Beverley preview: Kiltara can exploit drop in class

Trainer Mark Johnston is enjoying a tremendous season, and Kiltara can provide the Middleham-based handler with another success in the 1m 4f handicap on today’s eight-race card at Beverley (16.15).

Johnston has sent out two of the last four winners of the contest, including Leaderene to land the spoils 12 months ago, and in Kiltara has an unexposed and improving filly.

After shaping with promise when a not knocked about third on her debut at Chelmsford, the daughter of Lawman opened her account in good style at the same venue when travelling strongly and making all to score readily by 1 1/2 lengths.

Kiltara was allotted an opening handicap mark of 85 on the back of that success and ran well off it when fourth in a 1m 2f class 2 contest at Goodwood.

The three-year-old is now able to race in this lower grade class 4 affair off 2lb lower, and looks sure to appreciate the step up in trip.

Johnston looks to have found the perfect opening for Kiltar to get back to winnings ways and, with Joe Fanning in the saddle, she can get the better of main market rival Mezajy do just that.

In the 5f handicap (16.50), Point North looks the one to be on now returned to the scene of his last success.

The John Balding trained eight-year-old is not the easiest to win with, but showed what he is capable of on a going day when running on strongly to score by 1 1/2 lengths over course and distance four starts back.