FAHEY DUO FACE 12 RIVALS IN SKY BET DASH - HATTAN AMONG FIVE RUNNERS FOR SKY BET YORK STAKES

Richard Fahey will be double-handed in the £50,000 Sky Bet Dash at York on Saturday, July 29, with Wyatt Earp and Knot In Wood set to face 12 opponents in the six-furlong sprint.

The pair, who have been strongly supported in recent days, come into the race in winning form. Wyatt Earp (8st 8lb), who will be partnered by Royston Ffrench, landed a handicap over course and distance on July 15, edging out Beaver Patrol by a neck, while Knot In Wood (8st 2lb), the mount of Paul Hanagan, stormed home by three lengths in a six-furlong handicap at Haydock on July 16.

The trainer said this morning: "Both horses are in great nick ahead of the Sky Bet Dash. I can't fault them as they both won last time out. They're well and improving.

"I couldn't split them to be honest. I don't know how Paul [Hanagan] came to the decision to ride Knot In Wood - it must have been very tough. I think he just went for the one with the lowest weight, but it's not a decision I would have liked to have made!

"The ground is quite quick at York, and I'd love some rain in truth, but they've won on fast ground before. I'm hoping for a big run from both."

The opposition in Saturday's valuable contest includes the Rae Guest-trained Yomalo (9st 9lb), fourth last time in the Group Three Cuisine De France Summer Stakes over six furlongs at York on July 14, and Fantasy Believer (8st 6lb), trained by John Quinn, fourth to Bayeux in the John Smith's Scottish Stewards' Cup Handicap over six furlongs at Hamilton on July 14.

Hattan, last seen finishing eighth behind David Junior in the Group One Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on July 8, is one of five declared runners for the £100,000 Group Two Sky Bet York Stakes, over an extended 10 furlongs at York, on Saturday, July 29.

The Clive Brittain-trained colt had earlier run fourth to Shamdala in the Group One Gran Premio di Milano at San Siro, Italy, a fine effort considering his saddle slipped forward soon after leaving the stalls.

Brittain commented: "He's come out of the Eclipse fine. He never got into the race there so he didn't have a hard time. He's worked well since and looks like he's back to his best form.

"In Milan, Kerrin McEvoy was lucky to stay on when the saddle slipped. I'm not saying we would have beaten the winner, but we would have been a good second.

"The trip and ground won't be a problem at York and Tom Queally rides. He's got a lot of ability and we'll certainly get some of the prize money up there!"

His rivals include the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Best Alibi, third to Dylan Thomas in the Irish Derby at the Curragh on July 2, and Yasoodd, trained by Mick Channon, sixth last time out to Araafa in the Group One St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 20.

The line-up is completed by Crocodile Dundee, making his comeback after a long absence for the Luca Cumani stable, and the filly Zayn Zen, trained by Michael Jarvis.

Sky Bet, who sponsor the first six races on Saturday's York card, will be betting to 110 per cent on both the Sky Bet Dash and Sky Bet York Stakes, as well as the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot.
This exciting promotion from one of the UK's leading betting and gaming companies and specialists in interactive TV betting offers punters fantastic value on these three big races.

Prices are guaranteed between 8.30am and 10.15am on the interactive TV service, accessible through the red button on your Sky Digital remote, and guaranteed for a minimum of 15 minutes after 8:30am on the Sky Bet Debit
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To see the races live then there are badges and tickets available on the day, priced from £17 to £29. The gates open at 11am with a first race at 2.10pm