Coyle sends out two for race named in memory of partner Kerr

6.55 Beverley
Jaimie Kerr Memorial Handicap | 5f | 3yo+ | RUK

The second running of the Jaimie Kerr Memorial Handicap is at Beverley on Monday and, just as 12 months ago, Malton trainer Tony Coyle – to whom Kerr was partner and assistant trainer – will be doubly represented in the race.

Kerr sadly passed away two years ago, aged just 38. An existing 5f handicap at her favourite track was renamed in her honour last year and was won by Ziggy Lee for Lawrence Mullaney.

Coyle said: "It's personally going to be tough for me, but it's a lovely way to remember Jaimie. Her mum, dad and sister will all be there, which will be really nice, and there's also a good group from Malton coming down."

He added: "We'll try to keep it going every year and it would be absolutely fantastic if we could win the race in Jaimie's memory."

Coyle was not far off winning the race last year, as mare Maureb finished just a length behind Ziggy Lee in third. She is back again this year, once more arriving on the back of a win following success over six furlongs at Carlisle 11 days ago.

She went up just 3lb for that and is 6lb lower than when she ran in this race last year. She also has Barry McHugh aboard, fresh from his success on Bengali Boys in the Super Sprint at Newbury.

Coyle said: "She's a lovely mare who's probably still well handicapped. Whether she's an out-and-out five-furlong horse is the one big question though."

The other runner from the yard is Thatcherite, who races in the silks of Kerr's father, Brian. There are no such doubts about trip for him as his last six wins have all come at around five furlongs, two of them over course and distance and both of those from higher marks.

Coyle said of the nine-year-old: "Thatcherite finished off his race really nicely at Beverley last time and enjoys running at the track. This will be a step up for him, but he's in grand order at home and everything has been great since his last run."

He added: "We've not really set the two horses up for the race – I'd love to have had five runners in it – but they're both in good form and should run well."

Maureb and Thatcherite have been drawn in stalls seven and three in a 15-runner field. The race has an open shape to it, with The Nazca Lines, one of two three-year-olds and the other last-time-out winner besides Maureb, likely to be one of the main players.

Other threats include the in-form Bronze Beau and the enigmatic Crosse Fire, who has a course-and-distance win to his name this year. Last year's winning yard is also represented, with Lawrence Mullaney sending out Jack Luey.