BEVERLEY RACES : Singeur Ready To Rock Beverley

Singeur attempts to go one place better than last year in the big race at Beverley on Saturday, the £12,000 Coachman Caravans Quality Handicap.

The likeable nine-year-old succumbed by just a length to Avon Breeze in the five-furlong dash 12 months ago and is back for another go on ‘The Big Saturday Raceday’.

Wetherby-based trainer Rebecca Bastiman said: “He just got chinned on the stands’ side last year, which was a bit unlucky.

“The ground was good that day, and hopefully if it’s something similar I’d be quite hopeful he’d have a bit of a chance.

“Singeur not really had much luck this year, but he’s never really had his ground and it was too soft for him at York on his last start.

“He’s in good form, though, and is on a good mark these days. He also did a nice piece of work (on Thursday morning).

“I think he’s still got the heart and the appetite for the battle.”

Bastiman also saddles John Caesar in the C.G.I. Handicap over eight and a half furlongs.

The five-year-old gelding has not yet won on turf but he turned in an encouraging display at Beverley on June 14, when second to Hydrant over a mile and a quarter.

Bastiman said: “John Caesar knows Beverley well but we could do with him winning on grass sooner rather than later.

“He ran a nice race last time over a mile and two (furlongs) but I think the step back in trip will definitely suit him better.

“He doesn’t win often, but he’s quite consistent and he clearly enjoys running up that hill at Beverley.”

The second leg of Beverley’s big double-header is due to start at 1.50pm, with the going on Friday morning described as good, good to soft in places, after three millimetres of rainfall on Thursday evening.

Always the biggest Saturday of the year at the popular East Yorkshire venue, gates open 11.30am, with the last of seven races at 5.50pm.