THREE-TIME champion jockey Oisin Murphy and the formidable Charlie Johnston yard are an eye-catching double-act as Redcar stages its annual Circus Family Fun Day on Sunday.

The seaside track stages a seven-race card and the Murphy-Johnston combination can land the feature Sky Bet Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival Handicap with Cancan In The Rain.

The Middleham colt showed a good attitude to win a Newmarket handicap in June, staying on stoutly when challenged, and can follow up on a mark two pounds higher to give Yorkshire a winner on the third day of the festival.

That said, it’s a tricky race, with fellow title contender Tom Marquand teaming up with Newmarket maestro William Haggas on Five Towns, who was a solid second at Haydock last time.

David O’Meara’s Dora Milaje, a winner on her first two runs at Pontefract and Thirsk before finishing third at Newmarket, should also be in the mix.

Johnston has also engaged Murphy for debutante Knewone in the Join Racing TV Now EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes, and a market check is advised for signs of confidence.

At the press launch of the festival, at Catterick earlier this week, another Middleham stalwart, Micky Hammond, nominated Myboymax as his best chance of a winner during the week.

The five-year-old gelding goes in the opening Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Handicap, with Hammond saying: “The trip’s right and he’s back on a winning mark, so Sunday could be his day,” he said, with the proviso that he wouldn’t want too much rain.

Aiden Brookes knows the horse well and claims a useful three pounds, so Myboymax appeals each-way at a decent price.

There was only half a length between Richard Fahey’s Slippin Jimmy and Michael Dods’ Vortigan when they were second and third respectively at Haydock last time, and the pair clash again in the Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Handicap. Dods’ charge is a pound better off and wears blinkers for the first time so he could turn the tables.

Faye McManoman is in fine form this season and is reunited with Sidney’s Son for Malton trainer Nigel Tinkler in the Redcar Cricket Club Restricted Maiden Stakes. The Dandy Man gelding was second at Redcar last time out and will be fancied to go one better over an extra furlong.

Proud Yorkshireman Tim Easterby will be one of the favourites for the festival’s leading trainer title and he looks to have a good chance with Ribkana in division one of the Watch Racing TV In Stunning HD Handicap. The Ribchester filly has been running consistently without getting her nose in front and this could be her turn.

Newmarket-based jockey George Wood has a good strike rate when he makes the long journey up to Redcar and he can make the most of his only ride in division two on recent Salisbury winner Portoro.

PICTURE: Star jockey Oisin Murphy on a recent trip to Redcar