ACTION on the Knavesmire resumes this Friday evening with a six-race card headed by the British Stallion Studs EBF Lyric Fillies’ Stakes, a Listed race staged over an extended ten furlongs.

A field of seven will contest the £40,000 contest and Newmarket-based trainer, James Eustace, has high hopes for his charge, Tea Blossom.

She may not be the obvious choice for many racegoers come Friday but it would not be a surprise to her experienced trainer if she were to go very close.

Indeed, those who watched her latest run in Newcastle’s Hoppings Stakes could not fail but to be impressed by her strong challenge, despite being checked at a crucial time in the race.

The eventual winner was Covert Love who tasted Classic glory in the Darley Irish Oaks last Saturday.

Eustace reflected: “I genuinely felt that Tea Blossom was unlucky not be much closer at Newcastle. I don’t think she would have beaten the winner but she was last turning into the straight and really picked up well.

“She was then checked in her run and when she eventually got in the clear, she ran on to be fifth. It probably cost her a place. The winner has gone on to win the Irish Oaks so it looks strong form for the grade.”

If Tea Blossom could win or even be placed on Friday it would be a case of mission accomplished for Eustace and her owner Major Wyatt.

The pair picked up the daughter of Rail Link out of the Juddmonte draft at last year’s horses-in-training sale at Tattersalls for 30,000gns.

A winner in France last season, she hails from the family of Trade Fair, Vortex and Danefair.

Eustace added: “We picked her up at the horses-In-training sale with the aim of getting some ‘black type’. She wasn’t expensive but she comes from a good family of Juddmonte’s and if we were to make her a stakes winner or placed it would increase her value as a broodmare. The eventual plan is for Major Wyatt to breed from her.

“She is very straightforward – a real pleasure. The track and ground should suit at York and we hope she can get in the first three.”

Three of the seven fillies; My Spirit, Crystal Zveda and Pamona also hold entries in the Group One Darley Yorkshire Oaks to be held at the Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival on Thursday 20 August.

Victory in this Listed event would provide an ideal stepping stone for that Group 1 run over two furlongs further, as demonstrated by the 2014 winner, Tasaday, who returned in August to finish in third place.

Day one of York’s two day meeting gets underway at 6pm. Saturday’s seven-race card is scheduled to get begin at 1.45pm.