Paul Mulrennan column: Ticker the standout among Saturday rides

Redcar stages it’s most prestigious fixture of the year, with The William Hill Two-Year-Old Trophy taking centre-stage on an eight-race card. This juvenile Listed contest has evaded me so far, but we have witnessed some exceptional performances over the years. Who can forget Graham Lee sitting motionless aboard Limato in 2014? 

I have a full book of rides, with

Northern Ticker

(3.20pm) the standout in the feature. This has been the plan for quite a while now; he’s improved with every single run, and Michael (Dods) is happy with him going into the race. It was very soft when he won at Carlisle but, with a drying forecast over the next 24 hours, hopefully it’s not as soft at Redcar. Good to soft will be fine. I’m happy with the draw in stall 3, as being low looks the place to be. 

As I’ve said previously, Northern Ticker is still raw. He’s a big baby who will be all the better for another winter on his back. He’s achieved a lot in a short period of time, and I’m constantly mindful that he’ll be a better horse next year. We’re looking forward to Saturday, and hopefully he can go onto become another for his owners Sekura Group. 

Northern Express (3.55pm) has earned the step into Listed company for the Guisborough Stakes. He ran well in the Ayr Gold Cup (8th of 25), and moving back up to seven furlongs will suit. He hasn’t run a bad race all year, runner-up in the Hambleton, fifth in the Buckingham Palace, and winning the Moet & Chandon International. He won last year’s Thirsk Hunt Cup on soft, but a drying forecast will enhance his chance. 

I partner a couple later in the afternoon for Ed Bethell - Naepoint (4.30pm) and

Oosterpark

(5.05pm). Naepoint made all over C&D in August, so I’d be hopeful that he can run well in the Woodsmith Construction Group Straight-Mile Series Final. We’ve waited for this race ever since, and he’ll like the ground. It was bottomless when Oosterpark ran at Chester last time, so you can draw a line through that performance. He’s bred to stay – is a half-brother to a 2m1f winner – and had made all at Ripon previously. 

Dylan Cunha saddled his first Group winner (Prague) at Newmarket earlier in the week. He’s a top trainer, so I’ll look forward to getting back aboard

Faro De San Juan

(5.37pm) in the finale. I finished fourth of 16 on this gelding at Newmarket last November, so I know he’ll handle the conditions. Helpfully, he’s also back on his last winning mark. My other rides are

Harbour Snug

(1.35pm), Very Muddy Waters (2.10pm), and Berry Edge (2.45pm). 

I rode a double at Musselburgh on Wednesday with

Reel Her In

(Ben Haslam) and

Feeraas

(Archie Watson). Reel Her In was my first winner in the JP McManus silks, so I was absolutely thrilled with that. She’s only ran a handful of times and is bred to stay further as the first foal from JP’s Grade 1 Punchestown Festival winner Jer’s Girl. 

With lots going on this week, I haven’t had the chance to focus closely on the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but

Los Angeles

would be my idea of the likeliest winner. He has the class as an Irish Derby, and a Great Voltigeur winner, and you can’t help but think he’ll relish returning to 1m4f. He stays well and has Ryan Moore back in the saddle. 

You never know what is around the corner as a jockey. Poor Duran Fentiman suffered a nasty leg break heading down to post at Pontefract last week. I’d like to wish Duran well, hope he’s as comfortable as possible post-surgery, and for the speediest of recoveries. We look forward to welcoming you back into the weighing room Duran. 

Tickets are on sale for this year’s Lester Awards. The event, which takes place in association with World Pool, will be staged at Newbury Racecourse on Sunday 22nd December. The evening will be jointly hosted by Luke Harvey, and my wife Adele Mulrennan. It’s an honour and a privilege for Adele to be involved.