A FAIRYTALE comes true for Uncle Jack's Pub on Thursday at York when their Manorbier runs in the Group One Victor Chandler Nunthorpe stakes.

It was on October 19 last year when Jim Hughes bid 500 guineas for Manorbier.

I was sitting next to Jim and remember it well as it was my birthday and I'd come out of hospital the day before. I was in pain, but not too much pain to remember that Jim asked me if I wanted a share in the horse.

When we went to have a look at him, the young girl who had looked after him was uncontrollable with emotion and now I know why -- Manorbier has a lovely temperament and is a fine sprinter.

Manorbier will meet another of my favourites in the yard in the Nunthorpe in Eastern Purple who won a Group 3 in Ireland only a week ago.

I am sure they will both run big races, and out of the two, I slightly favour Eastern Purple only on his big race experience. Manorbier, who is only a four-year-old, will gain from the race experience but my nap for the Nunthorpe has to go to the King of the sprinters Dandy Nicholls' Rudi's Pet.

It could be the turn of another local pub syndicate, the Pendle Inn, whose Desraya I fancy to win the Falmouth Handicap tomorrow on Ebor day.

In the Ebor, Inch Perfect has a big chance and Richard Fahey tells me he is in fine form at home, but I think the Queen's horse Temple Way will show them the way home. At the same meeting on Wednesday, I will give another chance to the Sir Michael Stoute two-year-old Ghayth who I had a strong word for first time out and met a lot of trouble in running as well as running green.

In the Lowther Stakes on Thursday, John Dunlop has given Khulan a good rest since winning first time out and I think this horse is very special.

On Friday, at Thirsk, I will run LastoftheWhalleys if the ground is not too fast. She really needs a bit of give in the ground, but she is better now than she has ever been on the gallops and is well in herself. Another Kevin Ryan horse who I expect a big run from at Thirsk on Friday is Cardinal Venture. And Gralmano will run a big race at York today.