Richard Fahey: Knock on ‘Wood

Star columnist Richard Fahey talks us through his runners for York on Friday and around the country on Saturday.

Gabrial’s King is our first runner at York on Friday in the Sky Bet First Race Special Stakes. He ran well when second at Haydock last time but is drawn wider than I’d have liked in stall 12. He’s won here before and everything is right, trip, track and ground. He could run a good race despite the draw.

We’ve put blinkers on Suegioo in the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup. He’s the laziest horse I’ve ever trained – but he’s a loveable one too and is a real favourite in the yard. On bits and pieces of his form he isn’t without a chance here but he does need to put his best foot forward.

In contrast I’m taking the visor off Birchwood in the Sky Bet City Of York Stakes. Everything went wrong for him at Goodwood last time, through nobody’s fault, he just stumbled at the start, lost ground, and his race was over. This is a warm contest but my fellow is in good order right now and would have an each-way chance at a big price.

If I’m being honest I’d be surprised if Abiento was up to winning a British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes but the owner is keen to have a go and we have nothing to lose with £60,000 in prize-money on offer.

Another Touch has the coffin box of 19 to contend with in the Nationwide Accident Repair Services Stakes which is so frustrating. Trip, track, ground, it’s all right for him, he won at Newmarket last time and while it’s not impossible for him to follow up from out there, it will be very difficult.

Onto Saturday now and the forecast rain is very much in Imshivalla’s favour for …

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