Beverley Racecourse
Beverley Racecourse

All the information you need ahead of day three of the Sky Bet GRIY Summer Festival at Beverley


It's Carnival Time as the Sky Bet Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival moves on to Beverley on Monday and Ian Ogg previews the action.

It's Carnival Night at Beverley Racecourse on Monday July 24 as the Sky Bet Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival rolls into town so not only will racegoers be able to enjoy the expected fare on the track, but also Carnival Floats, Samba Dancers, the 'energetic' New York Band, colourful face art and more.

I'm not entirely sure if being 'energetic' is a good thing in a band or not. I suppose it makes for a livelier entertainment than if they were statuesque and provides something to watch if the music isn't wholly absorbing (which I'm sure it will be).

The Samba Dancers will 'knock your socks off' apparently so remember to pack a spare pair before you head up to the Westwood where racing gets underway at 5.50 with the Play Sporting Life Pick 7 For Free Now Maiden Handicap

It's not all fun, fun, fun and it will be an emotional evening for trainer Tony Coyle who runs two in the second staging of a race run in memory of his partner, Jaimie Kerr. One of the pair, Maureb, was only beaten a length last year despite finding herself short of room and lines up in her attempt to go two better from a 6lb lower mark.

If you're making a day of it, there's ample time before racing to head into Beverley itself and enjoy the market town, replete with cobbled streets and charming courtyards not to mention the stunning Beverley Minster which is, according to their website, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in Europe. 

I've been, and while my architectural knowledge verges on ignorance, it is a stunning building and well worth a visit if you find yourself in town while those who watched Victoria on ITV can entertain themselves by trying to recognise the parts of the Minster which made the final cut.

I don't know if the filming made it as far as The White Horse Inn but I was told it was an essential part of my guided tour as we stopped for some liquid refreshment in the 16th century original, gas-lit pub, otherwise known to the locals as Nellies.

Depending on your choice of refreshment, it might encourage you to back Sambuca Nera in the opener but personally, I wouldn't indulge in either. 

If you are indulging then it's worth remembering that Sky Bet's Top Price Promise will be available for all races at Beverley from 930am while there will also be FOUR PLACES on offer instead of three (1/5 the odds) in the 6:55 if 10 or more run. 

Click here for all the latest prices at Beverley.

Horse To Watch


Special Purpose – 6.25

American stallion Scat Daddy has made a few waves on these shores in recent years with the likes of Lady Aurelia and Acapulco, not to mention Caravaggio.

Special Purpose has a long way to go to match their achievements obviously but she impressed on debut at Lingfield and trainer William Haggas has handed her an entry in the Group Two Sky Bet Lowther Stakes.

The form of her maiden isn't the strongest and she'll have to concede 7lbs to her rivals in the Carnival Night Fillies' Novice Stakes but she could hardly have won any more easily and may just be up to the task of booking her ticket at York. 

Paying for the petrol


It's roughly a 600 mile and 12 hour round trip for Black Prince to get to Beverley from his stables in Mosterton, Dorset for the opener and the pressure is firmly on the Falco gelding to do his bit for trainer Anthony Honeyball's Flat team.

That team numbers just two and the other member, Jukebox Jive, won for the third time this season at Newbury on Friday. John Egan was on board that day and takes the ride on Black Prince, as he has done on all six career starts. 

Honeyball states on his website that: "While jump racing remains our core business I am enjoying training Jukebox Jive and Black Prince so we are keen to increase the yard's involvement on the Flat through the Summer."

Perhaps Black Prince will be able to advertise his trainer's credentials as well as covering his travel costs.

Best Bet – JENNIES GEM 8.55 Beverley


Click here to place your bets at Sky Bet

A fair bit has to be taken on trust in the 'lucky last' but if you can't make it up as you go along, what can you do?

Jennies Gem was beaten by a combined total of 43.5 lengths on his first three starts over six and seven furlongs and didn't fare that much better over the latter trip on his handicap debut when beating two home.

That was at a sharp track in Catterick though and the Mount Nelson gelding could well be suited by Beverley's stiff finish now stepping up in distance given the way that he's been outpaced in all starts to date.

He may just be slow but underrated trainer Ollie Pears has his team in fantastic form having struck with four of his last six runners at the time of writing so if this four-year-old is ever going to step up to the plate, then now seems as likely a time as any.

Pears sends out more winners at Beverley than almost any other track and shows a handsome level stakes profit at the East Riding venue and it wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see that boosted by Jennies Gem; the market should guide.

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