PIRATES are due to descend on Redcar for Caribbean Carnival Day on Saturday and in-form Michael Dods has a raiding party to be feared.

The County Durham trainer runs Tinto in the feature Best Prices Guaranteed Daily At Vickers Bet Handicap, and the seven-year-old must have an excellent chance of sailing home if he’s back to his best form.

The gelding's off a mark of 85 on Saturday – five pounds lower than his last winning mark at Ripon in June last year - and he went on to run a cracker, off a mark of 94, to be fifth behind stablemate, Commanche Falls, in the Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood.

Tinto was entered for this year’s Steward’s Cup last week but didn’t run because of the soft ground. However, with the Redcar turf drying out, cheekpieces fitted for the first time, and David Nolan booked for the ride, this could be his chance.

Dods also has runners in the Woodsmith Construction Group Handicap, which has split into two divisions. He won the race last year with Diamondonthehill but, while that horse heads to Haydock, stablemates Alethiometer and Vaccine contest divisions one and two respectively.

With Sean Kirrane’s three-pound claim taken off, Alethiometer is back to his winning mark at Ayr three runs ago. However, preference is for Tim Easterby’s Redcar-loving Give It Some Teddy (pictured below). Twice a winner of Redcar’s Straight Mile Series final, in 2018 and 2019, the tough gelding is a nine-year-old veteran now but has fallen to a dangerously low mark.

In division two, Vaccine, a winner at Pontefract last time out, looks to have a good chance of following up with Kirrane again taking off a handy three pounds.

The meeting gets underway at 2.03pm with the Download The Vickers.Bet App Restricted Maiden Stakes. Chris Fairhurst does well with his small string at Middleham and Vixey – partnerered by Tom Eaves – could finally get her head in front after being placed on all five runs.

Evening Story, making the long trip from Daniel and Claire Kubler’s Lambourn yard, had decent form on the all-weather last season. She makes her seasonal debut and a market check is worthwhile.

The Celebrate The Life of Ann Allport Classified Stakes looks a wide-open affair. Birdie Bowers, trained in County Durham by David Thompson, went close at Musselburgh last month, and Redcar specialist David Allan takes over in the saddle.

Allan will also fancy his chances in the following Market Cross Jewellers Handicap on board Ribkana for Tim Easterby. The Ribchester filly has been second three times this season, most recently at Beverley last time out.

However, Grant Tuer’s Fortuitous Star was noted running on well to be third over six furlongs at Ripon last time, and now steps up to a mile with crack apprentice Benoit De La Sayette an eye-catching booking.

The meeting closes at 5.35pm with the Vickers Bet Weekly Bet Club Handicap. It may be worth taking a chance with last year’s winner, Desert Quest, trained in the Scottish borders by Ewan Whillans, who is aiming for a repeat off the same mark.