Top Northern jockey Paul Mulrennan writes an exclusive racing column for The Northern Echo

 

Fighting chance

Fire Fighting has a massive each-way chance in the John Smith’s Cup at York tomorrow.

He was handed a wide draw at Royal Ascot last time but still managed a fast-finishing third in the Wolferton. He ran a blinder.

The gods have smiled on us this time with the perfect position of stall four.

Mark Johnston’s horses can’t stop winning and this one is as tough as they come.

The other one I want to pick out from York is Line Of Reason, who lines up in the John Smith’s City Walls Stakes.

He broke the track record when winning a Listed race at Cork on his penultimate start.

He subsequently finished second at The Curragh over six furlongs, but I think he is an out and out sprinter and this return to five furlongs will suit him. Paul Midgley’s horses are in great form and he has a big chance.

 

Ocean journey can pay off

After the John Smith’s Cup, I need to get moving. Fast. I am off to Hamilton for four rides. There is less than four hours before my first ride at 7.15pm and the journey takes around three hours. So I’ll be praying there are no hold-ups.

It’s a long old day as I’ll have been riding out for Michael Dods at his stables near Darlington in the morning too.

Hopefully it will all be worth it when I get to Hamilton and I am keen on the chances of Ocean Sheridan in the six-furlong handicap.

He’s been knocking on the door all season and this race looks very winnable. For him, this is Derby day and hopefully he can prove too good for most of these, if not all of them.

 

Doyle can only boost Beau’s chances

The big race of the day is the Darley July Cup at Newmarket and I can’t see past Brazen Beau.

He raced on his own when just getting nailed by Undrafted in the Diamond Jubilee last time. A repeat of that will see him win but he also has the bonus of James Doyle on top now. James is riding out of his skin right now and I know he’s been extremely impressed by the horse in his work.

 

Remember the Name is Rio

I’ve got two for the notebook. My Name Is Rio won at Ayr on Monday and the dropping back to five furlongs is the key to him, while Nameitwhatyoulike, who won at Pontefract on Tuesday is a horse on the upgrade and should keep improving.

 

Thinking of Connor

You may have read about poor Connor Beasley, who fractured his skull in a horrible fall at Wolverhampton on Tuesday.

I know him pretty well as he’s based with my trainer Michael Dods. He is a great lad and is one of the real up and coming jockeys.

He works very hard and is willing to learn and soak up as much information as he can. It’s a desperate time for his friends and family and everyone is praying he makes a full recovery.

* Paul is sponsored by leading racing broadcaster Racing UK, which recently launched its Day Pass. The new service enables racing fans to watch a day’s action for a one-off fee of £10. Visit racinguk.com/daypass for more.