extra furlong and softer conditions today, take a chance with Taffs Well, who is still racing off a very favourable mark, to open his account.
Simply Gifted can round off a good afternoon for Easterby by winning the Daniel Prenn Royal Yorkshire Rated Stakes.
This imposing horse had decent placed efforts in nurseries last season after his win in a Newcastle maiden, and should appreciate the 10 furlongs on the Knavesmire.
Another promising type is Red- bridge, who can continue his progress with victory in the Listed Leicester Mercury Stakes on Leicester's evening card.
Willie Ryan benefited from injury victim Kieren Fallon's absence with a double at Sandown yesterday, though Henry Cecil, boss of both, was responsible for neither. Fallon has been forced to sit out the weekend after twisting a knee on the Newmarket gallops, a problem which threatens the champion jockey's participation at Royal Ascot.
But it's an ill wind as Ryan, second rider at Warren Place, would no doubt verify after his victories on Ardleigh Charmer and Cyrano's Lad. While the rest of us have been cursing the heavens for recent rainfall, Ardleigh Charmer's trainer Chris Dwyer has been grinning like a recently-fed Cheshire cat.
The colt, a confirmed softground performer, had originally been the booked mount of Fallon but Ryan stepped in to drive the chestnut to a three-and-a-half-length win over Norski Lad.
