Fairley takes York opener

Jet-set Greg Fairley partnered the opening winner at York on Namibian (8-1) just hours after riding a winner at Dundalk on Friday evening.

Fairley was in Ireland for three rides for Mark Johnston, winning the 9.00pm on Realisation, and it was the Middleham handler who provided him with an impressive success in the Coral Backing Sue Ryder Care EBF Maiden Stakes.

Settled behind the pace-setting King Ferdinand, he put the race to bed well over a furlong out, beating Nicola’s Dream and Escala.

“He got unbalanced at Goodwood on his debut,” said Deirdre Johnston, the trainer’s wife. “He’s a tall horse so we thought this place would suit him much better.

“He will make a lovely three-year-old next season but that will probably be it for this year, we’ll see how he is.”