Yorkshire Trainers Target Summer Festival Success

A host of Yorkshire-trained horses are set to fly the flag on home soil as the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, sponsored by Sky Bet, gets underway at Pontefract this evening.

The Festival showcases racing across Yorkshire's nine racecourses, with many of the county's leading trainers preparing to send out strong teams in pursuit of winners throughout the week.

Easterby Team Out in Force

Tim Easterby is set to be one of the busiest trainers during the Festival, beginning at Pontefract where I'm Next and Mount King are among his runners.

I'm Next is a horse Easterby would normally associate with softer ground, but the Great Habton trainer has been encouraged by how well he has adapted to quicker conditions this season.

Easterby also has a sizeable team heading to Ripon, including promising two-year-old Warby, who could use her Festival appearance as a springboard to Goodwood, while Per Contra, runner-up in last year's Bell-Ringer Handicap, bids to go one better.

Ripon favourite Garden Oasis, who even has a bar named after him at the course, returns to one of his happiest hunting grounds. Vega's Virtue and Stoneacre Joe are also expected to represent the stable during the meeting.

Walford Hoping Ripon Sparks Revival

Mark Walford will be hoping a return to Ripon brings out the best in Spioradalta, a multiple winner who steps up to a mile and a half.

Walford also has hopes for Electric Lightning at Doncaster following a return to form at Beverley, while stable favourite It Just Takes Time heads to Beverley on Monday. The stable's Festival campaign concludes with Kodiak Thriller in the Jump Jockeys' Nunthorpe at York, where Jamie Hamilton is booked to ride.

Carr Counting on Consistent Performer

Ruth Carr begins her Festival campaign at Pontefract with yard favourite Reigning Profit, a ten-time winner for the stable who arrives on the back of another victory at Ripon.

Carr's team also includes Palmarian at Doncaster, King Sharja at Beverley and Wise Crack at Catterick, while Kat's Bob, Fiscal Policy and potentially Rousing Encore could line up at York later in the Festival.

Busy Week for Nigel Tinkler

Nigel Tinkler launches his Festival challenge with Theme Park at Pontefract.

Recent winner Baldosa is expected to have a strong chance at Redcar, while course winner Dandy Dinmont could return to Beverley. Another Investment and recent York scorer Magic Boy are also among the stable's potential runners later in the week.

David & Mick Easterby Chasing Success On and Off the Track

David and Mick Easterby are aiming to have a runner at every Festival fixture, giving David added motivation to complete his sponsored charity cycle ride between each Yorkshire racecourse.

Their opening runner is Resdev Time at Pontefract, with apprentice Lewis Chalkley reunited with the improving filly.

The stable's extensive Festival squad also features Von Trotter at Ripon, J Street and Big Apple Jack at Doncaster, Tommo's Queen and Hicko's Lad at Redcar, Ring Of Gold, Shimmering Sands and Sara's Silver Girl, before later hopes including Lamlash Bay, Roman Crystal, So Grateful, Wavelength, Bear Lee and Draupnir.

Easterby is raising money for charity through his sponsored cycle, with donations already exceeding £4,300. The stable is also competing for the Festival's Best Turned Out Yard Award, sponsored by Sky Bet, with the promise of a pizza party providing extra motivation for the team.

Busy Schedule for Jo Mason

Jockey Jo Mason also has a packed Festival ahead.

She begins at Redcar aboard Nyman, trained by Roger Fell, before partnering several horses for the Easterby stable during the week, including Liverpool Star, Resdev Rocket and Roman Crystal.

O'Meara Eyes Festival Winners

David O'Meara's Festival team begins at Ripon on Saturday.

Prince Of The Seas heads there after two encouraging efforts, while Saxophonist could line up at Doncaster after suffering trouble in running on his latest start.

Other possible runners include Come On Over, Akkadian Thunder, Rajapour, Ice Show and French recruit Tupero.

Camacho Stable Looks to Build Momentum

Julie Camacho's team also has several interesting contenders.

Derrygarran Lad is expected to switch from the all-weather to turf at Redcar.

Last-time-out Leicester winner Bibendum is another horse expected to progress when he heads to Beverley, while Celtic Arrow, narrowly beaten on her first turf start, is due to line up at Thirsk.

With established stars, exciting juveniles and improving handicappers all set to take their chance, the stage is set for another highly competitive Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, sponsored by Sky Bet.

The action begins at Pontefract this evening and continues across Yorkshire until Saturday 25 July.