Fahey goes for hat-trick at York

Fahey is one of the most successful trainers in the history of the Cup

Malton trainer Richard Fahey could make history at York on Saturday by becoming the first trainer to win the John Smith's Cup three consecutive times.

Fahey has three horses in the race with Albaqaa, Unbreak My Heart and Deep Water carrying the hopes of his yard.

He told BBC Radio York: "A lot of sports things are all about doing the hat-trick and we've been lucky enough.

"We have won it three times but three times in a row would be quite an achievement for everybody involved."

Fahey said all his horses are capable of winning but he would not reveal which one he thought had the best chance.

"I wouldn't like to split them," he said. "The horse I thought would have the biggest chance has been given the worst draw.

The heart says it would be lovely to see Richard Fahey or one of the other Yorkshire trainers win

York marketing manager James Brennan

"She's been drawn wide. It's not really ideal. It's not impossible but it's not an ideal draw so that probably evens them all up.

"But it's not just about my three horses it's about all the other horses in the race but I'll sit on the fence with that one.

"It's very competitive. The cup every year is competitive. I haven't really gone through the field in detail yet but I had a look at it and there's about 12 with a chance, which there should be in a big handicap like that."

Fahey won the race in 2002 with Vintage Premium and then in 2007 with Charlie Tokyo and Flying Claret in 2008.

York Racecourse marketing manager James Brennan said: "The favourite at the five-day stage was Kingdom of Fife, owned by Her Majesty the Queen and trained by Sir Michael Stoute.

"It's 20 years since he won the race in 1989. He came with a very strong hand in 2004 but it wasn't to be that afternoon.

"The market says Kingdom of Fife will win, the heart says it would be lovely to see Richard Fahey or one of the other Yorkshire trainers win. The crowd will tell us what does."