Saturday, 11 June 2011
York Review
The Easterby family dominated proceedings at York when veteran trainer Mick and his nephew Tim both enjoyed doubles at their local track.
Mick Easterby missed his first meeting on the Knavesmire for many years after being laid low by an ear infection, but had the best possible pick-me-up in the shape of winners Barren Brook and Nameitwhatyoulike, taking his tally for the season at York alone to five.
Barren Brook, gambled down to 11-2 favourite, landed a smooth success by three-and-a-quarter lengths from Negotiation in the William Birch & Sons Ltd Stakes.
The trainer's son and assistant David said: "Dad had a bit of a dizzy spell so he went to the doctors and he was told he'd got an inner ear infection. I don't think he's missed a meeting at York for years. He's got Royal Ascot to go to and my wedding next Saturday, so he has to get himself right."
Nameitwhatyoulike (14-1) completed the trainer's brace in the SKF Rous Selling Stakes, opening his account with a three-quarters of a length call over Aquasulis. It also completed a double for jockey Paul Mulrennan, who went on to a treble thanks to Ed Dunlop's Dragonera (15-2) in the Betfair Classified Stakes.
Tim Easterby, the son of retired trainer Peter, Mick's brother, made it a day to remember with victories from Bollin Judith and Medici Time.
Bollin Judith (12-1) overcame a late scare to take the Bond Tyres Stakes over an extended two miles. Easterby revealed it was a close call whether to run after she was found to have been bitten on her chest, but she collared favourite Hawk Mountain and long-time leader Mountain Hiker to win by a neck and a head in the hands of David Allan.
The trainer said: "She's five and is just starting to come to herself now. It's been a long journey. She was a very immature filly. We found she had a bite on her chest near her girth so it was touch and go whether we brought her."
Church Music (15-8 favourite) lived up to his billing with a taking victory on his debut in the Acturis EBF Maiden Stakes. Always near the front rank, he was sent about his business by Graham Gibbons to lead over a furlong out and scored with the minimum of fuss by a length and three-quarters.
Trainer Kevin Ryan said: "He's a smashing horse. He's very good and he's going to improve. He was held up a little bit and we gave him time to grow, and said to John (Fretwell, owner) let's run him as we was getting a bit bored at home."