The excitement of the season opening Dante Festival may have finished a week and a half ago, but the action swiftly returned to York with a one day standalone fixture, their first Saturday meeting of the year.
 On a brilliant of racing in Britain and Ireland, there was plenty of quality around the racecourses and York had its own fair share of talent with a Group Three race for fillies headlining the card alongside a host of competitive and valuable handicaps.
A week of sunny weather showed no signs of stopping as racegoers flocked to the racecourse for a bright and warm day of thoroughbred action. Horse welfare was of course at the top of the agenda for all concerned and plenty of water and cooling fans were available for the horses before and after the races. 

Race One: The William Hill Keep Your Raceday Positive Handicap (Class Four, Seven Furlongs, 19 Runners)
Winner: DOCTOR KHAN JUNIOR (#19) - H. Russell - G. Oldroyd - Muhaarar x Ladies Are Forever
The first race of the day saw a near full sized class four handicap which proved very tricky to solve with some horses arriving in good form and others who were lightly raced. The Steph Hollinshead-trained filly Albeseeingyer has proven to be a revelation in recent times, winning her previous five starts since entering handicaps. Winning on all kinds of ground and shooting up the ratings, the daughter of Al Kazeem was looking to carry on her winning streak. Regulars at York included Maywake, Motagally, Golden Apollo and last week's third Another Investment, while the four year old Bicep arrived on the back of a win last time and looked a likely contender.
There was a shock yet poignant winner of the opener as Doctor Khan Junior found that the diagnosis of success by bagging the strip of ground along the stands side rail which proved to be the golden highway. In a fiercely fought contest in the opening stages, there was plenty of pace and contenders in the firing line. Motagally took the field along from the start with Intercessor, Island Bandit and Maywake. As the main group aimed for the centre of the track, Harry Russell brought his keen-going mount to the near side and the son of Muharaar flew home to bag the first race. It was a win at long odds, but special to see the black and yellow silks of Bond Thoroughbreds Ltd in the winner's enclosure. Continuing the legacy of Reg Bond, who was given a tribute in the final race's title, it was almost meant to be. Doctor Khan Junior had previously won his last start at 33-1 in a first time visor and the trick paid off again. 

Race Two: The Collective Green Energy EBF Novice Stakes (Class Three, Six Furlongs, 10 Runners)
Winner: NATIVE AMERICAN (#1) - O. Orr - R. Fahey - Sioux Nation x Pencarrow
An informative novice event which held a bearing on last year's Royal Ascot meeting. Winner of this race twelve months ago was Bradsell, who blitzed the field on debut to win by an impressive nine lengths. The Archie Watson-trained colt went on to win the Group Two Coventry Stakes on his next start, beating some high class rivals.
This year's renewal unveiled more newcomers than those with experience and it was a matter of guesswork as to how good the contenders are in relation to their predecessor. Strong contender for the race was the Richard Hannon-trained The Line, who had finished third on debut and is a half brother to the smart Mild Illusion. Leading owner Jaber Abdullah ran two in the race with the once-raced filly Sayidh Kingdom running for Charlie Johnston and newcomer Batal Zabeel for Kevin Ryan. Football fans were drawn to the newcomer Mbappe, a speedily bred colt for Ed Walker. In a theme of multiples, Richard Fahey unveiled two newcomers with Salamanca Lad and Native American while Nigel Tinkler went one better with three entries. The newcomer Showboated joined stablemates Socialise and Ticktyboo, who both ran in a stronger race at the Dante meeting. Mister Gan, owned by Nick Bradley Racing, completed the lineup on debut. 
There was drama before the off as hot favourite The Line reared in the stalls and dumped jockey Dan Tudhope on the ground. With Tudhope looking bruised and winded, the Richard Hannon juvenile was withdrawn on the spot. During the race, the leaders didn't hang around with Batal Zabeel, Ticktyboo and Sayidh Kingman forcing the early fractions. Entering the final furlong, Native American switched around the leading group and flew up the rail. Bounding further clear, he would win impressively by over five lengths in the style of a high class prospect. Ticktyboo improved on his second start to take second, Batal Zabeel held on for third and the winner's stablemate Salamanca Lad made rapid ground to finish fourth. 
The winner, trained in Malton by Richard Fahey, looks set for the highest grade races and has already surpassed his relatives with this display. With plenty of speed influence from his sire Sioux Nation, a trip to Royal Ascot looks likely.

Race Three: The William Hill Epic Boost Handicap (Class Two, Five furlongs,14 runners)
Winner: CHIPSTEAD (#2) - F. Larson - R. Teal - Mayson x Charlotte Rosina
This typically competitive sprint handicap appeared to be a repeat of the similar event at the Dante Festival last week with many from that race returning to do battle once again. Runner up Korker, third Bedford Flyer and fourth Mondammej were expected to be in contention again as Copper Knight and Alligator Alley joined them. The Ruth Carr stable has done wonders with Reigning Profit and the four year old has gone of a winning spell recently. He looked a danger from bottom weight along with 'first past the post' in the Portland Handicap, Chipstead and the well named for today Spring Is Sprung in a frenetic race on paper.
Once the gates opened, Sound Of Iona veered markedly to her right and in the process severely hampered Korker and Squealer, an incident all three would not recover from. As expected, the speedy Fine Wine blazed a trail on his return to action and he trod a lone path down the centre of the track. Entering the business end of the race, Mondammej and Chipstead had eased into contention and the pair battled it out in the final furlong. Chipstead found the better change of gear and landed the class two handicap in the style of a horse ready for pattern races. Trained by Roger Teal, the stable has enjoyed huge success with Chipstead's full brother Oxted winning the King's Stand Stakes and July Cup in recent times. The five year old looks set to attempt to emulate his bigger brother and was very progressive last season. "Winning" the valuable Portland Handicap last year was one of four wins last year. 
Mondammej claimed second with the leader Fine Wine lasting for third, the diminutive Spring Is Sprung stayed on for fourth. 

Race Four The William Hill Bronte Cup Fillies' Cup (Group Three, One mile, Six furlongs, 9 runners)
Winner: RIVER OF STARS (#5) - R. Ryan - R. Beckett - Sea The Stars x Amazone
The feature race of the day was the stamina testing Bronte Cup for fillies and mares, a potentially valuable prize in terms of boosting their profiles as a broodmare. Last year's renewal saw a small field, but was won by the Roger Varian stable with Believe In Love after a lengthy stewards' enquiry. First run in 2018, the race has been won by four different trainers and some were looking to make it five. 
Heading the racecard was the classy Mimikyu, winner of last year's Park Hill Stakes over this distance and was dropping in grade for trainers John & Thady Gosden, who had also won a fillies' Group Two last week with Free Wind for the same owner. The Newmarket duo were also represented by One Evening, a lightly raced and beautifully bred four year old. Voodoo Queen, a daughter of Frankel was looking to give last year's winning stable another victory in the race while the likes of River Of Stars, Sea Flawless and Irish raider Moon Daisy all lined up to give the race an open look. 
The early pace would be modest, with plenty of runners wanting to go faster than the leaders dictated. Turning for home, One Evening and Alaroos brought the field to the stands rail once again. River Of Stars took over the lead entering the final furlong as Kieren O'Neill angled Mimikyu out of the pack to challenge. In the final stages, River Of Stars and Mimikyu were joined by Voodoo Queen, who seemingly relished the step up in trip. The three fillies went head to head, crossing the line together. The head bob would favour River Of Stars and the judge gave the race to the Ralph Beckett-trained four-year-old. The daughter of Sea The Stars had looked progressive last season, winning a listed race on quick ground over this distance, before finishing behind Mimikyu at Doncaster on softer ground. This display shows her upward curve and another similar prize should be in her reach this year. 

Race Five: The William Hill Extra Places Handicap (Class Three, Seven Furlongs, 14 Runners)
Winner: STARNBERG (#4) - J. Crowley - R. Hannon - Clodovil x Taaluf
A three year old only handicap which looked very difficult to find a winner in, the majority of runners held varying profiles and it saw a welcome return of a name absent from racing in the past few weeks. A much publicised story involving the owner saw horses trained by James Horton frozen out of racing. A decision was made to allow the Middleham trainer to send horses out once again and Horton will be keen to maintain his status of brightest newcomer to the training ranks. 
Previous winners in the race line up included River Usk, who dominated at Beverley last time but faced quicker ground, the dual winner Tellus who headed the weights and recent winner American Affair. Unknown quantities would include the handicap debutant Five Towns and returning Craven. 
A seemingly competitive race was turned into one way traffic as the Richard Hannon-trained Starnberg was always in the right place to strike. In the early stages, the keen going River Usk bowled along at a decent pace with Jim Crowley tracking the leader. As the pack moved to the favoured stands side rail once again, Starnberg found himself at the head of affairs. Kicking on at the final furlong pole, the three-year-old found plenty for pressure and came home alone, winning by over three lengths. The Hannon stable landed a similar race at the Dante meeting last week and did so again here with Starnberg breaking his maiden to win for the first time. Second on his previous start, his consistency was rewarded in some style. Monopolise chased the winner home for second, the consistent Tasever gained another placing and Craven showed promise on return in fourth. 

Race Six: The Royal Yorkshire Regiment Handicap (Class Three, One Mile, 10 Runners)
Winner: QUANTUM IMPACT (#5) - R. Ryan - R. Beckett - Invincible Spirit x Marie Celeste
The second handicap restricted to three year olds looked a very hot race with many holding the potential to race in a higher grade that this class three. Last time out winners in the race included Saxon King, who won on soft ground at Newmarket on the undercard of the 1,000 Guineas, the consistent Maximilian Caesar and Spioradalta while the lightly race Reidh looked a danger from bottom weight. The Kevin Ryan-trained Dubai Jemila was tried in the Group Three Nell Gwynn Stakes at Newmarket and was now dropping back into handicaps here.
In another tactical affair, the pace early on was relatively steady.  Saxon King dictated the pace early on with Jim Crowley looking to repeat his win just half an hour previously. Looking on from the heels of the leader was Quantum Impact under Rossa Ryan, the race favourite. As Saxon King began to weaken, it was the Ralph Beckett-trained colt who took up the running and he responded to each urging from Rossa Ryan to give the trainer and jockey a double. Wearing the silks of Marc Chan, made famous by the likes of Angel Bleu and Kinross, this three-year-old looks to be another progressive horse this year. Winning twice last year, he has a nice profile and should do well in the big handicaps at summer festivals. 
Theme Park chased the winner with each stride but settled for second, early leader Saxon King held on for third and Sceptic made late ground for fourth. 

Race Seven: The Reg Bond Always And Forever Handicap (Class Two, Seven furlongs, 10 runners)
Winner: SHINING BLUE (#1) - D. Muscutt - S. Bin Suroor - Exceed And Excel x Braided
The final race of the card could easily have headlined another meeting given its value and quality. The race is named in honour of the late Reg Bond, a hugely popular figure on the Northern racing circuit. Breeding and owning his own horses, Bond went from minor operator to major presence in racing thanks to his Group race winners Captain Gerrard, Monsieur Bond and Ladies Are Forever. 
This year's renewal was a typically competitive affair and featured many horses who had taken each other on more than once. Recent course runner up Titan Rock looked to hold a major chance for John Quinn while Volatile Analyst, Documenting and Cruyff Turn have all won at York previously. Godolphin were represented by two runners, both from the Saeed bin Suroor, in the form of Shining Blue and Open Mind. The unknown quality was the Scott Dixon-trained Sluzewiec who was making his British debut after showing smart form in France. 
The race was won very impressively by a horse who is clearly much better than this grade, a dominant win by the top weight Shining Blue for Godolphin. Three front runners took each other on in the early stages and it helped create a strong pace. Bopedro, Yorkshire and Lord Of The Lodge were there to be aimed at as the field came to the stands side. Shining Blue travelled strongly and could be called the winner from a long way out. Once the button was pressed, the five year old drifted in front of his rivals but found forward momentum to pull clear. Crossing the line a good four lengths clear of the rest, it was a particularly impressive feat of carrying the mammoth weight of ten stone two pounds. Last seen at Meydan in Dubai, the gelding won once and ran with credit before returning to Britain for this seasonal reappearance. Looking much like the finished article here, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him win a small Group race this year either in Britain or abroad.