FAREER loves York and he returns to the Knavesmire on Thursday in an attempt to win the Listed totesport Hambleton Handicap for the second year running, and, while he is not wearing his customary visor, it is worth noting that he had no headgear 12 months ago.
Ed said:"Fareer went to Dubai and had four races, finishing second in the Group 2 Zabeel Mile, but he is 7lb higher than when winning this race last year and does not have as good a draw as he did then either. However, he is in great form and you can forget his last run in the Doncaster Mile as they went no pace and it did not suit him."
We also send a couple down to Salisbury on Thursday, Reem Star in the fillies handicap and Zafarana for the fillies maiden. Ed said:"Zafarana is a lovely big filly who would win any beauty contest, but she was immature last year and had a few niggling problems, so it was only 18 days ago that we were finally able to launch her. She went to Sandown and ran a smashing race to finish sixth behind Arizona Jewel, so it will be interesting to see how that winner shapes in the Musidora at York. Our filly will have learned plenty from that first run, and we like her a lot."
"Reem Star won well on the polytrack at Wolverhampton at the end of last year and she has been given a rating of 72 for her first handicap, though again it looks competitive."