TAX FREE, one of the most popular sprinters in North Yorkshire, is set to bring down the curtain on his lengthy career at Thirsk this afternoon.

The 12-year-old, trained at nearby Sessay by Dandy Nicholls, has won 18 of his 94 races and more than £600,000 in prize money.

He has scored at Group 2, Group 3 and Listed level and has been a stalwart of the Nicholls yard for longer than most people care to remember.

Tax Free will have his final start in the Download New Racing UK IPad App Handicap over five furlongs with Adrian Nicholls, the trainer's jockey son, in the saddle.

It would be truly memorable if the veteran could bow out with a victory, but, from a tricky draw, it's probably too much to ask and the vote instead goes to Haajes, another seasoned performer, who represents Paul Midgley.

The ten-year-old is well berthed near the favoured stands rail and has been running well enough lately to suggest he can make his presence felt with Graham Lee, pictured, in the saddle.

Looking Good, the nap selection, can get punters off to a good start in the opening British Stallion Studs Maiden Stakes.

David Brown's juvenile has shaped with promise in her two outings at Sandown and Newmarket. She has been given a break since last seen and is likely to have benefited as a result. She can make it third time lucky in the hands of Jamie Spencer.

Spencer can also score on Diddy Eric in the Racing Uk Anywhere Available Now Handicap.

Trained by Micky Hammond, the four-year-old is on a high after winning his last two races. A hat-trick looks a fair prospect.

In the herriotworld.com Handicap, it may be unwise to overlook the chances of Cape Explorer, trained by Brian Ellison.

It is some time since we last saw Cape Explorer in action, but he was formerly a useful horse with James Tate and Ellison runners seldom fail through lack of fitness, even after a lengthy absence. He is not without an each-way chance.

Also worth noting are We'll Shake Hands (4.15), a Carlisle winner on his penultimate outing, and the in-form Two Turtle Doves (5.15) who is chasing a hat-trick of wins in the lady amateur riders' handicap.

At Windsor's evening meeting, it could be worthwhile keeping an eye on Trulee Scrumptious, who turns out quickly after winning at Newmarket on Friday evening.

Jimmy Quinn's mount made all the running on her latest start and won in determined style. She has more on her plate here under a 6lb penalty, but she is plainly in good heart and is fancied to follow up.

Mr Dandy Man (6.00), a model of consistency this summer and and the promising Shama's Crown (7.30), the mount of Ryan Moore, are two others to consider.


Selections

Thirsk today

2.15 Looking Good (NAP), 2.45 Game Show, 3.15 Diddy Eric, 3.45 Cape Explorer, 4.15 We’ll Shake Hands, 4.45 Haajes, 5.15 Two Turtle Doves.

Windsor today

5.30 Reflation, 6.00 Mr Dandy Man, 6.30 Gift Of Silence, 7.00 Trulee Scrumptious, 7.30 Shama’s Crown, 8.00 Bold Lass.

Today’s other meetings

Kempton and Wolverhampton.

Tomorrow’s meetings

Brighton, Yarmouth, Leicester and Worcester.