Lucky Ready For York Assignment

Mark Johnston will bid to land his first John Smith's Cup with top weight I'm So Lucky at York on Saturday.

The Middleham handler has his string in rude health after they returned to form at Royal Ascot when the four-year-old landed the first leg of a terrific treble on the same card.

Not since Cezanne carried 9st 12lb to victory in 1994 has a horse won with more weight than I'm So Lucky shoulders tomorrow.

But after finishing sixth in the race as a three-year-old, Johnston's believes the son of Zilzal holds every chance in one of the most competitive handicaps of the season ? despite carrying 9st 11lb.

'He's come out of Ascot absolutely fine and the horse is in very good form,' said Johnston.

'He was that well he would have run last week but we decided to save him for this.

'We hope he runs as well after Ascot as Soapy Danger did on Thursday.

'He ran in the race last year off the same mark when he finished sixth to Mullins Bay.

'I'm not sure whether he has strengthened up that much or if he is better-in this year ? you don't really know until they run ? but he ran a good race last year and he should be thereabouts again.

'I don't know whether Joe (Fanning) will try to make all, I never discuss tactics with him, I just wait until the gates open and see what happens.'

Kevin Ryan will be double-handed in the John Smith's Cup with Divine Gift and El Coto.

Both ran disappointingly at Royal Ascot but they were running consistently well in similar races beforehand and Ryan believes they head to the Knavesmire with a reasonable chance.

'Divine Gift is in great form ? he loves the top of the ground,' said Ryan.

'He ran very well at Chester. He was a little bit disappointing at Ascot in the Royal Hunt Cup though but he has come out of the race very well and we are going there with a sporting chance.

'He wore blinkers for the first time at Ascot but as we are going back over a mile and a quarter tomorrow, he won't be wearing them.

'I think they just went a bit quick for him over the mile so this trip should suit him better.

'The draw was also against him at Ascot. As the week went on it transpired that they had no chance form the far side.

'El Coto wouldn't be be without a chance either. He ran very well in the Zetland Gold Cup and he is a horse who likes plenty of cover.

'The only thing with a horse who needs riding like that is you need a bit of luck in running.

'Catherine Gannon will take the ride and she is a good rider ? she rides him at home and knows him very well. She has plenty of experience and she certainly won't be fazed.'

One of the leading ante-post fancies is Brian Meehan's Star Of Light, who has been well supported in recent days.

The five-year-old has struck up a fine partnership with Alan Munro in recent times and, after winning a small Nottingham handicap in June 2005 off 78, finds himself racing off a mark of 100 at York.

Munro believes the son of Mtoto can turn the Ascot form around with I'm So Lucky after he finished fifth behind Johnston's charge in the Wolferton Handicap.

'He looks to hold strong claims on his Ascot run,' said the jockey.

'He had a bad draw that day so to overcome it we rode him very prominently but he weakened. Tactically, we may have got it wrong.

'He doesn't know how to run a bad race though, he is so genuine. He also ran a great race at Haydock last weekend over a mile and a half.

'I actually think he will be a better horse over a mile and a half. It's a mile and a quarter tomorrow though but he is drawn well and I'm sure he will run well.

'York's long straight will suit him because he takes his time to get going and when he does get going he really finishes well.'

? PA Sport