Race One: The Queen Mothers Cup (Female Riders) (Class Four) (1 mile, 4 furlongs) (15 Runners)

Winner: KIHAVAH (#5) (Harbour Watch x Roheryn) - Miss J. Townend - A. Keatley
A popular tradition at the meeting, this race was well supported and fiercely fought over with all fifteen lady riders aiming for the trophy and first prize of their weight in champagne. 
There has been a definite rise in the ability of female jockeys in recent times and some high profile names featured in the line up. Leading riders for years Serena Brotherton and Gina Andrews took part in the race once again while there next generation were aiming to take over the mantelpiece. Fern O'Brien, daughter of leading jumps trainer Fergal, Alice Stevens and Brodie Hampson have all made a big impression in recent years and there was a rare ride in Britain for Jody Townend, sister of Irish champion jumps rider Paul. 
The equine athletes were of a good quality themselves. Kihavah, a two time winner at the Dante meeting, drew automatic interest while one time smart hurdler Impulsive One looked to be a shrewd purchase for trainer Brian Ellison. Last years' winning stable, the yard of Ian Williams, was represented by Dream Harder while jumps trainer Milton Harris saddled Postmark, a winner over hurdles in February. 
The market confidence in Kihavah was justified as punters got the day off to a flying start with an easy winner. The booking of leading Irish conditional jockey Jody Townend at declaration stage caught the eye and spoke highly of connection's confidence. Not only is she the sister of leading jumps rider Paul Townend, Jody is gaining a growing reputation for herself in the saddle. The early pace was steady with many runners racing keenly in the opening exchanges. There was drama at the halfway stage as the Kayleigh Stephens-ridden Saratoga Gold clipped heels and unseated his rider with a mile to go. The horse galloped along as if nothing happened and even provided a say in the outcome. Entering the final furlong, early leader Cardano began to weaken but Kihavah was easily spotted travelling well. The six year old found plenty for pressure and came clear to score by three lengths. Dream Harder had to avoid the loose horse but stayed on stoutly for second as well as Furzig into third. Fourth place was shared by Bollin Margaret and Yorkshire Lady.
It was another York win for the Adrian Keatley-trained Kihavah, taking his tally to three after winning two editions of a race at the Dante festival. This race was clearly a plain hidden in plain sight and it would be a notable achievement for young Jody Townend. 

Race Two: The Sky Bet Handicap (Class Three) (7 Furlongs) (13 Runners)
Winner: WILD LION (#4) (The Last Lion x Snow Powder) - K. O'Neill - S. Bin Suroor
Another competitive seven furlong handicap took place at this meeting as this valuable handicap some specialists at this distance. 
Eligible lined up at York once again following his win at the Dante festival in which he came from last to first in impressive style. The David O'Meara-trained Darkness has finished a close runner-up on his previous two starts and was looking for some deserved compensation. Godolphin were represented by Wild Lion, a three time winner on the all-weather and making a return from a break having been last seen in Meydan in February. The ten-year-old Scottish Summit arrived in good form after winning on his latest start and at the other end of the age spectrum, the lightly raced three-year-old Indian Falcon made appeal from a feather weight. 
There would be a blanket finish at York again, but the very brave Wild Lion fended off his prey to land the class three event. The first two would remain those postions from start to finish as the Wild Lion and Gweedore eyeballed each other for the entire seven furlongs. As those from behind challenged around them, the early leaders kept up their duel but it would be Wild Lion who found that extra stride more and won by half a length. Gweedore would take an equally brave second while Scottish Summit stayed on into third. It was a rare win on turf for the five year old winner, but a winning return from a break. Last seen in Meydan back in February, he had clearly acclimatised to Britain once again and posted a smart display. A triple winner on the all-weather, Wild Lion is still lightly raced and could have more to offer for the rest of this year. 

Race Three: The Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup Stakes (Listed Race) (1 mile, 6 furlongs) (6 runners)

Winner: QUICKTHORN (#4) (Nathaniel x Daffydowndilly) - J. Hart - H. Morrison
Another step on the ladder towards the prestigious Ebor Handicap in August took place here with a well contested listed race for stayers. The £70,000 race saw just three runners last year so this year was an instant upgrade on twelve months ago.
Heading the entries was the 2021 winner of this race, Roberto Escobarr. Lightly raced since that battling victory, the William Haggas-trained six year old landed a group three at Sandown over two miles on his latest start. His opponents looked set to provide a stern test with likes of Lonsdale Cup winner Quickthorn and the useful filly Divine Jewel made her return to the track. Israr had always promised to be a classy older horse and looks set to live up to that potential. The four year old regally bred colt was beaten narrowly on his return and had to cope with a step up to fourteen furlongs for the first time.
The race would go to a familiar face on the Knavesmire as the gallant front-runner Quickthorn was given a brilliantly judged ride by Jason Hart. Helping to set the pace on the rail, he was in his customary position throughout. After seeing off fellow pace setters Outbox and Roberto Escobarr, Jason Hart faced a big challenge from Israr under Jim Crowley. Quickthorn would keep on finding for pressure and determinedly held on to the win ahead of Israr and a promising return from Divine Jewel.
The six year old gelding has been around for a while now but holds an impressive record at York. A second in an Ebor, a huge margin win in last year's Lonsdale Cup and arrived here on the back of a close fourth in the Yorkshire Cup last month. A credit to his connections, it was good to see this popular stayer back in the winners' enclosure. 

Race Four: The Oakmere Homes Supporting MacMillan Heritage Handicap (Class Two) (6 Furlongs) (21 runners)

Winner: QUINAULT (#11) (Oasis Dream x Queimada) - C. Planas - S. Williams 
One of the biggest three year old only handicaps of the season took place with a full field of twenty two progressive sorts, hoping to follow in the footsteps of some illustrious former winners. The likes of subsequent Group winners Twilight Son, Tax Free and Mr Lupton have all used this race as a springboard to the big league of sprinters. 
This year's running of what used to be known as the Caroline Pavers Memorial Handicap saw plenty of talent including some high class juveniles from last year. The weights were headed by Mill Stream and Rousing Encore, both of whom filled the frame in big races such as the Mill Reef and Gimcrack Stakes. Dropping into handicap company, this was possibly more to their liking. Along with the classy types, there was the progressive types such as Quinault for trainer Stuart Williams. The son of Oasis Dream arrived at York after winning his last four starts at a lower level. Safari Dream had been highly consistent throughout his short career and the likes of Rabaah, Garner, Dark Kestral and Zouky had all raced just a handful of times.
As so often is the case at York, the draw would be a critical component in the outcome of the race. Jockeys will be looking for the best strip of ground and in-running traffic will be another obstacle to overcome.
The place to be in this race would be at the head of affairs with another battling display by the winner. With many front runners, the gallop was always going to be end to end and it produced a thrilling finish. The remarkable rise of Quinault continued with another victory. The son of Oasis Dream was the marginal overall leader in the early stages alongside Washington Heights and Mill Stream. Crossing the line, Washington Heights had made a bold bid for the win, but Quinault rallied gamely to deny his rival in a repeat of a class two handicap at Newmarket four weeks ago. It was a fifth win in a row and the fashion of his narrow wins mean he won't be harrassed by the handicapper. It would be the biggest win of young Connor Planas's career with a prestigious prize. A winner of the first race on the previous day, his abilities were seen on nationwide television.

Race Five: The Reg Griffin Appreciation EBF Maiden Stakes (Class Three) (6 Furlongs) (7 Runners)
Winner: TWILIGHT ROMANCE (#6) (Twilight Son x Red Box) - J. Hart - J. Quinn. 

A traditionally strong maiden year on year, this event for two-year-olds is named in honour of the late Reg Griffin, the co-founder of Timeform, a key ally to the form analysts. The highest profile name to have won this race is Cold Case, a tough and quality juvenile who landed listed races and placed in the Gimcrack Stakes along the way.
This year's running looked a similarly interesting renewal with some promising once raced types and well bred newcomers. The Craig Lidster-trained Land Lover posted an eye-catching debut effort over five furlongs at the Dante meeting here before finishing fourth in an Epsom conditions race on Derby day. Stepping up in trip for the first time, his formlines were strongest of the seven runners. Also at the Dante meeting, the Kevin Ryan-trained colt We Never Stop finished third over this distance and posed a worthy challenger for favouritism. A half brother to the smart Gozen, he has been held in high regard. The newcomers were led by Richard Fahey's Silent Move, who was looking to become yet another high class juvenile prospect this season and Karl Burke's colt Indicate would also demand respect from punters.
There was another smart performance in a York maiden this season as the colt Twilight Romance romped home to win for the first time at second time of asking. Despite the small field, the pace appeared to be quick as We Never Stop and Twilight Romance took each other in the early stages. Travelling strongly throughout, the eventual winner pulled clear of We Never Stop to land this traditionally strong maiden. A son of Twilight Son, a former winner of the main race on this card, the juvenile had finished a strong finishing third on debut at Haydock. With natural improvement from first to second start, this was an impressive win and he could rate even higher for the John Quinn stable. 

Race Six: The Ice Co Supporting MacMillan Handicap (Class Four) (1 Mile, 1 Furlong) (11 Runners)
Winner: MOSTAWAA (#10) (Poet's Voice x Mumtaza) - H. Doyle - H. Main

The action moved up in distance to a race start used sparingly throughout the season, nine furlongs. The intermediate distance suits those who slightly lack the stamina for ten furlongs and connections will be looking to take advantage of this opportunity. Pisanello headed the weights in the hope of going one place better than last year's runner-up spot in this race. Jewel Maker made a quick reappearance after running at Beverley the previous week and there was a couple of last time out winners in the field, Mostawaa and Whats The Story.
There would be another all-the-way victory on the card, this time for the Heather Main-trained Mostawaa, who has now won twice in succession having gone a long time between victories. Racing at the front of affairs under Hollie Doyle, the seven-year-old increased the tempo inside the final two furlongs. The veteran Whats The Story made a big challenge at the furlong pole and Tropez Power finished well from the rear, but it was the son of Poet's Voice who kept on strongly and won going away from his rivals at the finish. Winning for the first time over further than a mile, Mostawaa increased his career tally to five wins. 

Race Seven: The Clean Up With PPS Handicap (Class Four) (6 Furlongs) (15 Runners)
Winner: THE GREEN MAN (#3) (Acclamation x Lydia Becker) - K. Fraser - J. Parr
Yet another competitive handicap completed the day's racing and there was plenty of chances in an open sprint handicap. The Adrian Nicholls stable had been flying in recent weeks and the stable relied on quick fire double scorer Abate, ridden by daughter Mia. There was plenty of classy types dropping down in grade for this class four including Soldier's Minute, who landed a class two event here just two years ago and Many A Star, winner at last year's Glorious Goodwood.
Last year's winner of the race Good Earth returned on the back of a win at Beverley the previous weekend and there was also yet another York start for the likes of Musicka, As If By Chance and Ghathanfar, all regulars to the course.
The interesting runner would be the returning Good News, trained by Saeed bin Suroor. The five year old hadn't raced since 2021 but looked promising at a younger age. 
In typical handicap fashion, there was plenty of chances entering the final stages but the winner was a clear cut and decisive one. In the early stages, Rathbone towed along plenty of rivals including the fancied Good Earth, Abate and Ghathanfar. Over on the far side, the blue silks of The Green Man was easy to spot going well throughout the event and it was the Joseph Parr-trained gelding who responded best of all in the final stages. Ridden by young apprentice Kaiya Fraser, who has been catching the eye of many trainers in his short career, The Green Man bounded clear on the quick ground to win by over three lengths. It would be a second win in as many starts for the four-year-old who has been largely consistent with wins on the turf and on the all-weather. The fashion of his win suggests more victories should come his way at this level.