Middleham trainer Jason Ward strives to preserve local honour at Beverley on Wednesday when Peterhouse runs on Journal Ladies’ Day.
The former John Gosden inmate is one of eight declared runners for the £10,000 Listers Mercedes Benz of Hull Handicap at 4.10pm – the feature race at the most popular meeting of the season on the Westwood.
To add to the sense of expectancy, the Elusive Quality colt is owned by the trainer’s second cousin, Peter Ward, who hails from Beverley.
The North Yorkshire handler said: “The idea was to buy a horse for Peter for him to run at Beverley, so maybe it’s written in the stars.”
Peterhouse has been in fine form this summer and was an honourable second over nine furlongs at York last month, with the winner that day, Talyani, having since bolted up at Newmarket.
Ward said: “He ran a cracking race at York and the form has worked out very well.
“I hear they think a lot of him (Talyani) and if there was more pace on in that York race we might have even got a bit closer.
“He was very immature first time up this season, but he’s done a lot of growing up this summer.
“It’s obviously a big ask against the older horses, but he’s progressing all the time and obviously he has that big weight concession.
“We know he likes Beverley as he’s won there before. We also know he likes the mile-and-a-quarter trip, and we know he likes that sort of ground.
“I’m really hopeful.”
The going on the Westwood is currently good to firm, with watering taking place to maintain conditions.
Wednesday’s forecast is for sunny spells, with maximum temperatures of around 20C.
Gates open at 11.30am ahead of the first of seven races at 2.10pm, with tickets still available to buy on the door for the grandstand, paddock and course enclosures.
Beverley chief executive Sally Iggulden said: “Journal Ladies’ Day continues to be one of our most popular and colourful days of the year.
“Attracting a crowd of around 11,000, it brings new customers to the racecourse year after year, many who return on other days with families and friends.
“The 2015 renewal looks to bolster the excellent attendances that we have seen at the course this year, and our continuing partnership with the Hull Daily Mail and St Stephen’s Shopping Centre should ensure this is the case.”

ENDS