Jag's speed is the answer

If it is horsepower you want in tomorrow's six-furlong £65,000 William Hill Trophy, the television highlight at York, then rely on Fayr Jag to prove too speedy for his opponents.

The Tim Easterby-trained son of Fayruz was burdened with an 8lb rise in the weights, incurred for a previous Ripon success, when narrowly beaten in the Coral Euro Bet Sprint Handicap at Newmarket last time out.

The headquarters race was a muddling affair, won by an eye-catching last-to-first run from Just James. The winner has been ante-post favourite for tomorrow's setpiece on the strength of that performance but he had only threequarters of a length in hand of Fayr Jag at Newmarket, with Fire Up The Band, who is also set to renew rivalry tomorrow, a further head away third.

I expect the same three to be involved in the shake-up, with Fayr Jag, meeting Just James on 3lb better terms, gaining revenge. Paul Cole's Baralinka, only a further neck away from the aforementioned trio at Newmarket, must also come into the reckoning, along with Alec Stewart's Selective. The last named failed narrowly to withstand the challenge of progressive Aldora in a competitive handicap at Goodwood last month.

Since taking over the reins from his famous father, Peter, Easterby jnr has shown that the family's innate understanding of horses - his uncle is Mick Easterby, who is still turning out a steady stream of winners - has been successfully handed on. Fayr Jag (nap) can emphasise the point.

In the race which precedes the big sprint - the Queen Mother's Cup for Lady Riders - Easterby jnr can pave the way for a Fayr Jag win with Bollin Nellie (2.45, next best).