Toro is set to Strike with a win at Thirsk
Toro Strike should be able to make a victorious seasonal bow in the ebfstallions.com Michael Foster Conditions Stakes at Thirsk.
The four-year-old is taking a dip in class for his first run in 2021, having last been seen when finishing eighth behind One Master in the Group One Prix de la Foret last October.
That was not a bad introduction at the highest level, given the very deep ground at ParisLongchamp that day, marking a career-best effort which sees him start this campaign on a rating of 110.
Toro Strike had previously shown up well when fifth at Royal Ascot last summer, before landing an ultra-competitive Goodwood heat in fine style in July.
Richard Fahey then pitched him into Group Three company, and Toro Strike repaid that faith as he went down by just a neck in the Supreme Stakes - demonstrating his potential for a win at that level.
The Toronado colt kicks off his campaign in theoreti- cally easier company, and the conditions of the race certainly put him ahead of the field on ratings.
Golden Pass found Listed company a bit hot on her final outing of 2020, but the JW 4x4 Northallerton Handicap looks well within her remit.
A Beverley maiden winner in June, Golden Pass then followed up in a Windsor novice heat before tackling the Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket.
Beaten nine and a half lengths in fourth that day, Golden Pass should appreciate this notch back in calibre.
With the second day of the Scottish National meeting on hold until Sunday, the jump jockeys' title race rolls on to Bangor - where Harry Skelton is expected to gain a couple of valuable wins.
His brother Dan is supporting his championship challenge to the full, and the yard's Dog Of War could still be well treated in the Darlands Novices' Handicap Chase.
The seven-year-old has not seen a lot of racing for a horse of his age - and after initially shaping with a bit of promise over hurdles, the Soldier Of Fortune gelding seemed to take a bit of a backwards step.
However, switched to fences at Exeter this month, Dog Of War was a different horse as he ran out a ready three-and-a-quarter-length winner in a similar event to this.
Racing off a perch of 106, Dog Of War seemingly relished quicker ground as he turned in a fine round of fencing to prevail over two miles and three furlongs.
He inches up in trip this time and races off 6lb higher, but Dog Of War seemingly has plenty in the locker.
The case for Interconnected is not quite so clear, but he is worth one last chance in the Horseradish Maiden Hurdle.