YORK SATURDAY

FRAN Berry will be hoping to make the most of an attractive career opportunity at Ralph Beckett’s stable and landed the feature race at York on Saturday, the weddingmates.co.uk Grand Cup, on the grey mare Moonrise Landing.

Roger Charlton’s Northumberland Plate winner Quest For More led two furlongs out for Jamie Spencer but Moonrise Landing caught him late on and scored by three-parts of a length with Angel Gabrial well beaten off.

This looks smart form, bearing in mind Quest For More went on to finish ninth in the Melbourne Cup. Moonrise Landing was making it five wins off the reel on various surfaces and is considered a Gold Cup mare by owner Peter Savill, though the ultimate test may wait until next year when she is six. The Northumberland Plate will be this summer’s objective, depending upon the handicapper, followed by a possible tilt at the Melbourne Cup.

Trainer George Baker is in good form and his Harry Hurricane appreciated the return to five furlongs in the valuable Spring Sprint handicap, just outpointing Bogart and Kimberella by a neck and the same in the hands of Robert Winston.

Another to return to his best was Charlie Hills’ Jallota, who took the opening seven-furlong handicap quite tidily, having been backed from 6/1 to 9/2 favourite. He may have to step up to listed company again.