Knavesmire rain dance for Maarek David Nagle is praying the rain comes for Maarek ahead of the Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes at York tomorrow. The County Tipperary trainer intends to run his star sprinter on the Knavesmire as long as conditions are suitable, having taken him out of a race at Longchamp on Sunday because there was not enough cut in the ground. "The forecast is meant to be pretty bad in York tonight. I'm the only one who hopes it comes," said Nagle. "As long as there's no firm in the ground he'll be OK. He just wants some ease in the ground. The horse is in super form. The only snag is that we need some rain." Nagle has booked Paul Hanagan for the ride in the hope that his local knowledge will be an advantage. "I don't know Paul, but I'm glad to have him. I know he's been top jockey there," he said. Hanagan is looking forward to the ride on the six-year-old, winner of last season's Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes. "It's great to get the ride on him. I'm looking forward to him. I've not sat on him before but I've seen him plenty of times and he's a very classy horse," said the two-times champion jockey. The other Irish challenger is Gordon Lord Byron - but his trainer Tom Hogan would like the rain to stay away if possible. The five-year-old won at the highest level in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp in October and has since been on his travels, running in Hong Kong and Dubai. "It's good to get him back on grass again. Hopefully we won't get too much rain. Even though he's won on soft ground he's better on good ground," said Co Tipperary-based Hogan. "It's a tough task. He has to carry his Group One penalty and give weight to most of the field. We are playing with the big boys now. He has a reasonably good draw (four) and there is a fair bit of pace on his side."
