I WAS lucky enough to spend the morning at Mark Johnston’s huge operation in Middleham last week. It was eye-opening just how big and super slick his training base is. Set across three yards, Kingsley House, Warwick House and Park Farm, there are more than 200 horses in his care and more than 120 staff employed. I met Lumiere, his star filly (left), and I did a piece for the Sunday Express which might interest you. If you have never been to Middleham itself then you are missing a treat. The clip-clop of horses walking around the village can be heard from early in the morning and there are some lovely walks starting from the market square. There are also four pubs within staggering distance of each other. Marvellous!

Anyway, Johnston has made a strong start in his bid to be top trainer at the Go Racing In Yorkshire Festival, which enters its third day today. He has three winners on the board already and sends three runners to Beverley tonight.

HUNTLAW (7.05) won at Ripon on Saturday and looks to have the scope to defy a penalty if his exertions have not taken too much out of him. Interestingly, Abareeq runs in the same race for Johnston and of the 200-plus horses in his care, he is regarded as the most “difficult” ride. His form on the all weather is solid but he has not replicated it on turf so is passed over.

Silvestre De Sousa has six rides at Beverley and is an interesting booking for John Quinn’s BLOOMIN’ LOVELY (6.05). The market is worth a close look here.

ALTRUISM (4.25) is a standing dish at Cartmel having won four from four. He can make it five from five in an intriguing 2m chase where he takes on former Cheltenham Festival winner Next Sensation, who is 14lb lower than when he won the Grand Annual in 2015. Both horses like to dominate so it should be a spectacle.

Altruism’s jockey Henry Brooke rides Cartmel better than any other and he gets the leg-up on MORNING WITH IVAN (5.25) who ran a blinder at Perth last time and has winning form at the the Cumbrian track. He has slipped to his lowest ever rating and should go very well today.

LADY CORDIE (3.40) looks overpriced at Ayr while TRANSPENNINE STAR (4.40) ran really well last time and looks progressive. Fort Bastion (5.10) has each-way appeal as does DOLPHIN VISTA in the same race who is, admittedly, racing against older horses off a career-high mark.

Be lucky!