Judicial is “in great form” as the classy sprinter attempts to win the £47,000 William Hill Beverley Bullet for a second time on Saturday.
Trained in Norton, North Yorkshire, by Julie Camacho, the Elite Racing Club-owned nine-year-old claimed glory in the prestigious sprint two years ago.
Judicial, who holds the five-furlong course record at Beverley, might be the oldest horse in a strong 12-runner field, but he looked as good as ever winning a Listed race at Chester on his last start.
Steve Brown, Camacho’s husband and assistant trainer, reports the gelded son of Iffraaj in top trim for the big Listed race – broadcast live on ITV Racing.
Brown said of the three-time Beverley winner:
“We’re really pleased with him, and it’s nice to be going back to Beverley after he won so well at Chester.
“This was always going to be a big month for him and this was always the plan if he came out of Chester OK.
“He’s in great form and is working away at home as well as ever, so hopefully he should go really well.
“He’s a bit of a creature of habit – Beverley and Chester are his favourite tracks – but he seemed to really come into himself before his win last time out.
“There’s loads of pace in the race, which will suit him. He’s got a small penalty (for his Chester victory), but hopefully, that won’t be an issue.
“The Beverley Bullet is a lovely race for the track and I’m sure there’ll be another good winner of it.
“Obviously we’re hoping it will be Judicial.”
Judicial is sponsor William Hill’s 4-1 favourite for the Beverley Bullet, for which the roll of honour includes top-class sprinters like Hellvelyn, Tangerine Trees, Borderlescott and Take Cover.
Camacho’s inmate will be joined in the line-up by last year’s scorer Dakota Gold, trained in Co Durham by Michael Dods.
Hambleton handler Kevin Ryan is represented by Justanotherbottle, who won the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon two weeks ago.
Tis Marvellous was sent off favourite for the 2019 William Hill Beverley Bullet and bids to improve upon his fifth-place finish for Lambourn trainer Clive Cox.
William Haggas sends Hurricane Ivor up from Newmarket – as does James Tate, who saddles three-time Beverley scorer Show Yourself and Wise Words.
Karl Burke is also double-handed with Significantly and Group Two winner Dandalla, while Ostilio and the locally-owned Tarboosh run for fellow Yorkshire trainer Paul Midgley.
Beaten Great St Wilfrid favourite Lampang (Tim Easterby) completes the field on a card that also features the curtain-raising £30,000 William Hill Silver Cup – the first of seven races – at 2.05pm.
Joe Pollak, Beverley marketing and partnerships manager, said:
“The team at Beverley Racecourse can’t wait to have racegoers back for the 2021 William Hill Beverley Bullet.
“It’s been great to look back at the past winners of this race and we know from speaking to customers they, like us, can’t wait to see the horses sprinting up the famous five furlongs on the Westwood.
“The race is always held in high regard by trainers and owners and we are delighted to have once again attracted a solid field of top-class horses.
“Ticket sales have been great for Saturday. There are currently still tickets available, but we advise racegoers to book in advance by visiting our website – www.beverley-racecourse.co.uk.”
