Ridge Ranger will attempt to become the first filly since Look Busy in 2008 to win the Totepool Beverley Bullet on Saturday.
Preston trainer Eric Alston will step the four-year-old daughter of Bushranger into Listed class after she defeated a strong field in a five-furlong sprint at Goodwood towards the end of July.
Alston knows a thing or two about speedy thoroughbreds, having been responsible for Nunthorpe and Haydock Sprint Cup winner Reverence.
Ridge Ranger has a long way to go to match such exploits, of course, but her trainer is convinced she has plenty going for her in the £50,000 Bullet – the centrepiece of Beverley’s richest ever raceday.
“She’ll not be as good as Reverence but she’s a nice filly and is getting there,” said the Lancashire handler.
“We wouldn’t want the ground to be firm, but that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. She’ll be fine if there’s any rain around, too.
“We dropped her back to five furlongs at Goodwood and it worked well. I thought that was a good little race and she did it nicely.
“She only just gets home over six furlongs, but Beverley is a stiff five (furlongs) so we think the race will suit her nicely.
“She’s got a little bit to find against some of the others, but she’s improving and you wouldn’t put it past her to improve some more.
“Hopefully she’s a black-type filly with her best days in front of her.”
Saturday’s £136,000 card is due to begin at 1.45pm, with the going currently good, good to soft in places.
Beverley also throws open its doors for a top fixture on Sunday, with £60,000 in prize-money up for grabs.
TOTEPOOL BEVERLEY BULLET – THE LAST TEN WINNERS
2014 Pearl Secret (2-1f) David Barron/Jamie Spencer
2013 Stepper Point (10-1) William Muir/Martin Dwyer
2012 Borderlescott (8-1) Robin Bastiman/Frederik Tylicki
2011 Tangerine Trees (10-1) Bryan Smart/Tom Eaves
2010 Mister Hughie (7-1) Mick Channon/Sam Hitchcott
2009 Exceptional Art (16-1) David Nicholls/Franny Norton
2008 Look Busy (11-2) Alan Berry/Slade O’Hara
2007 Hellvelyn (4-1) Bryan Smart/Ted Durcan
2006 Baltic King (7-2) Hughie Morrison/Kevin Darley
2005 Chookie Heiton (7-1) Ian Semple/Tom Eaves
