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The August 2008 washout occurred just days before major drainage work was due to start on the course. William says, "It was hugely disappointing. I would say we had 11 hugely successful days racing up to then, and a good year in many ways, but obviously the rainfall over which we had no control put paid to our flagship meeting."

William revealed they had taken on additional drainage work as a result of lessons learned from the "record rainfall" of August 2008.

William Derby at York Racecourse

Μύ"We've insulated the racing surface itself from the surrounding areas because we had, in August, water shedding off adjoining properties onto the racetrack itself, so we've put in a series of cut-off drains to intercept that water."

As the 'Ascot of the North', the world's most famous trainers will be planning raids on York, but there are a host of North Yorkshire trainers keen to add to their tally of winners at the Knavesmire track.

Malton's Richard Fahey is hoping to become the most successful Yorkshire-based flat trainer on Yorkshire courses for the third year in a row, but admits it could be difficult as three of his top names have retired.

He says, "We're trying to get the young stock to fill their boots, it's like losing a good striker in football, you try and replace him. Hopefully, we've got some younger horses that might step into the breach."

Fahey trained more than 100 flat winners last season for the first time, but that's 'de rigeur' for Middleham's Mark Johnston, who's accomplished that feat for 15 years in a row and also has two classic winners under his belt.

Racehorse trainer, Mark Johnston

Johnston says, "We're a little bit devoid of top class three-year-olds and upwards. Juke Box Jury was our main hope for the year and he, unfortunately, got injured so he'll miss the English Derby. There is a chance we'll have him out for Royal Ascot or the Irish Derby. Our main strength is in the handicap division, particularly a mile and upwards. We really just want to see some of them progress through to Group races."

Johnston's near-neighbour in Middleham, Karl Burke, is proud of his stable's gradual rise during his 18 years as a trainer culminating, so far, in his first Classic entry, Lord Shanakill in May's 2000 Guineas. "It would be nice to win a Group One this year." says Burke, "We've had more money to spend on horses in the last four or five years and, thankfully, we've spent that money wisely and we've got better class horses."

Former jockey Kevin Ryan has also improved his racing lot over the years from his yard at Hambleton, above Thirsk, with two Group One winners marking his breakthrough in 2005.

Crowds at York Racecourse

Ryan is philosophical about the future, "Our ambitions are always to keep the horses healthy and, whatever level they're at, to get the best out of the horses.

We don't set targets, we just try to get the best out of what we've got!"Μύ