Ruth Carr revved up for Strensall Stakes with Sovereign Debt

Ruth Carr is looking to Sovereign Debt to bounce back from a lacklustre effort and add another Group Three win to his CV in the Betfred Mobile Strensall Stakes at York.

The eight-year-old has won three of his five starts since joining Carr in the spring, claiming the All-Weather Mile Championship before adding a Sandown Group Two and a Group Three event at Epsom to his tally.

Sovereign Debt could finish only fifth behind Mutakayyef at Ascot last time, but as the winner sustained a season-ending injury in the course of that victory, Carr is just grateful to have her stable star remaining fit and well.

She said: "If someone had told me at the start of the year I would be training him and won two Group races, I would have laughed.

"He's so straightforward to train. He battles well and he really wears his heart on his sleeve. He is everything you would want in a racehorse.

"It was a bit of a disappointing run last time, but what happened to the winner that day puts things into perspective. At least we still have our horse fit to race six weeks later.

"He doesn't keep any secrets from anyone and he does have to give weight away against some of those younger up-and-coming horses, so we'll see how we go.

"Since they did the drainage work at York, it does dry up pretty quickly so I'd be expecting good ground which will be fine for him."

At the other end of the scale to the experienced Sovereign Debt, Make Time will be having just his third start in Pattern company after chasing home Beat The Bank at Goodwood.

Trainer David Menuisier felt the track may have gone against his three-year-old that time but believes the Knavesmire will provide a more suitable test, particularly as Make Time will be getting 7lb or more from all but one of his rivals.

Menuisier said: "He looks like he's improving all the time, he ran very well at Goodwood despite not really handling the track - he was just a bit hesitant coming down the hill there.

"The ground was also very holding, although it was the same for everyone, but with the better ground at York and back on a flatter track, hopefully he can keep improving.

"He is stepping up in trip here but when he ran at Sandown, I thought he was running on at the end, so the extra furlong could be in his favour.

"I don't think he is a true miler, he tends to do his best work towards the end of his races so hopefully it will suit him.

"It is a tough race, but they all are at this level. I think with the weight-for-age allowance, he is not badly in, but it will be very tough against these older horse who have experience of running in these types of race.

"Obviously he will need to step up on his previous form, but hopefully he can continue improving."