EVERGREEN trainer, Geoff Oldroyd, has his sights set on another big-race prize at York with three-year-old colt Pocklington in line for a shot at the Churchill Tyres Supporting Macmillan Handicap.

Oldroyd, who trains at Yapham Grange, just outside the Yorkshire market town which lends the horse its name, enjoyed three Group 3 triumphs on the Knavesmire with Ladies Are Forever, who was owned by the late businessman, owner-breeder, Reg Bond.

Ladies Are Forever has gone on to a secondary career as a broodmare and one of her sons is Pocklington. This Saturday the unexposed sprint prospect by Blue Point will line up at York carrying the same colours that his Dam helped make famous, those of the Bond Thoroughbred Limited. 

Pocklington’s involvement in the £100,000 six-furlong race is especially poignant as it is sponsored by the tyre company Reg Bond established, one which remains a highly successful family concern.

The horse won his first two starts – both at Newcastle on the all-weather – and then confirmed his potential by finishing fifth of 14 when stepped up in grade for the Listed Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury last month.

For his next assignment, Pocklington will make a journey of less than 20 miles to York this weekend after a pre-race gallop on Wednesday morning.

Oldroyd said: “He had his final good blow at Malton. He worked really nice – I was very pleased with him

“He’s a really nice horse. I think, as time goes on, he’ll get better and better. Doctor Khan Junior, his half-brother, has gone from strength to strength. 

“This horse is the same. He’s still a bit baby-fied yet and he’s learning. But he has learnt a lot from that race at Newbury. It was his first run on turf as well and he just got a little bit lost when they crowded him a bit and then he got going again. 

“I would still say he is unexposed and he is on the upgrade. We’re very hopeful of a big run.”

Jockey Harry Russell continues his association with Pocklington and Oldroyd said: “He listens to you and does exactly – if possible – what you tell him. We’ve had a good association so far; we’ve had quite a lot of winners with Harry on. He’s a good lad and a good rider.”

One concern for connections going into the race is the unsettled weather picture.

Oldroyd said: “He wouldn’t want soft ground, but we are hoping that we don’t get the rain that’s forecast and it stays good.”

Fellow Yorkshire-based trainers John and Sean Quinn also have fingers crossed that the showers stay away in the lead-up to the race as their charge, Twilight Romance,  is another that’s suited by a sounder surface.

The gelding is set to return to the York a year on from winning a maiden contest over course and distance.

Sean Quinn said: “He’s training well, he’s had a light campaign so far. I think he’s a horse who’s going to be most effective on good ground or faster, so I’m keeping my eye on the weather. But if conditions came up right, I hope he’d be a player in a good race.”

York’s seven-race card, which also includes the Listed £70,000 Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup as a black-type highlight, gets underway on Saturday with the prestigious Queen Mother’s Cup for lady amateur jockeys.