Race One: The William Hill Extra Places Extra Races Daily Handicap - Class Three - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 18

The first race on the card would be a tricky contest to solve, as so often is the case with handicaps on the Knavesmire. The seven furlong opener would see plenty of former York winners returning to North Yorkshire and doing battle once again. 
Last year saw a thrilling finish between Vafortino and Northern Express but the Michael Dods-trained Northern Express would land his third York win.

The four year old Alzahir won twice for this previous trainer but joined the David O'Meara yard midway through last year. The gelding has blown hot and cold so far and was last since trailing home in a hot Royal Ascot handicap. Bear Force One has been a smart miler in handicap company over the past few seasons and the eight year old joined the Michael Dods yard this year. He would have to prove his capability away from Newbury. The quirky Billyb joined the Craig Lidster yard this year and after a good stable debut, he won stylishly next time out at Beverley. He confirmed his wellbeing with a good effort over a mile last time. The Sean and John Quinn runner Brazen Bolt was successful on his venture to Bahrain at the start of the year, but since returning home he has been out of form on the all-weather. The Kevin Ryan-trained Catch The Paddy was a decent juvenile two years ago but has been inconsistent since. However, his latest win came over this trip and he caught the eye last time out. The Roger Fell and Sean Murray-trained Hectic appears to ready to strike from his reduced rating and filled the frame in a few starts last month. The very well bred Leadenhall switched to the Tim Easterby yard where the quirky sort showed encouragement on his first two starts, but dropped to seven furlongs here. Master Richard won a big handicap at the 2022 Ebor Festival for the Ann Duffield stable, but he has been hard to predict in recent starts. Richard Fahey's Maywake has won plenty of times around this level, including at York in the past. The six year old ran respectably in a big Royal Ascot handicap last time out. Another from the Richard Fahey yard would be the filly No Nay Nicki, who has run well here on occasions, but this season has been a little frustrating. The four year old Quandary has frustrated connections with a string of placed efforts this year on the all-weather, but Ed Bethell's filly ran below form when back on turf last time. The Tim Easterby-trained Quest For Fun won a competitive handicap over this trip last year and put his good course experience to good use when finishing second here at the last meeting. David O'Meara's Riot is another course regular and took home a similar contest back in May. He was back in winning action again at Doncaster on his latest start. The Marco Botti-trained grey Silver Samurai won for the fifth successive season on his latest start and has been a good servant to connections. The Kevin Philippart de Foy yard went close to winning this race last year and relied on their useful Street Kid this year. The six year old has won plenty throughout his career. The in form stable of Brian Ellison saddled Tolstoy, who achieved a rare feat of winning two races at York in two days, both over seven furlongs and he looked a reformed character. Harriet Bethell's Yanifer was progressing nicely two years ago but has been lightly raced since. Despite this, the six year old hasn't been beaten far in three starts this year. The evergreen Zip is a popular member of the Richard Fahey team and completed the line up following plenty of solid runs in defeat. 

Winner: TOLSTOY (#14) (Kingman x War And Peace) - S. Farmer - B. Ellison
The Friday afternoon race meeting would get underway under a drizzly shower and sub average temperatures for July, but the action in the first race would soon warm racegoers up. 
Seven furlong handicaps such as this one are often hotly contested with jockeys desperate to bag a good position before the field sweep into the home straight. Bear Force One would be sharpest away and gained the early lead as Yanifer was also up close in second. The likes of Maywake, Zip, Brazen Bolt and Street Kid were also prominent while further back, the Easterby pair of Quest For Fun and Leadenhall, Riot and Alzahir would race further back. Approaching the two furlong point, the field would spread out across the track as the majority would have a chance of winning. Yanifer nosed into the lead as Bear Force One quickly weakened, but those held up began to make their move. Quest For Fun would be the latest to lay down his challenge but towards the near side, the eye was drawn to the white cap of Tolstoy. The now familiar silks would make the regular swoop down the nearside flank and quickly burst clear into the lead. The race was over as soon as it had begun in earnest as Tolstoy would cross the line a length and a half to the good over Yanifer. The pink silks of Leadenhall weaved their way through beaten horses to stay on into third while Quest For Fun posted another solid York run.

The success of Tolstoy would continue a superb revival job by his trainer Brian Ellison as the five year old completed a hat trick of wins on the Knavesmire within the space of a month. At the previous meeting, he achieved the very rare feat of winning twice in twenty four hours and his owner boldly predicted that this race will be his next assignment. Tolstoy has also helped to propel the career of young jockey Shay Farmer, who rode his first winner on Tolstoy's first win at York, but now he excelled against leading riders on the northern circuit. The combination of horse, trainer, jockey and course have now moulded into a perfect mix. 

Race Two: The William Hill Summer Fillies' Stakes - Group Three - Six Furlongs - Runners: 12

The feature race of the day would be a valuable Group Three for fillies and mares in terms of prize money and prospective future at stud. The six furlong contest falls nicely into the calendar after Royal Ascot, so some smart horses have taken this prize during their careers. The likes of Flotus, Swingalong and Ladies Are Forever all won this Group Three having previously finished in the frame at the highest level. Last year, the aforementioned Swingalong landed her second Group contest by stamping her class on the race for Karl Burke.
Rod Millman's diminutive filly Adaay In Devon has been a great succes story over the last year and has been very tough to win three times already this year, including a pair of listed events. The Andrew Balding-trained Flora of Bermuda was a useful juvenile last year and has progressed further this year with a very close second in a listed race when beaten narrowly against Adaay In Devon. Ralph Beckett's four year old Funny Story signed off 2023 with a listed race win and has returned this year to finish second in another pair of listed contests. The Marco Botti-trained three year old Great Generation held an upwardly mobile profile and won for the third time in career at this level back in May. Richard Fahey's Marine Wave often travels well but has fewer wins than hoped for. Already placed at listed level, the filly returned to the winner's enclosure with a win in a good contest at Ripon last time. The Stuart Williams-trained Pandora's Gift won four times in a row on the all-weather, including an impressive listed race win but was outclassed in Group One company last time. Pink Crystal represented last year's winning owner as well as the William Haggas yard. The five year old finished a close up fourth in last year's running. Another from the Richard Fahey stable would be Pretty Crystal, who caused a surprise when winning the Nell Gwynn at Newmarket in April, but wasn't quite up to the level in the 1,000 Guineas. Prime Art was last seen winning a Group Three at Ayr when trained in Ireland, but the three year old made her seasonal reappearance for new trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam in this competitive contest. The Owen Burrows-trained Raqiya comes from a talented family and was an exciting prospect last year and made a winning seasonal return in a listed contest at Salisbury recently. Kevin Ryan's four year old Silent Words has yet to add to her debut win, but finished placed in listed company last year. She would need to improve on recent starts to figure here. The William Haggas yard was also represented by the improving filly Unequal Words, who posted a bold effort to win the hotly contested Wokingham Handicap and an attempt at Group company would be the next natural step.
Winner: FLORA OF BERMUDA (#9) (Dark Angel x Dubai Power) - PJ McDonald - A. Balding

The feature race of the day would see plenty of excitement and a finish in which the order changed plenty of times. From the outset, the keen going Silent Words would blaze a trail from the start as if it were a five furlong contest. The chasing pack were content to let the leader loose and the likes of Marine Wave, Pandora's Gift and Adaay In Devon all led the peloton. The well fancied Unequal Love, Flora of Bermuda and Great Generation were all held up as the field had already completed half race distance. 

Approaching the final furlong, the early leader Silent Words quickly burned out and it would be the likable Adaay In Devon who took up the running. There would be an eyecatching move as Marco Ghiani switched Great Generation around horses from the rear and the filly surged forward to challenge. On the near side, Unequal Love and Prime Art also looked dangers before the nosebanded Flora Of Bermuda made it five in a line. In a thrilling finish, four horses would cross the line together but Flora Of Bermuda's neck had stretched long enough to take the win. Adaay In Devon settled for a brave second while Unequal Love ran a bold race in Group company, just in front of Great Generation. 

The Andrew Balding-trained winner would be winning for just the second time in her career, but has been generally stayed at a good level. As a maiden, the daughter of Dark Angel finished sixth in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot last year and subsequently placed in the Flying Childers Stakes and Cornwallis Stakes over five furlongs. Her sole win prior to today came at a soggy Goodwood where she easily landed a conditions race. This season, the three year old reared badly at the stalls and was never in with a chance on her return at Haydock, but improved to go down fighting to Adaay In Devon at Sandown. This would be a first attempt at six furlongs since a below form run in the Lowther Stakes here last August, but the strong early pace aided her cause. Flora Of Bermuda has the pace to cope with five furlongs, so she could even return here in the Nunthorpe next month. It would also be a welcome sight to see PJ McDonald back in the winner's enclosure, days after resuming race riding after missing four and a half months with a shoulder injury in a fall. 

Race Three: The William Hill Keep Your Raceday Postitive EBF FIllies Novice - 2-Y-O only - Class Two - Six Furlongs - Runners: 5

This juvenile event for fillies has developed a habit of producing a classy filly for the future, which gives hope for those contesting this year's renewal. In 2022, the lightning fast The Platinum Queen burned a trail in the turf to win before adding a brilliant success in the Group Prix de l'Abbaye later in the year. Last year, the race was moved up to six furlongs for the first time and the well bred Symbology made a winning debut before placing twice in Group company. 

The Middleham Park Racing outfit landed this contest with The Platinum Queen two years ago and were represented this year by Rod Millman's Enigmatic Princess. The filly has shown signs of inexperience alongside some promise on track and made her third start here. Richard Fahey's Final Offer ran well on debut to finish third, but failed to back it up next time when stepped up to this trip. The most experienced runner would be Miss Hathaway for the Tim Easterby yard. She has run well on all four starts to date and looked a future winner. The John and Sean Quinn-trained Royalty Bay made a good impression when winning on debut at Ripon and then ran a great race in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot to finish sixth. Another to arrive in this contest after a trip to Royal Ascot would be Spherical, trained by Roger Varian. After winning on debut, she would struggled in the Queen Mary over the minimal trip. The final filly in the line up would be Harry Eustace's Water Music, who comes from a high class sprinting family, but has so far yet to show immediate promise.

Winner: ROYALTY BAY (#1) (Kodiac x Dubai Rainbow) - J. Hart - J & S. Quinn

The morning withdrawal of Roger Varian's Spherical robbed racegoers the chance of a "Royal Ascot Also-Rans" duel with Royalty Bay and it also reduced the interest in the race by a good amount. Just five runners went to post and it would effectively be a penalty kick for Royalty Bay.

From the moment the gates opened, Enigmatic Princess showed bright early speed to lead the pack overall down the centre of the track. The favourite Royalty Bay opted to race on the rail but kept an eye on the leader throughout as Miss Hathaway was also on the leader's tail. In behind, Water Music and Final Angel would continue to show inexperience and were the first to come under pressure. There would be a few moments of worry for favourite backers as Jason Hart began to nudge Royalty Bay further as Miss Hathaway loomed large. Enigmatic Princess soon tired from her early exploits as Royalty Bay began to stretch clear. The race would be sealed as the well supported filly pulled further clear to cross the line over three lengths to the good. Miss Hathaway showed promise again in second with Enigmatic Princess holding on for third, just ahead of Final Angel.

The winner Royalty Bay would be successful for the second time in her career and took advantage of a big drop in class. John and Sean Quinn's filly looked a bright prospect by winning at Ripon by three lengths which booked her place at Royal Ascot. She would take in the Group Three Albany Stakes, but ran a personal best by finishing a close up sixth, just behind the miraculous winner Fairy Godmother. Dropping down in the pyramid system, Royalty Bay found herself back in novice company and regained the winning feeling. The daughter of Kodiac is bred for sped as a distant relative to high class juvenile Go Bears Go, who won a Group Two a few years ago. 

Race Four: The Azets Handicap - Class Four - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners:15

Next up would be a competitive handicap for this grade, run over the middle distance of ten furlongs. Last year, the race was run in a deluge of rain but saw a clearcut winner in the form of Daniel and Clare Kubler's Andaleep.

Last year's winning stable was back again this year, this time with Al Rufaa, a seven year old who improved on the all-weather before running well at Carlisle last time out. The Kevin Philippart de Foy-trained Bint Al Daar has won a few times at this level and added to his collection last time out at Newmarket. Tom Tate's five year old Brunello Breeze has yet to win on turf, but improved to win twice on the all-weather at the start of the year. This would be his first start since February.  Richard Fahey's Cloudy Skye would be another lightly raced three year old without a win, but the three year old filly has shown ability so far in five starts. The six year old Fools Rush In joined his fifth trainer at the start of this season and has shaped as if a win is close for his new trainer Ruth Carr. The in form Glistening Nights had to wait a while for his first win, but quickly made it two in a row at Doncaster a fortnight ago and gave the Fahey team a strong hand in the contest. The Karl Burke-trained Karmology didn't make her debut until last year, but has quickly made into a decent type at this level. Masekela was once fourth in an Epsom Derby before losing his form. Now with the Tim Easterby yard, the gelding produced a much better effort when third at Doncaster a week ago. The Ian Williams-trained Parlando won in Bahrain at the start of the season and has run well without threatening the judge recently. He did his best work at the finish in a stronger race here over the same distance. The William Haggas-trained Soloman entered handicaps after three starts and is a well bred sort who would have very strong claims with his form. David O'Meara's Stressfree has a liking for softer ground condtions and returned to form with a second at Doncaster last week. The Malton based yard of Nigel Tinkler would run Theme Park at York once again and the four year old quickly emptied for stamina over this course and distance last time. Their Malton neighbour Julie Camacho saddled Titian, who made a return to the winner's enclosure at Ripon last time and has course winning form here in the past. The Scott Dixon-trained Visibility won for just the second time on turf at the start of the month, but has plenty of miles on the clock. The Ralph Beckett-trained Whiskey Pete won on his final start as a juvenile at York last autumn and after a poor seasonal reappearance, he has run well in a pair of strong handicaps. The Pam Sly-trained, owned and bred Wintercrack comes from a highly successful family and won for the second time on heavy ground in April. 

Winner: KARMOLOGY (#2) (Golden Horn x Karmadal) - S. James - K. Burke 

This competitive looking handicap got underway with Julie Camacho's Titian making the best start and gaining the lead on the dash to the first bend. Wintercrack would drop in just behind the leader with the likes of Karmology, Bint Al Daar and Glistening Nights also in close proximity. A few horses would race keenly in a steadily run contest and they would include the well fancied Solomon, Whiskey Pete and Visibility. After the field navigated the first bend, Wintercrack moved forward into the outright lead over Titian and the remainder settled into their flow.
Making the long swooping turn onto the home straight, there had been little change in the order but that was about to change. Wintercrack and Shane Kelly opted to go for the centre of the course but soon looked vulnerable as his rivals loomed large. Bint Al Daar would be the first to make headway and took over the lead narrowly. Karmology was another to be well positioned and shadowed Bint Al Daar before the pair settled down to fight for the win. From a long way back, Stressfree continued to catch the eye under a quiet ride by Mark Winn and was soon into the open. The win would be decided between Bint Al Daar and Karmology as the pair began to open a gap to the rest. Karl Burke's filly gamely battled back to gain the upper hand and crossed the line in front. Bint Al Daar would take a good second while Stressfree made ground on the leaders all the time, but was unable to bridge the gap. Whiskey Pete found some traffic issues at a crucial point, but was never nearer than fourth.

It would be a third career win for the improving four year old filly and this would be just her sixth lifetime start. The daughter of Golden Horn didn't make her debut until August last year, but created a stir by defeating a talented sort in a match race at Ripon. She went on to add another novice contest to her CV before filling the placings in handicaps recently. She has shown ability to handle most ground conditions and looks set to progress even higher for the leading Northern stable. 

Race Five: The George Blades Memorial Handicap - Class Four - One Mile - Runners: 9

A good looking handicap restricted to three year olds would come next over a mile. A relatively new contest to the racecard, the race was won last year by Simon and Ed Crisford's Monte Linas, who ran out a comfortable winner in the end.

Richard Fahey's Apocalyx showed plenty of debut promise last year when finishing second, but his form since then has taken a couple of backwards steps and moved up to a mile for the first time. The Ursa Major Racing-owned Bits And Bobs has endured a busy career so far with eighteen starts and recently joined his third different trainer, Mark Walford. He would stay on into second at Thirsk last time. Newmarket challenger Drink Dry represented the Marco Botti stable and was another to win for the first time recently, this time at Beverley. Tim Easterby's Georgie Wooster showed natural improvement when switching to handicaps and winning, but was unable to back it up recently. Scott Dixon's Golden Pharaoh recently made his British debut and has run well in a pair of class two events, most recently when fourth at Chester. Mick and David Easterby's Keep Warm won twice as a juvenile last year, but those wins came at Pontefract; a much different track to York. The Kevin Ryan-trained Sisyphean ran in some good novice contests as a juvenile and won for the first time at the start of the season. He would have excuses for his last start back in April. William Haggas' filly Tiaraqueen was given a super ride by Cieren Fallon when dictating the pace at Wetherby and entered handicaps as an unexposed and improving sort. The filly Titainium represented the Grant Tuer stable and improved with each start before winning comfortably at Newcastle recently, albeit at the basement level. 

Winner: SISYPHEAN (#1) (Dubawi x Lunar Vega) - T. Eaves - K. Ryan

Before the race, Golden Pharaoh gave notable issues leaving the parade ring but with plenty of encouragement, he was able to gallop to the start. The race itself would be dominated by one horse who looks to be a very smart type.

From the moment the gates opened at the tree lined mile start, Tiaraqueen would grab the early lead under Tom Marquand but would race s shade keenly in the opening strides. She would have the Kevin Ryan-trained Sisyphean in close company as Drink Dry and Golden Pharaoh were two others close up. The remainder would watch on from the rear, but there would be little urgency to make a forward move at this point.
As the field strode onto the home straight, Sisyphean overtook Tiaraqueen to gain the outright lead under Tom Eaves and brought the pack to the stands side rail. From the rear, the dual winner Keep Warm started to make ground on the leader and was soon a challenging position. However that move would be in vain as Sisyphean responded well to Tom Eaves' questions and quickened right away from his rivals. There would soon be a gap of five lengths as the colt returned to winning ways in emphatic style. The race for second was much closer as Keep Warm held on for the runner's up spot from Tiaraqueen while there would be another gap back to fourth which was Drink Dry.

It would be a very impressive win for the well regarded Sisyphean and the nature of the win suggested this son of Dubawi could end up at a higher level. Last year, he would make his debut in the Convivial Maiden at the Ebor Festival, one of the richest maiden races in the country and he shaped with promise in fifth. He would go close to winning next time at Ayr when beaten a neck before rounding out out the year with a fourth at Newmarket behind the exciting Hand Of God. This year, he would return at Newcastle in February where he bravely clung to the win by a nose. His next start came back at Newmarket, but he was beaten a long way from home and was found to have broken a blood vessel. That day wasn't his true showing and he really showed his ability in this contest. The good looking three year old could have more to come through the rest of the year. 

Race Six: The Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap - Class Four - Five Furlongs - Runners: 11

A very well contested and competitive handicap over the minimum trip would come next and has been won by some popular figures. Back in 2016, Bryan Smart's Alpha Delfini would return home the winner in this race before winning the 2018 Nunthorpe Stakes here at the highest level. Last year, in the driving rain, Copper Knight would be victorious at York for the seventh time to become the winningmost horse on the Knavesmire and spark great scenes in the parade ring. 

Tom Tate's Bayraat sole win came in June last year, but has the potential to run badly on occasions. The Yorkshire legend Copper Knight won this race last year to great celebration and showed no signs of slowing down with a win at Chester on his penultimate start. Paul Midgley's Glory Fighter won for the seventh time in his career back in April and has generally consistent profile at this level. His stablemate Herakles had also been running well with a string of placed efforts before winning at Ripon on his penultimate start. All four of Muker's handicap wins have come around this level and Nigel Tinkler's six year old was in winning action at Doncaster last month. The Scottish based Never Dark had been building up a return to form in recent times and Iain Jardine's gelding was in winning action a week ago. Project Dante was a very smart juvenile a few years ago, but quickly lost his way. Now with the Geoff Oldroyd stable, the five year old needed to restart his career sharpish. Thankuappreciate switched to the Declan Carroll stable halfway through last year and has run well in defeat this season, finding trouble in running on all three starts. Ziggy's Queen also carried the Middleham Park Racing silks in this contest and Richard Fahey's filly has run slightly below average at York in three starts. Wen Moon enjoyed an upturn in form towards the end of last season by winning over course and distance in October and was slowly returning to form. Ben Haslam's gelding was already in action this week when second at Pontefract.

Winner: THE COFFEE POD (#8) (Acclamation x Ethel) - T. Marquand - R. Hannon
The majority of racegoers would be forgiven for wanting no other result than a Copper Knight success, but that would appear difficult at the start as the ten year old was unable to make his usual sharp getaway from the stalls. Instead, he was ridden just behind the early pace with a little restraint. At the front, the orange visor of Glory Fighter showed bright early speed and was joined by The Coffee Pod, Herakles, Never Dark and Project Dante. A few were slow to start, which included the favourite Wen Moon, who was very awkward leaving his gate. 
The race began to heat up at the furlong pole and as Copper Knight was unable to keep up the gallop, an eighth York win looked unlikely. The orange cap of The Coffee Pod has switched left and found himself in clear space as Wen Moon travelled smoothly into contention. Thankuappreciate would be another to make eye-catching progress from the rear and he would be the final challenger to The Coffee Pod. Under a strong Tom Marquand ride, the three year old gamely held off Thankuappreciate to record a second career success. Wen Moon would place for the second time in a week while Copper Knight was unable to keep up with younger legs in fourth. 

The winner would be successful for the second time in both his career and at York. The Coffee Pod showed smart form as a juvenile last year and gained his first win over six furlongs on the Knavesmire back in September. He then showed decent form without winning over five and six furlongs, including when seventh in the big three year old handicap here in June. His handicap rating had also slipped from a high of 86 to a current 75. All of these factors contributed to a return to the winners' enclosure for his excited Middleham Park Racing owners. 

Race Seven: The William Hill Bet In Running Apprentice Handicap - Class Four - One Mile, Four Furlongs - Runners: 11

The finale of the card would be a race for the future stars of the saddle with this apprentice handicap over twelve furlongs. This race was also a new addition to the card last year and despite the miserable conditions, Sean Kirrane would complete a quickfire double on the day with Gibside. 

Arkendale would represent the Ed Bethell stable but held just one career win to his name. He has recently been failing to stay further than a mile, but connections clearly felt this easier contest would be a better judgement of his stamina limits. The Michael Dods stable saddled Billy No Mates, who has won plenty of the course of the last six seasons, but was disappointing in a competitive event at Thirsk last time. A popular member of the Roger Fell and Sean Murray stable would be Cockalorum, who won for the ninth time on his latest start at Beverley. Another veteran of his respective yard would be Richard Fahey's Furzig, who has alternated the turf and all-weather recently with mixed results. The Epsom based Adam West saddled Good Too, who holds comparatively few miles on the clock for a five year old, but made a winning stable debut last time out. The six year old Grand Scheme joined the Sam England stable last year before attempting hurdling to little success. He ran twice on the flat last summer but gained little. The five year old Kitsune Power took a while to settle at the Tim Easterby stable but returned to winning ways last time at Thirsk when stepped up to a mile and three quarters. Andrew Balding's Lieber Power won as a juvenile in 2022 before taking in some very competitive contests afterwards. He remained lightly raced and dropped down in class. The four year old Soowaih swapped Newmarket for Glasgow as he joined the Jim Goldie stable at the start of the season. He has run well in a series of races this season, including last time when hampered in his run. Shifter would find a boost of improvement when moving to the Wilf Storey stable and won twice in succession in May. She would run well once again here when third but was out of sorts on the all-weather last time. The field was completed by Toshizou, who has been kept busy this year and posted some good efforts amongst some poor ones. 

Winner: LIEBER POWER (#4) (Cracksman x Astrelle) - C. Hutchinson - A. Balding

The early race pace would be a modest one, so it would be a test of patience and mental strength for these young riders, but experience would prove key in the end. 

The starting point would be parallel to the stands and all eyes were fixed on the action. Toshizou would cut out the running under Brandon Wilkie, but he was soon surpassed by the keen going Good Too, who carried Christian Howarth into the lead halfway down the straight. The veteran Cockalorum was also close to the pace under Ben Sanderson as Furzig, Shifter and Billy No Mates would be just a few of those held up early on. 
As the field made the long turn into the home straight, Cockalorum brought the field to the centre of the course and the pace began to ramp up. Good Too's enthusiastic ways began to catch up with him approaching the final two furlongs as Kitsune Power looked a danger as well. Soowaih would be next to make ground from the rear under Amie Waugh and looked set to take the race for the Jim Goldie yard. There would be a wall of horses across the track with the blue silks of Lieber Power still there pitching. As Cockalorum drifted to his left, a gap in the wall emerged and Lieber Power burst through. Time was running out for the four year old but his late charge got him to the post in front by the slender margin of a neck. Soowaih had to settle for second while Cockalorum ran a bold race in third, just in front of the keeping on Good Too.
It would be a second win of the day for trainer Andrew Balding, whose stable continue to fire out winners. The gelded son of Cracksman was evidently held in high regard earlier in his career after winning on second start at the end of 2022. He would then contest in hot handicaps last year such as the London Gold Cup and King George VI Stakes where he finished down the field. This year, his form had yet to take off but he had taken part in some useful handicaps. This race would be a much easier task and despite the stamina question, he responded with a last gasp win. It would be a win too for Callum Hutchinson, one of the more experienced apprentice riders as he would take his eighty-eighth win of his career; one step closer to the magic hundred.