BEVERLEY RACES : Mimic In Full Cry

King’s Mimic could further enhance his growing reputation in the Brian Yeardley Continental Two-Year-Old Trophy at Beverley on Saturday.

Leyburn trainer Ann Duffield has given the classy juvenile an entry in the £25,000 conditions stakes for colts and geldings following an accomplished course-and-distance success on May 4.

The son of Bushranger swept two and three-quarters of a length clear in a five-furlong maiden, having previously finished third on his debut in a hot-looking Beverley sprint in April.

Duffield said: “He’s also in at Pontefract on Friday but we’ve given him an entry in the Brian Yeardley as he’s done so well at Beverley already.

“He’s not unruly, far from it, in fact – all he does is just get excited a bit, that’s all.

“We had him gelded as a yearling because he was a handful – Bushrangers can be a bit like that – but he’s an absolute gent now and is going along really well.

“He’s a full-of-fun horse and loves racing, and I think that last maiden at Beverley was very good.

“He’s a nice horse and we’ve got high hopes for him.”

Having already proven his aptitude at Beverley, Duffield would be unfazed by stepping King’s Mimic up in trip later this summer.

“The good thing about him is that he can go either five or six furlongs, so he’s very versatile in that respect,” said the North Yorkshire handler.

“The Brian Yeardley could be a good option for him.”

King’s Mimic is one of 11 horses to have been confirmed for the Brian Yeardley, which has, in recent times, been a handy pointer towards races like the Windsor Castle Stakes and the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

First Selection (Simon Crisford), Furiant (Mark Johnston) and Gallipoli (Richard Fahey) would preserve unbeaten records if given the go-ahead to run, while Carrington (Charlie Appleby) looked impressive at Chelmsford earlier in the month.

Fahey could also saddle impressive course-and-distance winner Lathom, withNottingham scorer Sir Dudley entered by James Given.

Champion trainer Richard Hannon could give Spongy the chance to shine, with the unraced Kingthistle (Mick Easterby), Thee and Me (Bill Turner) and El Principe, trained in nearby Catwick by Les Eyre, completing the list of possible runners.

Alongside the Brian Yeardley, the historic Hilary Needler Trophy – the oldest privately sponsored race in the United Kingdom – is the dual highlight on Beverley’s seven-race card, which begins at 2.05pm.

The £25,000 fillies’ conditions stakes invariably throws up a young starlet for Royal Ascot and has this year received 15 confirmations.

Fahey is double-handed with Holy Grail and Kept Under Wraps, while Easton Angel (Michael Dods), Besharah (William Haggas), Opal Tiara (Mick Channon) and Strands Of Silk are also unbeaten.

Great Page from Hannon’s hard, New Road Side (Tony Coyle) and course winner Arranmore Girl (Nigel Tinkler) are other fillies who have already been triumphant in their short careers.

Beverley chief executive Sally Iggulden said: “I am delighted by the quality of entries in both of our famous two-year-old races.

“It’s especially good to see the Newmarket and Lambourn trainers looking to travel good horses here, and I very much hope that they will support us on the day.”