Outlining his plans for the week ahead, Middleham based Micky Hammond is due to have plenty of runners and is looking forward to the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Handicap Stakes at Redcar.

“I think My Boy Max has a right chance on Sunday, the trip is right, Aiden Brookes rides him all the time and claims an extra 3lbs riding for his own stable. I think there’s a lot in his favour.”

Should the rain come, Micky is also keen on the chances of Mandega at Doncaster on Thursday, July 27.

Micky continued,

“I think the festival is great, there’s such variety of tracks in Yorkshire and Malton and Middleham are well served by those racecourses and there’s always a knowledgeable crowd in Yorkshire, it’s a terrific festival and a great idea.”

With two likely runners at Ripon on Saturday and a runner at Redcar on Sunday, Adrian Keatley is looking forward to the possibility of running Kihava at York as a prep run for the Ebor.

“He’s short of a couple of pounds to get in, he’s at 98 now so we might need another couple of pounds.”

Of the Summer Festival, Adrian said,

“It’s a fantastic way to showcase racing in Yorkshire.  I wasn’t aware of the North/South divide until I moved over here but we’ve got some great courses and some brilliant horses being trained up here.”

David Easterby outlined the yard’s runners for the week.

“Keep Warm won a nursery at Pontefract at the last meeting, he’s gone up 6lbs, but we’re running in a 0-60 with a 6lb penalty.  He’ll never be able to run in that class of race again so I think he’s got a good chance.”

“We opted to go to Pontefract with Bay Of Hope, he won with Dave Allan at Redcar and finished third at Ayr and I think he goes there with a cracking chance.”

“Our Beverley specialist Casilli will go to Ripon, she’s dropped down the weights a little bit as she hasn’t performed quite as well this year as she has done previously, so we’re looking for her to put up a good account.  She’s had a break and a massage to freshen up.”

Describing the festival, David said,

“Yorkshire people are proud people and like to say they are from Yorkshire and therefore support Yorkshire.  Branding for Yorkshire tracks during the Summer Festival week is a really good thing.”

William Easterby explained his father’s enthusiasm for the Summer Festival week.

“We’ve got some course specialists running at the Yorkshire meetings, horses that seem to like it in Yorkshire and a trainer that doesn’t like to leave Yorkshire so it’s great!”

“Copper Knight runs in the sprint at Pontefract, only a pound higher than when he won at York, along with Mattice who was third to him and will be suited by a stiff five furlongs.”

Three course specialists head to Ripon on Saturday in Dark Jedi, Glendown and Garden Oasis who have all previously won at the course.

“Gibside who won the apprentice race at York, goes to Redcar on Sunday, he looks a progressive stayer so I’m hoping he can do it again.”

“Ugo Gregory is a standing feature at Beverley, he won there last time out and if the ground is soft he’s good to be on side with.”

Moving ahead to York, William is looking forward to The Pearly Cow Handicap Stakes for Gentleman Amateur Jockeys.

“It’s a big deal in our house with my brother Thomas and I riding.  David (Easterby) has already claimed one of us to ride, that isn’t his godson!  Thomas will be riding for David and Uncle Michael, so I’ll be trying very hard to beat them!”

“We really enjoy having runners at the festival, it happens at a time of year when our horses tend to be running well and we’ve been lucky enough to be the leading trainer on a couple of occasions.”

Ruth Carr takes a previous course and distance winner in Rhythm to Pontefract on Friday night for the Dreams Of Fleetwood Mac After Racing Handicap.

“She’s still a pound higher than her last winning mark and she’s got a bad draw but hopefully she can overcome that and run well.

“Saturday at Ripon we’ve got Copper and Five running, it’s courses for horses, he’s still well handicapped at his best and wasn’t beaten far last time out.”

“Rockin Rosa runs at Redcar on Sunday, she’s a bit of a madam but she’s definitely got ability and she needs to show it on course.  There’s no reason why she can’t run well.”

“Hostelry also runs at Redcar, she’s ultra consistent, she’s only won twice but is rarely out of the placings and a mile and one furlong should suit her.  She’s dropping in grade but does need the race to divide to get in.”

“Spanish Angel goes to Beverley.  He’s won three this year and is better on the all weather, but with a bit of luck hopefully he can be in the mix.”

“At Doncaster on Thursday we’re dropping Touch Wood back to six furlongs and putting some cheek pieces on which we hope will get him the win.  He’s been running well without winning so we hope this is the answer.”

Commenting on the festival, Ruth said,

“We like to stay close to home to support our local tracks, it’s better for the horses with less travelling, it’s economical for us and with staffs’ time and we get well looked after in Yorkshire and everyone enjoys a day out.  We’re well served by lots of courses within an hour and a half and the festival week brings this all together.”

The Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, sponsored by Sky Bet begins at Pontefract tomorrow night, Friday, July 21 and runs through to York on Saturday, July 29.

Jack Berry House in Malton will be open between 2pm and 4pm on Tuesday, July 25, conducting tours of the rehabilitation centre.