AGENT GIBBS SET FOR SWIFT REAPPEARANCE

MIDDLEHAM-based trainer Mark Johnston has enjoyed a fruitful season at York and is aiming for more home county success there when, Yorkidding, returns to Knavesmire on Friday to tackle new feature race on the card.

The Stan James-sponsored handicap offers a £50,000 prize and is run over the Ebor trip of a mile and six furlongs. It has attracted a field seven progressive stayers, including the Johnston-trained daughter of Dalakhani.

Yorkidding won a competitive handicap at the Dante Festival over a mile and a half and also won at Sandown over tomorrow’s trip. Her last two runs have seen her finish a close fourth at Ascot and second at Chester.

Charlie Johnston, representing his father Mark, said: “She goes well at the track having won at the Dante Festival and has been a consistent filly this season.

“She has been set some stiff assignments during the summer including Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and the Ebor Meeting so this looks more realistic.

“She stays well, seems in good form and should run a solid race.”

Yorkidding’s rivals include Agent Gibbs, winner of four of his last five starts and the Richard Hannon-trained Who Dares Wins who goes in search of a four-timer.

Agent Gibbs won his latest race only two days ago at Leicester and connections are hoping to run him back quickly but will ensure everything is well before fully committing.

Sam Stronge, assistant to his wife Ali, said: “Agent Gibbs has been a star this season. Obviously he only won on Tuesday so we will see how he is today just before we confirm that he definitely runs. But with such a valuable contest, we wanted to support it.

“He has been progressive all season. If he carries on the way he is going, the form he is in, he should run a big race. The soft ground is not ideal. He coped with it at Leicester but trip-wise, certainly not a problem.”

Johnston also saddles Furiant in the TSG Nursery handicap over six furlongs. The son of Invincible Spirit won on debut at Musselburgh in May and has been a consistent performer for connections this summer.

Charlie Johnston added: “The handicapper probably has Furiant where he wants him but he has run some good races this season. He is a solid horse and I would expect him to run his race again.”

Another interesting contest on the seven-race card is the Parsonage Hotel and Cloisters Spa Handicap over five furlongs. A maximum field of 20 will face the starter in this £20,000 event including York regulars Judge N Jury, Captain Dunne and Blithe Spirit.