YORK CHAMPIONSHIP GOES TO THE WIRE

Richard Fahey is set to mount the stoutest defence of his York top trainer title over the next couple of days with no fewer than 22 runners at the Knavesmire's final meeting of the season.

Musley Bank's Fahey is engaged in a mighty battle with three fellow Yorkshire trainers to land the coveted crown, backed once again by Ha Fox Jaguar. So far in 2011, he has notched eight winners at his favourite racecourse, the same number as Mick Easterby and Kevin Ryan. Also in the mix is Tim Easterby, who has posted one fewer winner through the season to date.

With the curtain set to fall with a flourish on York's 2011 programme this Saturday, all four men have plenty of chances to try and increase their tally.

Between them, their combined tally of runners amounts to no less than 50. But it is Fahey who has very much the numerical advantage with 22 'bullets' to fire over the 14 races.

Indeed, Fahey - who has won York's top trainer title for each of the last five years - will be hoping that a sixth straight success will be all but done and dusted by tomorrow evening (Friday) as he has 14 runners on the opening day of the fixture.

But all the signs suggest Sheriff Hutton's Mick Easterby certainly isn't in the mood to give up the fight as he has eight declared runners on Friday.

Hambleton trainer Ryan is very much on the front foot on Saturday with eight runners, five of whom will be contesting the £75,000 Coral Sprint Trophy over the six furlong trip.

Great Habton's Tim Easterby appears to face the stiffest challenge on paper. Numerically, with seven scheduled runners he has the fewest horses of the four men to saddle, plus he trails his three rivals by one.

But it is all very much up for grabs and makes for a thrilling sub-plot to the next two day's racing.

York's chief executive and clerk of the course William Derby said: "It has been the most competitive and tightly-fought race for our trainer title that I can recall in my time at York. It adds an extra edge to our final meeting.

"What makes it particularly intriguing is that it is four Yorkshire-based trainers fighting it out, all based within 30 miles of the track. Everyone will be following the 'table' race-by-race to see who has the advantage and it will be fascinating to see who it is that finally emerges triumphant after our last race of another great season at York."

The leading trainer, along with the prestige of finishing on top of the pile, will collect a trophy, the use of a £70,000 Jaguar XJ Portfolio for a month, two tickets to a Jaguar Circuit Day and a case of champagne.

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