Race One: The John Smith's Racing Handicap - Class 2 - 1 Mile - 11 Runners

Winner: Blue For You (#1) (New Approach x Love In The Sun) - D. Tudhope - D. O'Meara.
The first race of a highly valuable race day at York was a typically competitive handicap over a mile. Course and distance form was in high demand in this year's renewal as former York winners Wild Lion, Blue For You, La Trinidad and Whats The Story returned to the Knavesmire in the hope of extending their record at the track.
Last year, the race went to the Karl Burke runner Eilean Dudh as part of a profitable summer for the gelding as he defeated Blue For You into second. Fast forward twelve months and the pair met in combat once again, but the tables were turned as Blue For You romped away with this valuable handicap.
Half an hour before the start, an almighty storm blitzed the racecourse with racegoers seeking shelter and the ground easing further to be described as good to soft. The awkward Rhoscolyn needed plenty of urgings from the stalls handlers to enter his gate, but the hard pushing paid off as the horse consented to run. In the early stages of the race, last time out winner Wild Lion set an even gallop under apprentice Christian Howarth alongside Aramaic and Isla Kai. Turning for home, there was little change in the order but the strong tailwind meant the leaders would be hard to catch. From out of centre pack, Blue For You emerged travelling powerfully under a confident Danny Tudhope. Taking over the lead at the furlong pole, the five year old burst into the open and was soon clear. The race was over as soon as it had begun in earnest and the David O'Meara gelding came home three lengths to the good. What's The Story ran a bold race on debut for his new stable, Richard Fahey, while last year's winner Eilean Dubh settled for third.
The winner is a regular visitor to York and won at the Ebor Festival last year. A largely consistent handicapper, he appears to be a pleasure to own as he gives his all every race. 

Race Two: The John Smith's City Walls Stakes - Listed Race - 5 Furlongs - 8 Runners

Winner: Nymphadora (#9) (No Nay Never x Bewitched) - J. Watson - A. Balding
A fast and furious contest was expected with the listed City Walls Stakes which often attracts a field that is a better quality than listed level. Since the switch from Chester to York in 2008, the City Walls Stakes has made an impact on the Nunthorpe Stakes at the following month's Ebor Festival. In 2021, Winter Power blitzed this race before conquering Europe's best in the Nunthorpe and last year, Royal Aclaim announced herself to the world with an equally impressive win in this race. 
This year's renewal was set to be a well contested event with the high quality entries of Queen Me, Regional and Tees Spirit, but the change in ground conditions ruled them out of the race. It left a more open field with the likes of rising handicappers Kerdos, Chipstead and Silkie Wilkie competing with past Listed Race winners Nymphadora, Great State and Mondammej. 
Speed was of the essence and the strong, gusty tailwind helped to push the horses along in the opening stages. The lightly raced Changeofmind led in the early stages as Silkie Wilkie and Nymphadora kept in close contact. The Andrew Balding-trained filly Nymphadora took over at the front of the pack and ground out an impressive win, relishing the conditions under Jason Watson. Crossing the line just under two lengths clear, it was a second win in three starts for the four-year-old. A smart juvenile in 2021, the daughter of No Nay Never won the listed Marygate Stakes at York during that year's Dante Festival and she had been a regular in this company ever since. Suited by the way the race was run, Nymphadora made it look relatively easy. Back in second came the valiant Silkie Wilkie with previous Listed Race winner Great State back in fourth and the veteran Mondammej running on for fourth. 

Race Three: The 64th John Smith's Cup Heritage Handicap - Class 2 - 1 Mile, 2 Furlongs - 18 Runners

Winner: Pride Of America (#3) (American Post x Atarfe) - F. Larson - A. Murphy.
One of York's biggest races of the entire season celebrated its sixty-fourth running this year and has produced some star names of the future on its roll of honour. This year's Group One winner Anmaat was a cosy victor twelve months ago and the trend of a lightly raced, unexposed four year old winner was expected to continue. 
Representing the younger brigade was the likes of Sea The Casper, Nobel and Marhaba The Champ were all progressing nicely. They wouldn't have it all their way however as there was plenty of battle hardened handicappers in opposition. Course regular Spirit Dancer held a good record on the Knavesmire while Scampi has been doing his owners proud in valuable handicaps all summer as well as a win over further at York back in May. The ex-French trained Millebosc was an eye-catching entry for William Haggas with previous placed form in Group One company.
In a classic finish, there would be a shock in store as longshot Pride Of America held on bravely from fellow outsider Astro King. The race suited those who like to race with the pace and from the outset, Qatar Racing's Nobel led the field along under Cieren Fallon. Keeping the leader in check was the likes of Maries Diamond, Spirit Dancer, the keen going Pride Of America and Haunted Dream. 
As the field turned for home, the runners began to fan out across the track and make their bid for glory. Entering the final two furlongs, Pride Of America nosed ahead and went for home under Frederik Larson. Nobel began to wobble and drifted to his left as Haunted Dream was next to challenge. The black cap of Astro King was buried in midfield but was moving stylishly under Tom Eaves. It would then be down to Pride Of America and the flying Astro King at the finish and in a brilliant head bobbing finish, the judge was called into action. After a wait that felt like forever, the photo finish showed Pride Of America had landed the historic race, a first time win in the race for trainer Amy Murphy.
The horse will have loved the sound of rain falling on the ground as the classy handicapper has plenty of smart form on softer ground. Last seen running in a Group 3 in France, he looked burdened by a big weight. The help of rising star Frederik Larson helped to reduce the weight and the young jockey added his name to the roll of honour alongside many top class jockeys of the future.

Race Four: The John Smith's Silver Cup Stakes - Group 3 - 1 Mile, 6 Furlongs - 5 Runners
Winner: Hamish (#1) (Motivator x Frog) - T. Marquand - W. Haggas.
A useful support act to the main action is this group three for stayers which bears influence on the Ebor Handicap later in the year. Two years ago, Sonnyboyliston took part in this race before his battling win in the Ebor two months later. Also in that race, Hukum bolted up to announce himself on the main stage and the full brother to Baeed went on to win the Group One Coronation Cup last year. 
Due to other races of a similar distance in close proximity to this race, the field size is often small and unappealing, especially last year where there was just three runners. This year's line up was another small but select field which included some classy names. The remarkably consistent Hamish made a rare appearance on track with conditions to his favour and he faced old rivals Tashkhan and Get Shirty. Improving handicapper Teumessias Fox and dual purpose horse Scriptwriter completed the line up. 

The soft ground was music to Hamish's ears as a slow ground lover and the market was expecting this to be an easy task for the seven year old. However, things didn't go to plan and the outcome was closer than many expected. From the stalls, Hamish and Get Shirty were slow to break, but the long distance nature of the race allowed them to regain composure. Tashkhan set a modest gallop throughout and was still in the firing line approaching the final furlong. The Milton Harris trained Scriptwriter, a classy hurdler, arrived on the scene and looked set to cause an upset, but the old favourite Hamish wasn't far away and battled hard. As the leaders pulled clear of the fourth placed Teumessias Fox, it was Hamish who got his nose in front on the line over Scriptwriter and Tashkhan. The very lightly raced winner is rarely seen on track due to his love for soft ground, but has now won eight of his fifteen career starts. Runner up in the Irish St. Leger last year, the inmate of William Haggas is much loved and gained another win at York. 

Race Five: The John Smith's Nursery Handicap - Class Four - 6 Furlongs - 12 Runners
Winner: Specific Times (#9) (Blue Point x Daily Times) - J. Hart - C. Johnston. 
A class four nursery handicap which had a respectable amount of prize money on offer was well supported with a field of twelve. The line up consisted of many horses returning to this level after a big day out at Royal Ascot where they finished down the field in the biggest juvenile races of the year. The likes of Ticktyboo, Scoops Ahoy, Onigiri and Biloxi Girl had all shown ability before their blips in the form book. 
There would be an all-the-way winner as the Charlie Johnston-trained Specific Times went from pillar to post. Given a well judged ride by "Jase The Pace", Jason Hart, the thrice raced filly found herself clear entering the final stages. As challengers lined up behind her, Specific Times kept finding more and crossed the line two lengths clear of the quirky Callianassa and Onigiri.  Having shown promise in all three starts in maiden company, the daughter of leading first season sire Blue Point improved for today's step up in trip to six furlongs. Showing a brave attitude, she appears tailor made for the upcoming Glorious Goodwood festival in which the Johnston stable have historically found great success. 

Race Six: The John Smith's Stayer's Handicap - Class 4 - 2 miles - 9 Runners

Winner: Robert Johnson (#6) (Helmet x Sensationally) - C. Beasley - P. Kirby
It was the turn of the stayers this time with the long distance handicap over two miles. A field of sixteen took the start in a competitive contest in which there was plenty of in form horses. The Phil Kirby-trained Robert Johnson has become a revelation in recent weeks with four wins from his last five starts and had shot up the ratings. The stables of Ian Williams, Charlie Johnston, Jim Goldie and Sir Mark Prescott are synonymous with long distance types and they were unsurprisingly represented with runners here. The dual purpose type Malakhana had been running well all year for Ian Williams and arrived here with a solid chance. 
As grey skies returned to threaten the racing, the red hot Robert Johnson blew his rivals away yet again. From the word go, the Jim Goldie trained filly Sophiesticate raced keenly under William Pyle and found herself six lengths clear at half way. As the leader weakened quickly, the main protagonists arrived on scene. Malakhana put in another bold bid as she took over the lead but to her inside, the favourite Robert Johnson was travelling well under Connor Beasley. Strongest at the finish, the five year old gelding pulled clear of his rivals to win by three lengths over Malakhana and the staying-on Sharp Distinction. 
The son of Helmet has proven a revelation since leaving the Rebecca Menzies stable near Sedgefield and arriving down the road at Phil Kirby's picturesque stable in Catterick. Winning for the fifth time in seven starts this year, his rating has rocketed from a low of 52 to a current of 72 with the potential to rise even higher. The fashion of the victory suggested the horse is enjoying life at the moment and could further extended his winning streak. 

Race Seven: The John Smith's Sprint Handicap - Class 4 - 6 Furlongs - Runners
Winner: Roundhay Park (#9) (Mayson x Brave Mave) - A. Jary - N. Tinkler
For those who had yet to find a winner on the card to this point, they would find it difficult to pick the winner of the lucky last in this very tricky finale. A class four handicap sprint can often throw up a different result each time if it was run twenty times over and there was plenty of old rivals in the line up. 
The brave and consistent mare Miss Bella Brand was expected to run well once again for Ilka Gansera-Leveque and she was well fancied in the field of sixteen. Recent winner Fantasy Master arrived in good form while the frustrating yet talented Ghathanfar had dropped to a dangerous rating in his bid to return to the winner's enclosure.
There was plenty of pace in the field as so often is the case at York and the field split into a larger ground and smaller group on the stands side. Little Muddy soon became overall leader inside the final furlong with Ascot Adventure and Muscika close behind. Arriving with a late run was the veteran Roundhay Park who came through the traffic and led in the final strides. It was a well timed ride by Alex Jary who continues to catch the eye and he is an amateur with a bright future in the coming months. 
The veteran eight year old is a much loved part of the Nigel Tinkler stable and made it eleven wins from sixty two career starts. In a theme of experience, there was a big run from Muscika to finish fourth on his one hundreth start. A cause for celebration for their respective stables.