Denis Coakley is praying heavy rain stays away from York ahead of Gabriel's Lad's run in the Bond Tyres Trophy on Saturday.

The Dark Angel gelding has a tough baptism in his first handicap after four runs in maidens, three of which have been on an all-weather surface.

And while Coakley is satisfied with the his horse's 12 draw and happy with the booking of six-times champion Kieren Fallon, he would be concerned if the heavens opened on the Knavesmire.

"He seems in good form. The only thing I would be worried about is if the ground came up soft," said Coakley.

"He's a good-moving horse and I don't think that would suit him. The more rain they have (at York), the worse chance he'll have.

"I'm sure being drawn 12 will be fine. He needs a bit of cover, so it should be OK.

"It's great to have Kieren (Fallon). He's as good as anyone.

"At the moment six furlongs is his trip. He's still only a baby. He's only had four runs."

Bartolomeu will try to go one better for trainer Marco Botti, who sent out Acclamazing to dead-heat for second place in this race 12 months ago.

Bartolomeu had done most of his running on the all-weather before putting up a decent performance on turf to finish second to Mince in a competitive six-furlong handicap at Newmarket last time.

Botti said of the Footstepsinthesand gelding: "He has come out of his race in good form and I was pleased with his performance at Newmarket.

"He would not want too much rain but I'm happy with him and I think six furlongs is his best trip.

"He probably goes into the race with a stronger chance than Acclamazing as that horse was one of the top weights and he is off 92, a bit off the top.

"He is progressive and I hope he is a few pounds better than his rating."Roger Charlton reports Priceless Jewel to be in good form but is hoping her relative lack of experience and the ground will not go against her.

She showed she could be a progressive filly when making a successful seasonal debut at Kempton for which the handicapper raised her a total of 9lb.

"She went up initially 6lb and then another 3lb more recently because the form had been franked by the second and the third," he said.

"Compared to some she's a bit light on experience and I don't really know about the ground if it gets very soft as it is likely to be.

"It's an unknown dimension. She's a good-moving filly and it may not suit her, but in every other way she's in good form."

Charlton believes his other runner, Tioman Legend, will probably handle the cut in the ground.

"He might like the ground better because he's by Kyllachy and they seem to like the ground," he said.

"He ran very well last time behind Mince at Newmarket. It looks an open race as you'd expect. I'm bit unsure what is expected to be a good draw or which side is better."

Andrew Balding is another trainer anxious about the threat of further rain for one his two runners, Top Cop.

"He ran a good race at Newmarket last time and is taking on the second (Bartolomeu) again," said Balding.

"He's entitled to come on for that but wouldn't want too much more rain."

However, the Kingsclere handler expects Intransigent to cope should conditions deteriorate.

"He's in good order and ran well from a bad draw at Chester and he's come on for that," said Balding.

"He seemed to handle the soft ground that day, so it won't be too much of a problem for him there. I'd hope he'd go well."

Richard Hannon would not mind if the rain did come for his hope, Three Am Tour.

"Three Am Tour would have an each-way shot," the Marlborough trainer told www.richardhannonracing.tv.

"She was a bit unlucky at Haydock last time, but the fact that she stays seven furlongs could be a help if they get more rain as it will make it more of a test, and she looks to be well drawn one off the stands rail."