Franny Norton is out for revenge at the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival this year as he hits the ground running with seven rides at Ripon this afternoon to kick-start the event.

Norton was pipped at the post last year for the title of leading Festival jockey title by PJ McDonald.

Four of those rides today are for his boss Mark Johnston, leading trainer at the festival for the last two years and not looking to give up that title any time soon.

Asked if a seven-time is in sight tomorrow, he said: “That would be all right wouldn’t it!

“I think my best chance for the boss would be Viscount Loftus, he’s a smart youngster, but you can never rule out Sennockian Star, he’s in the feature race the Ripon Bell Ringer Handicap.

“He’s a legend of a horse who never runs anything but a genuine race, heart on his sleeve he’ll give you everything.

“I also have an interesting ride in the first with Placebo Effect for Ollie Pears, I’d be hopeful he would be in the mix. I’ll be trying to get my head in front on the leaderboard on the first day of the festival, they can all try and catch me after that!”

Norton’s love for the job is infectious, after many years in the sport he’s as passionate as ever. He is also one of the jokers of the weighing room, the day certainly passes quicker with him around.

Gates open at Ripon for the first day of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival at 11.30am, first race is at 2.20pm.