MICHAEL DODS has enjoyed a fine season so far and the trainer based at Denton, near Darlington, could have another big winner today in the 51st running of the John Smith’s Cup at York.

Sweet Lightning is the horse in question, and the five-year-old has already had a solid start since joining Dods after being bought from Lambourn trainer William Muir for £110,000 last October.

A winner at Chester on his first start for his current handler in May, he finished a gallant runner-up in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar next time out, when possibly hitting the front too soon.

His last run was arguably his best effort, when finishing fifth in a big field in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot.

He looked the likely winner two furlongs from home but didn’t appear to stay the onemile four-furlong trip and today’s ten furlongs should be perfect for him.

No horse over the age of five has been successful in this ultra-competitive heritage handicap and big-race jockey Philip Makin is very much looking forward to the task ahead.

“It was the first time I rode him in a race at Royal Ascot last time out and I was very impressed,” said Makin.

“I think York will suit him and he has experience in bigrace handicaps, which will hold him in good stead.

“The most important thing is the trip with him and I honestly wouldn’t swap him for anything in the race.”

With 20 runners in the lineup, a double-figure price should be appealing, with each-way betting paying out on the first four home.

The following race, the John Smith Silver Cup, a Listed race over the one-mile sixfurlong trip, and this could prove a good opportunity for Deauville Flyer to get back on the winning track at his favourite course.

Trained by Tim Easterby and due to be ridden by Robert Winston, he was the subject of a hefty gamble a fortnight ago in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle, but endured a nightmare journey throughout and could certainly be called unlucky.

Before that race he was twice a course winner and, if successful today, a trip back to the Knavesmire in August for the Ebor is on the cards.

The final race of the day is a two-year-old nursery over the minimum trip of five furlongs, and it is easy to make a case for all six runners.

However, Orchid Street, from the Ann Duffield yard, could be let in lightly on her handicap debut and makes plenty of appeal under jockey Royston Ffrench.

With the favourite, Bachelor Knight, trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by the man of the moment, Paul Hanagan, likely to go off at prohibitive odds, hopefully Orchid Street can return a nice-price winner in what looks to be a top-class day of racing.