Race One: The eventmasters.co.uk Handicap - Class Four - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 18

The first race of this belated race meeting would dive straight into a competitive contest with a seven furlong handicap which saw the return of plenty of York regulars. Races of this nature often provide a strong pace to aim at which leads to exciting finishes. Twelve months ago, the Tim Easterby-trained Quest For Fun got up in the closing stages to deny Challet, Ascot Adventure and this season's York winner Riot, with the majority of those competing in last year's renewal returning to York subsequently.

The top weight would be Nigel Tinkler's Another Investment who has yet to win since a success here over the distance back in June 2023, but has been running over slightly shorter trips recently. Kevin Ryan's Chuzzlewit was last successful on the all-weather back in March, but has fared no better than midfield in a string of races back on turf. Tanmaawy was a once useful prospect as a younger horse and is now trained by Heather Main. The six year old showed more encouragement last time over this distance. The four year old Desert Falcon landed a couple of races for the Sir Mark Prescott stable last year before moving north to the Julie Camacho yard. In two runs this year, he has been below his best. The well bred but unreliable Leadenhall has threatened to win again in the near future following a staying on third at the previous meeting in a similar contest. Great Max was highly regarded after a debut win back in 2021, but he has been winless since. Now with the David O'Meara stable, his rating has dropped due to his recent form and could be the type to win soon for this yard. Micky Hammond's Carnival Zain has yet to match the heights of 2022 where he won five times and he has been sighted only twice this year, both times at York and finishing in the pack. The Richard Fahey-trained Craven has a decent record at York, including a third here at the Dante meeting in May. He would produce a lesser effort however on his latest start. Charencey has been in good form recently for the Ian Williams stable and finished strongly to force a dead heat win at Doncaster last time out. Another from the Kevin Ryan stable would be The Cookstown Cafu, who ran at a decent level earlier stage of his career, but has been inconsistent recently. He would have the help of Hollie Doyle in the saddle. Heroism's only win came on his debut two years ago, but he ran decent races in defeat for his previous stable. Now trained by David and Nicola Barron, he was down the field at Ripon when last seen in May. Another in form runner would be Gemma Tutty's Patontheback, who landed a brace of wins recently before following up with a pair of seconds. He moved up in grade, but was in good heart. The John and Sean Quinn-trained Finbar's Lad has relatively few miles on the clock and was last successful in the summer of last year. He has been finishing well in the closing stages over this trip on his last two starts. Danny Brooke's Bowman won on first start after wind surgery back in April before going close on his next two starts. His latest run was below form, but that was down to soft ground. The second contender from the Richard Fahey yard would be No Nay Nicki, who was smart at her best as a three-year-old, but has been quite disappointing recently including on numerous starts here. Brian Ellison's Utilis remains a maiden, but occasionally puts in a good performance. An example of that would be a second over a mile three starts ago, but was outpaced over six furlongs here last time out. The field would be completed by the Iain Jardine runner Kat's Bob, who made a good start to the year with a win at Southwell, but this would be his first race since February. 

Winner: CRAVEN (#8) (Havana Gold x Morant Bay) - B. Garritty - R. Fahey

The action for the evening would get underway to a large crowd and bright sunshine. There would be the customary dash for the lead from the moment the stalls opened before the track takes a dog leg turn into the home straight. The Rowan Scott-ridden Patontheback would show cat like reactions to shoot out of his gate into the early overall lead as there would be plenty of scrimmaging in behind. Up close to the pace in the opening exchanges would be the likes of Craven, Bowman, Finbar's Lad, Desert Falcon and The Cookstown Cafu. Towards the rear, Tanmaawy reared as the gates opened and was slowly away along with Great Max and Charencey. 
The early pace was decent with plenty of prominent racers and the field was soon at the final furlong pole as the race began to heat up. Finbar's Lad and Bowman moved forward to take over in front as Patontheback weakened out of things quickly. Within the pack, there would be numerous hard luck stories as Great Max was repeatedly blocked during his challenge and Charencey clipped heels of those in front and Jo Mason did very well to stay onboard. Up front, it would be much calmer. Finbar's Lad shrugged off Bowman and looked set to return to winning ways, but the yellow and purple silks of Craven began to rally close up and with a late run, he managed to nail Finbar's Lad on the line and the judge declared that Richard Fahey's runner was the winner. Bowman returned to form in third, while Desert Falcon posted his best effort for a while in fourth. 
In a thrilling finish to the opening contest, the outcome would be decided early on. York is a racecourse that benefits those who race near the front and the first five finishers in the race had raced near the early leader. They were able to stay out of trouble and fight it out between themselves. The four year old Craven did well to get back up under Billy Garritty as at one stage down the home straight, he would be outpaced and went backwards for a few strides. It would be just his second career win, with the first coming back in early 2023, but his course form brought him into the equation. With a respectable five top four placings on the Knavesmire, his odds of 20-1 looked big with the "horses for courses" angle. 

Race Two: The Pearly Cow Handicap - Class Four - Two Miles - Runners: 8

The second race would take up a new guise under a slightly revamped two day meeting this weekend. The race was run last year as a contest for amateur riders and raced over ten furlongs which led to the Karl Burke-trained Tele Red winning impressively under Jack Lander. Since the revamp, this race has increased in distance to the stamina testing two miles and is now open to fully fledged riders. Nonetheless, the contest would lose little of its competiveness and it would provide a wide open race.

 Scottish raider Bringbackmemories showed his ability with a third in a good contest at Newcastle two starts ago, but was unable to get involved over course and distance at the previous meeting. David O'Meara's Churchella was another to contest the two mile race here a fortnight ago, but could only manage seventh. The filly is a multiple winner over this distance earlier in the year. Mick Appleby's Le Rouge Chinois began his career in Scandinavia and was a winner on the all-weather earlier this year, but ran poorly here last time out. Tim Easterby's Marbuzet finished second over course and distance last year and apart from struggling in a competitive contest at Newcastle, has been generally consistent. The likable grey Red Force One sporadically finds form with a bang and he is a former course and distance winner. Phil Kirby's nine year old arrived here on the back of a three timer of wins, but had shot back up the ratings. The grey Gifted Angel switched to hurdling last summer and quickly fired in a hat trick of wins in the new discipline. He remains winless on the flat, but finished within touching distance of the winner last time out. The theme of dual purpose runners would continue as Ian Williams's Tailorman began life in bumpers at the start of the year, but switched to the flat later on. His best effort would come on penultimate start where he was collared on the line by Sea Grey at Chester. Jacqueline Coward's Valley Of Flowers made a bold attempt to win here last time where she was outbattled by Tim Easterby's Zimmerman over course and distance a fortnight ago, but a repeat of that effort would see her go close. 

Winner: CHURCHELLA (#2) (Churchill x Elizabelle) - D. Tudhope - D. O'Meara

The longest race of the night got underway and gave the crowd plenty of time to see the horses in action. The likable grey Red Force One would lead early at no more than an ordinary pace while the darker grey Gifted Angel eyeballed him alongside. Just in behind the two leaders would be Bringbackmemories, Le Rouge Chinois and Tailorman, while Marbuzet, Valley Of Flowers and Churchella brought up the rear. 
The pack meandered their way around the Knavesmire with a few horses racing keenly, hoping to go faster than their jockeys allowed them to. Approaching the business end of the race, Red Force One would be passed in the lead and weakened very quickly, bringing an abrupt end to his challenge. Recent runner up Valley Of Flowers travelled very well into contention and began to drift towards the centre of the track. She would be joined by Le Rouge Chinois and Bringbackmemories as the race developed into a sprint. As Le Rouge Chinois kept his distance from the other two, the race shaped up to produce another close finish. Further behind the leading trio, the dark cap of Churchella began to make ground under a firm Danny Tudhope drive. The filly manoevered around the weakening Marbuzet and began to surge home. While Valley Of Flowers was occupied with Bringbackmemories, the David O'Meara runner got up in the final strides to steal the victory in a brilliant ending. Valley Of Flowers would be robbed of a win once again while Bringbackmemories completed the podium places, just ahead of Le Rouge Chinois.

It would be a fantastic "never say die" ride by leading Northern rider Danny Tudhope, whose chances looked slim at the furlong pole on Churchella. The four year old filly had plenty to do approaching the final furlong, but once she saw daylight in front of her, she finished very well to get up in the shadows of the line. This would be her fifth career win and third in 2024 as she has been revived as a stayer. Her previous start at York saw her move up to challenge, but then struggle on the softer ground. On this occasion, she would get the fast ground she prefers which saw a return to her best. A return to York for a stronger race over two miles at the Ebor Festival next month could be on the mind of connections. 

Race Three: The Ire Incentive - It Pays To Buy Irish EBF Novice Stakes - Class Three - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 20

Given its past history of winners, this novice race for two year olds could be considered as a "feature" race on the card. The seven furlong contest saw a mix of well bred newcomers, horses who have gained experience previously and a small handful of previous winners. 
Back in 2022, a little known colt from the Julie Camacho stable named Shaquille made an emphatic winning debut by three lengths before developing into the outstanding sprinter of 2023 with a brace of Group One wins. Also last year, this contest would see another winning debutant as William Haggas's Loose Cannon battled hard to defeat Candonomore in a race where the first four all developed into useful types. Loose Cannon would also go on to finish third in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at the Ebor Festival here a few weeks later. 

The class of 2024 would be headed by the first newcomer in the race. Richard Fahey's Far Ahead is a distant relative to the yard's recent star Perfect Power, a three time Group One winner a few years ago and the stable has already produced debut winners here this year. Groundhog would be another to make his debut here, this time for the David and Nicola Barron team. He wouldn't possess a stout pedigree and was already gelded before his first race. Phil Makin's Impartiality made a promising debut a few weeks ago when catching the eye and staying on into third at Ayr. With natural improvement, he would be a leading contender. Another to make their debut in this race would be Keats House for the Mick and David Easterby yard. The colt carried the Middleham Park Racing silks and is related to a couple of decent Irish horses. Next up would be the Hugo Palmer-trained King Caspar, who is closely related to a few classy multiple winners and the yard saddled the runner-up in 2016. The leading contender on form would be the Archie Watson-trained Praetorian. The son of Romanised has placed in both starts already and chased home the talented Billboard Star at Newmarket last time out. Risk would be the latest newcomer for the Tom Dascomber stable and has a nice pedigree, but this would be a warm contest to debut in. Tim Easterby won this race in 2017 with the Group Three winner Wells Farhh Go and relied on Flamborough Head this year. The gelding made his debut as recently as the weekend before when finishing ninth. The James Horton stable sent up newcomer Is I Right from Newmarket for this contest. The colt is bred for stamina, so could be one for the future. The first of two runners for the Patrick Owens stable would be Master Of Zest, a colt who was slow from the gates but did his best work at the finish to come fifth on debut. The locally based stable of Craig Lidster introduced Seed Investor in this race. The colt is related to some useful horses in France. Micky Hammond's Toby Two Scoops showed little immediate promise on his debut having looked inexperienced at Thirsk. Similar comments would apply the Kevin Frost-trained Vault Of Heaven, who was sent off a massive price on debut before finishing midfield; albeit in a class two event. The first filly in the field would come from the Richard Fahey yard. Dark Rainbow comes from a family well known to the stable, but was unable to feature on debut at Ripon. Gemma Tutty's filly Elsie's Ruan was next to make her racecourse bow, but comes from a relatively modest family. This race would be a tough introduction. The second runner for Patrick Owens would be Lolapalooza, who is related to a few winners in America and showed a small bit of promise at the unique Bath racecourse on debut. The final newcomer in this race would come from the dual purpose stable of Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole. Rainbow Rays has some classy names in her pedigree and the stable have unveiled more than one debutant winner this year. Rounding out the racecard would be Richard Fahey's third runner, Endeavouryourdreams. The filly has kept on at the same pace over sprinting distances and moved up in trip for this race. She would appear to be a longer term prospect though.

Winner: ELSIE'S RUAN (#17) (Ulysses x Lost Control) - J. Mason - G. Tutty

The traditionally fascinating race would get underway with plenty of notebooks open and ready for some eyecatchers. The keen-going Groundhog would lead the group through the first furlong and he would have the strongly fancied Praetorian for close company. The Patrick Owens-trained duo of Lolapalooza and Master Of Zest would also be up close while there would be signs of inexperience through the field. Rounding the turn into the home straight, Vault Of Heaven would be the next to join the leaders, but his cameo was only brief as the field began to fan out across the track to make their move.

The eye would be drawn to Praetorian, who travelled powerfully on the bridle into the final furlong and looked set to pick up the prize. Master Of Zest followed the favourite's challenge in the centre, but on the extreme left of the field, Elsie's Ruan made swift progress on the stand's rail. Gemma Tutty's filly burst out of the pack with her eyes on Praetorian and the two went head to head in the final stages, pulling well clear of Master Of Zest. In a battle of the two high class female riders, Elsie's Ruan began to nose in front under Jo Mason and passed the post in front. Hollie Doyle had to settle for second as Master Of Zest finished isolated in third with daylight in front and behind him. Newcomer Far Ahead "won" the race for fourth, just in front of a big group which included the likes of King Caspar and Seed Investor, who both showed potential on debut. 

In a race won by Wells Farhh Go, Vale Of York and Shaquille in the past, the winner of this race is often worth taking note of. The newcomer Elsie's Ruan isn't fancifully bred, but knew her job well enough and had to do things the hard way. Held up in the early stages, she needed to wait for her challenge. Switching to her right, she swerved around weakening rivals and kept up her gallop to run down a well regarded colt in the process. The filly is a half sister to the modest Keep My Secret, who has yet to place in five starts, but she has already surpassed her relative's achievements on track. It would also be a big day for her owners, who celebrated a winner with their first ever runner which prompted great scenes in the paddock. The profile of trainer Gemma Tutty has grown in the past two seasons and winners of this nature will continue to showcase her talents. 

Race Four: The Tomahawk Restaurants Handicap - Class Three - Six Furlongs - Runners: 21

The theme of extremely competitive handicaps on the night continued with this sprint handicap over six furlongs and it would be another filled with horses who can recite the Knavesmire with their eyes closed. Over the past four seasons, the likes of Abate, International Girl and Roundhay Park have all landed this race and continue to go strong even today. Last year, the former Group Three winner Cairn Gorm cashed in on a reduced rating to return to winning ways.

The weights would be headed by Regal Envoy for the in form William Knight stable. The gelding landed back to back wins earlier in the season, but has been unsuited by the track on his last two starts. Mark Walford's It Just Takes Time landed the opening seven furlong contest on this card two years ago on his way to winning at the majority of Yorkshire courses. He looked set for a good season this year with a second on reappearance, but his form has gone backwards since. The Godolphin silks would be a rare sight at this low-key level as Saeed bin Suroor's Rayat took his place in the line up. The four year old coped with a steep drop in trip last time to win comfortably at this distance. Michael Herrington's Good Earth is a former course and distance winner who enjoyed a purple patch in 2022, but his form would retreat. In recent times though, he has crept closer to the front and could be ready to strike. Roundhay Park is a popular veteran on the Nigel Tinkler yard and is capable of producing good runs here. He would finish fourth over course and distance in June two starts ago. The Newmarket challenger Kuwait City represented the John Butler yard and won a nice contest over five furlongs in May last year. Since then, he has been hit and miss over this distance, but this would be a competitive race. Julie Camacho's May Blossom has begun to settle in at her new stable and has been placed in her last two starts. The five furlong winner would see out the race well over six furlongs when going close recently. Animate ran well at a higher level for his previous trainer and broke a losing spell by winning at Catterick two starts ago. Geoff Harker's four year wasn't in the same form however just a week ago. The Seb Spencer-trained Archduke Ferdinand would be having a rare start over six furlongs as he has turned into a decent sort over seven furlongs and a mile. The grey would be hoping for a strong pace to finish off. Ed Bethell's filly Quandary was consistent on the all-weather earlier in the season with a series of placings. She would switch to turf where her form hasn't been as good, including here over seven furlongs a fortnight ago. Richard Fahey's Minnesota Lad cashed in on his receding handicap rating to score in last gasp fashion at Doncaster last time out and looked set to be a regular at this level. Sibyl Charm was a useful type on the all-weather at the start of the year with three wins, but Iain Jardine's filly has fared no better than fifth on turf recently. Tim Easterby's Bay Breeze last won at this time last year before taking part in some stronger contests. His rating has dropped and gained the addition of cheekpieces to aid his cause. Castan would represent the Bryan Smart stable and has been a regular over five furlongs. This would be his first start over six furlongs in two years. Another from the Tim Easterby yard would be Northern regular Count d'Orsay, who has run well in his last two starts but over five furlongs. David O'Meara's ten year old Muscika surpassed a century of starts not too long ago and retains plenty of life in his legs. After showing good form on the all-weather earlier in the year, he has been a bit part player in similar contests on turf. The five year old Runninwild has found form once again with a quickfire double of wins for trainer Ann Duffield. He would be very impressive on his latest start under retained jockey Zak Wheatley. The Tristan Davidson-trained Iris Dancer would be another in form runner arriving on the back of a win and the mare just held on to win from a reopposing May Blossom last time out. Dicko The Legend has been consistent recently for the Liam Bailey stable and after a pair of third placings, looked to be versatile with conditions. The third Tim Easterby runner would be the well travelled grey Music Society, who was second in the feature sprint on the card a few years ago, but has shown only modest form in recent starts. The final runner would be Kitaab, who was in good heart on the all-weather with a win and a handful of placings before joining Phil Kirby's yard. He would catch the eye with a strong finish into third at Chester on stable debut.

Winner: DICKO THE LEGEND (#20) (Ardad x Caledonia Princess) - H. Doyle - L. Bailey

With a near full quota of twenty-one runners, this race was always going to be competitive and so it was proved with a wide open finish. The early pace would be decent with a whole host of front runners in the field. The overall lead would be held narrowly by the old boy Musicka, who was revitalised by the refitted visor. Rayat would also be in the firing line as Archduke Ferdinand, Good Earth and Bay Breeze were all close up. A few late starters would hamper their own chances, Minnesota Lad was delayed in leaving his gate while the blindfold on Kitaab was removed late by his rider which lost him ground on the others. 

As the field hurtled towards the final furlong, the race was still anyone's guess. The white and purple silks of Iris Dancer looked a threat on the far side of the group as Muscika bravely held on to his lead. The likes of Rayat and Regal Envoy would weaken into the pack as Dicko The Legend did the opposite and made good headway. Under a powerful drive from Hollie Doyle, the gelding responded well to pressure and took over the lead from Muscika and would run out a fairly comfortable winner by a length. Muscika ran a great race in second while Iris Dancer did well to finish third having raced wide. Bay Breeze would round out the top four as the biggest eyecatcher would be Kitaab, who again flew home at the death to take seventh.

The win for Dicko The Legend wouldn't come as a huge surprise as the four year old had been in decent form since joining his current trainer Liam Bailey in May. The son of Ardad has raced over a range of distances from five furlongs even up to a mile, but six furlongs seems to be his niche. He arrived at York on the back of two third placings, one at Hamiton and one at Pontefract, in which he was beaten less than a length in both outcomes. With a good pace to aim at, the gaps opened at the right time and it would result in Dicko The Legend's third career win. He could be in for a quick return to action having been declared to race at Pontefract forty-eight hours later.  

Race Five: The British EBF Lyric Fillies' Stakes - Listed Race - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 8

The main event of the night would see a host of talented fillies and mares line up for this valuable listed race at York. The ten furlong contest is not only valuable in terms of prize money on offer, but for the winner's future at stud by gaining black type to their bloodstock profile. 

The race was first run in 2008 and has seen an impressive list of mares who have gone on to make an impact as a broodmare such as Sajjhaa, Nouriya and French Dressing, who have all produced high class offspring. In recent years, John Gosden's Fanny Logan picked up this race prior to winning a Royal Ascot Group Two and last year, Richard Fahey's Midnight Mile returned to her best with a wide margin success. 

This year's renewal would be headed by David O'Meara's Dora Milaje could only manage fourth at Pontefract last time out in listed company, but was earlier an impressive handicap winner. Kevin Ryan's Bolsena comes from an outstanding family and gained a first win back in April. Since then, she has placed in two listed contests and returned to York in search of more black type. The exciting three year old Ejaabiyah bolted up on debut last winter but after defeat at this level in April, returned to novice company where she was a wide margin winner. Another runner from flat racing's headquarters would be Fakhama, trained by William Haggas. The grey four year old won on debut last year and ran well at this level. She would finish tailed off on comeback at Royal Ascot. Karl Burke's smart Karmology has a good strike rate and bravely held on to win over course and distance in a handicap. She would be another to step up in class. The John and Thady Gosden stable are regularly represented in this contest and this year, it would be the well bred Ten Dimes. The three year old won comfortably at Newcastle in April, but was beaten into second on her latest start in June. This would be her first start on turf. Ralph Beckett landed the Irish Oaks last weekend and would be doubly represented here. Firstly, Verbier is a four year old daughter of Frankel who has just the one win, but has finished just off the podium in recent starts. Her stablemate Where I Wanna Be holds a lightly raced profile and after a narrow maiden win, finished in the placings at this level at the end of May. The field was completed by the second David O'Meara runner Zarabanda, who is now a five year old and mixes handicaps with listed contests. She struggled over a longer trip last time out.

Winner: VERBIER (#4) (Frankel x Permission Slip) - R. Ryan - R. Beckett

The feature race would get underway and it would prove an interesting race tactically. The pair of three year olds Bolsena and Ten Dimes would both take each on at the head of the field, but in turn raced overenthusiastically. The elder mare Zarabanda was also close to the early lead while the hot favourite Ejaabiyah opted for a change of tactics. Having made all the running to win last time, she would be held up by James Doyle and was slightly keen early on. Recent York winner Karmology would have a good position just behind the leaders while Fakhama and Verbier were two more to be held up. 

The race began to heat up at the two furlong pole. Bolsena and Where I Wanna Be would be the first two beaten as they were soon eased up by their jockeys. Ejaabiyah had moved well into contention despite the new tactics and looked a big threat on the near side. Karmology inherited the lead threw down her challenge under Sam James. The grey Fakhama was also there with every chance but was unable to quicken. It would leave Verbier to be the final challenger and Ralph Beckett's filly took full advantage of the opportunity. Gradually pulling clear of Karmology and Fakhama, it would be Verbier who added her name to the roll of honour in this race.

The form of the race may be brought into question, but it would still be a deserved success for the four year old Verbier, who broke the four race streak of Yorkshire-trained winners on the night. The daughter of Frankel comes from the distant family of very classy racehorse and mainstay sire Kheleyf, as well as Group Two winner Laa Rayb. This success will boost her profile as a potential broodmare and it would be just her second career win. After making a successful debut at Wolverhampton in March 2023, she would miss six months of action before returning to action in novice company. Tasting defeat in class five contests, she would swiftly move into listed events. It was in this grade where she began to show her ability as she finished a close up fourth in two contests over ten furlongs. Last time out, she was beaten a long way, but that would come over twelve furlongs so the drop back in distance proved to be her optimum. With plenty of similar races through the remainder of the season, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Verbier land further success at this level. 

Race Six: The Sky Bet Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival Handicap - Class Four - Five Furlongs - Runners: 14

The final race would act as a crowd warmer before the music concert takes over and it would be a tough looking handicap over the minimum trip for three year olds. 
Despite its class four status, the race has served as a springboard to bigger things for a couple of its former winners. Dakota Gold won this race back in 2017 and it rates as one of his six wins at York, while two years later, fellow Michael Dods inmate Que Amoro won this by a long distance and would subsequently place in the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes in 2020. Twelve months ago, Knebworth relished the softer conditions to win back to back races for the Richard Hughes stable.

Phil Makin's Ganesha is a speedy sort and was given a fairly busy first season last year, but still managed three wins. She would saddle top weight here on the back of some quieter performances. The Battenberg Army of owners Ursa Major would be in form with Curious Rover. Katie Scott's speedster was a smart juvenile last year and has started to rediscover some of that form with a pair of thirds recently. Richard Hannon's The Coffee Pod made it two wins at York over five furlongs last time out where he finished best of all to beat older horses. Tim Easterby's Vince L'Amour showed a liking to slower ground conditions with a pair of wins during the first part of the season, but returned to form with a good second at Haydock recently. The Nick Bradley Racing-owned Je Ne Sais Quoi has been seen sporadically since winning a nursery handicap at Nottingham and Grant Tuer's filly was never involved on her only run this year. The Nigel Tinkler stable would be well represented with three runners in this contest. The first would be Make It Easy, who joined the yard at the start of this year and finished in the frame in a similar contest here in May. Stablemate Ticktyboo somehow remains a maiden and even competed at Royal Ascot last year. He has gone close to winning on a few occasions this year though. The Rebecca Menzies-trained Game Breaker won on final start for her previous stable, but has yet to match that level of form this year. She would be tried in cheekpieces for the first time. The third runner for the Nigel Tinkler stable would be Duran, who progressed nicely before winning a small race at Brighton earlier in the season. He was last seen at Chester which may not have suited. The Brian Ellison-trained Travel Candy landed a pair of races at Catterick last season and one of her better performances would come at York when third over six furlongs. Another local runner would be David O'Meara's Scoops Ahoy, who has been generally consistent over sprint trips this year, including against older horses. Paul Midgley is a trainer who often finds the key to most horses and his Silky Robin has just five starts to his name but has yet to go close. He would be tried in first time headgear. A horse on the up would be Stuart Williams's Merrimack, who has landed two races in a row. He showed plenty of speed when bolting up at Yarmouth last time out. Tim Easterby would be another stable with multiple entries and he also saddled Stash The Cash, who was a good winner on seasonal return in April and has run well enough in defeat since then. 

Winner: DURAN (#9) (Invincible Spirit x Dolma) - F. McManoman - N. Tinkler

The finale looked a tough race to solve and the early pace would be fairly generous. The Grant Tuer-trained Je Ne Sais Quoi was seemingly desperate to beat the traffic home as she blazed a trail on the far side of the course. Closer to the centre, Curious Rover would be another to show bright early speed as their rivals all waited patiently in behind. The race favourite The Coffee Pod was also right there with every chance but had raced keenly in the opening stages. The only one to be outpaced from the word go would be Ticktyboo, who was already under pressure after a furlong.

The pack entered the final furlong and on the nearside, Curious Rover loomed large on the near side. Nigel Tinkler's Make It Easy would be another to scythe through the field and challenge in the centre, but it would be stablemate Duran who made the best progress. Taking full advantage of the gaps that opened for him, the gelding quickened up well under Faye McManoman. Curious Rover and Duran would gradually drift towards each other, but the forward momentum was enough to proper Duran to the lead in the final strides. There would be a fair sized gap back to the third Make It Easy while The Coffee Pod could only settle for fourth this time.

The three pronged attack by the Nigel Tinkler stable showed their intent of winning this useful prize. It would go to the 'outsider' of three as Duran was the longest priced of their runners. The gelding ran just once last year as a juvenile where he tailed off in last and wouldn't be seen in action until almost a year later. This season, he has developed into a progressive sort. With a second and third placed finish at Nottingham, he took the very long journey from Yorkshire to Brighton where he landed a four runner novice. After a decent fourth at Redcar the time after that, he was last in action at Chester, where a good draw is paramount. He was drawn out wide that day and needed to rushed into a prominent position before weakening away. On this day though, he found his ideal conditions, a flat track with quick ground. Without the blip at Chester, Duran's progress has the potential to take him higher up the ladder and it would be another York winner for the always smiley Faye McManoman.