Tominator gears up for tilt at Ebor glory

Northumberland plate winner Tominator is one of 102 entries for the totesport Ebor at York on 20 August.

Trained by veteran Reg Hollinshead, the four-year-old quickened up in fine style in the Pitmen's Derby to beat Montaff by a length and three-quarters.

A run in the John Smith's Silver Cup on the Knavesmire this weekend is now in the offing over the same course and distance of the Ebor, although Andrew Hollinshead, the trainer's son and assistant, is not expecting the race to be run to suit on Saturday.

"He's very well. We were chuffed to bits with him at Newcastle. Every yard needs a flag-bearer and he's ours," said Hollinshead jnr. "The plan is the Ebor and I think it's for the best if he has a run in between as we think he's got another big pot in him. In the Ebor you are guaranteed a fast pace and a big field.

"He's in at York on Saturday and while he'll run, it won't have as big a field so they won't go as quick, which won't suit him.

"If we didn't run on Saturday it's too long to wait, though, so he'll probably run.

"Then it will be five weeks to the Ebor, which is perfect.

"After the Ebor we'll look at the Cesarewitch but he'll have nearly top weight in that which will be tough. We're hoping he could be a Cup horse next year."

The likes of Blue Bajan, Fox Hunt, Eternal Heart, Geordieland, Halicarnassus and Red Cadeaux are all among the mammoth entry.