Race One: The Queen Mother's Cup Handicap - Class Four - One Mile, Four Furlongs - Runners: 18

The opening race of this valuable Saturday meeting would be the prestigious Queen Mother's Cup, a much sought after prize for female amateur riders. The taste of success is doubled in this contest as the winning rider receives their weight in cases of champagne. This race has been won in the past by high class riders such as Joanna Mason, Serena Brotherton, Francesca Cumani and most recently last year, leading Irish amateur Jody Townend.

The top weight Andaleep braved the rain at York last year to win a decent contest and lined up in this slightly lower level race under leading amateur Brodie Hampson. The grey mare Arrange has some good runs at York in the past, including last time out at the Dante Festival when fourth over this distance. She would also have last year's winning rider Jody Townend in the saddle. Baryshnikov has been a stalwart for the David and Nicola Barron yard over the years and won as recently as early May. He would be partnered by Alice Keighley. The famous Brookhouse silks often seen successful in the National Hunt scene were carried by Cardano, who finished seventh in this race last year but trailed home last here at the Dante Festival. The David Loughnane-trained Chase The Dollar was once a very smart sort in his youth, and emphatically returned to the winner's enclosure on his penultimate start at Chester. He would be ridden by the inexperienced Kayleigh McCammon. Brian Ellison's four year old Chillhi has yet to add to his two wins as a juvenile, but was highly tried last year. His form has been a mixed bag this season so far. Tim Easterby's runner would be Gibside, who was successful in an apprentice race here last July and aiming to give another young rider special memories. On this occasion, it would be Emily Roberts. The Ian Williams yard won this race two years ago and relied on Green Team, who has been highly tried at times but out form recently. A drop to this slightly easier level could suit him. His stablemate Haliphon has yet to add to the back to back wins in 2022, which included one at York over a slightly longer distance. Four year old Lord Melbourne won for the first time back in April for the Crisford stable but moved to Ralph Beckett's yard recently and made a promising debut when fifth in a competitive handicap at Epsom. The highly experienced Serena Brotherton would ride in this race once more. The first of two Ebor Racing Clun runners would be My Little Queens. She has a good record at Hamilton and scored at the Glasgow venue in May and has been a likable sort over the years. Micky Hammond's Piecederesistance has a good record with rider Becky Smith and warmed up for this contest with an excellent second here at the Dante Festival in May. There would be Irish interest in this contest as the Ger Hourigan-trained Queen Of Seduction made the trip to York. The mare was a wide margin winner last October on heavy ground. The second Ebor Racing Club runner would be Southern Voyage, a previously frustrating sort who finally got his head back in front at Doncaster a fortnight ago. The unexposed three year old Star Jasmine represented the George Boughey yard. The filly scored on her third start before missing out in a three way photo last time. Olive Nicholls, daughter of leading jumps trainer Paul, has ridden at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals this year but is a burgeoning talent and took the ride on Kevin Ryan's Thundering, a quirky type with good form at York in the past. Toshizou has been kept busy this year and has an in-and-out profile to his name. He ran one of his better races here when third on penultimate start. Talented rider Amy Collier would take the reigns. The second Irish runner would come in the form of Anthony McCann's Whimsy, who has finished in the frame on his last three starts so a win wouldn't surprise. 

Winner: LORD MELBOURNE (#6) (Wootton Bassett x Lolldaiga) - S. Brotherton - R. Beckett

The prestigious race meeting got underway under grey skies with plenty of showers making an appearance throughout the afternoon. The gates were opened and the eighteen lady amateurs would be on their way. Right from the start, the fancied Piecederesistance half reared and lost a small amount of ground on his rivals and Chase The Dollar showed early speed to track across from his wide berth and lead in the opening stages. The pace would only a modest one as Kayleigh McCammon dictated the gallop. Close up would be the likes of Lord Melbourne, Whimsy, Cardano and Thundering as another fancied runner Star Jasmine would be held up alongside Gibside, Andaleep and Baryshnikov. 
Passing the trees and navigating the sweeping bend into the home straight, Chase The Dollar had built up a decent lead but his rivals were happy to give him some rope. Thundering made a big move around the bend to contest the lead at the top of the straight, but his keen going antics earlier in the race had used up valuable petrol. The light green silks of Gibside were spotted travelling smoothly through the field and the former course winner looked a threat. Always well positioned throughout the race would be Whimsy and Lord Melbourne and those two began to open a gap on their rivals entering the final furlong. The British runner overtook the Irish raider and pulled away to justify favouritism under Serena Brotherton. Whimsy would run another good race in second while Gibsde and Baryshnikov made the most progress from the rear to take third and fourth. 

It would be another success in the race for the vastly experienced Serena Brotherton as she would win this race for the first time since 2014. The Yorkshirewoman is often the go to rider for races of this nature and so it was proved once again. Lord Melbourne himself joined the Ralph Beckett yard in May and showed promise when staying on into fifth at Epsom on Oaks Day in a class two handicap. This race would be easier and the addition of his talented rider made it a perfect combination. In the most unique winner's rostrum of the season, the winning rider receives her weight in champagne. Serena Brotherton would go home with a nice tally of thirty six bottles of champagne. 

Race Two: The Sky Bet Handicap - Class Three - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 17

The second race would see the return of the fully fledged riders with this competitive handicap over the intermediate distance of seven furlongs. Previous winners of this race include tough and talented sorts such as Firmanent, Jallota and Above The Rest while last year, Godolphin's Wild Lion made a successful return from Dubai in this contest. It would be a typically hot lineup as many York regulars returned to do battle once more. 

Former course and distance winner Boardman was a progressive type a couple of years ago and Tim Easterby's eight year old ran well in defeat again at his beloved Chester last time out. Irish import Yermanthere made his debut for the Tim Easterby yard and looked to be an interesting recruit as he was last seen in listed race action in November. Londoner began his career with Aidan O'Brien and ran in good quality contests, but since joining the Jim Goldie stable, he has yet to fire over a range of distances. Yanifer was progressing in the right way a few seasons ago and landed a decent race here at the end of 2022. The six year old has been spotted just three times since that win. Yet another new addition to the Tim Easterby would be classy handicapper Austrian Theory, who won at the Derby Festival at Epsom last year. David O'Meara's New Image arrived to the race in form on the back of an impressive win at Musselburgh. The well bred gelding is also on the up. The Ian Williams-trained Aalto was successful on his final start in France and appears to have settled in Britain with placed efforts in two good quality handicaps. Michael Dods's Diamondonthehill dead-heated for the win last time out at Thirsk and is running at his best at the moment. The seven year old Stone Soldier has been trained by three different trainers throughout his career and now resides at the Richard Fahey yard. He has been a smart sort over this trip for his owners.The smart Woven has plenty of good form at this level and was last seen finishing well into fourth over six furlongs here in May.  Tim Easterby's Quest For Fun won a competitive handicap on the Knavesmire last July before posting another good effort later in the year. His form has been hit and miss so far this season. Tactical is a former Royal Ascot winner who now resides at the Julie Camacho yard. He has yet to threaten in some valuable contests so far. Micky Hammond's Carnival Zain enjoyed a profitable 2022 but has to yet to add to the win tally since. However, he ran a solid race here on seasonal reappearance last month. Peter Niven's Quintus Arrius won twice for his previous trainer but has run well on two occasions this year for his new yard. He would be stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time. Mick and David Easterby's Eligible won at York over a year ago and ran well in a weaker contest here in May. The Brian Ellison-trained Tolstoy had caught the eye with his finishing efforts over six furlongs and appreciated the move to seven furlongs at York the day before. Connections were keen to run again just over twenty four hours later. Golden Pharaoh would make his British debut in this valuable contest for Scott Dixon and was a winner of two races in France earlier this year. The field would be completed by the Richard Fahey-trained Our Havana, who landed her first win on seasonal reappearance under a good ride by Oisin Orr. 

Winner: TOLSTOY (#18) (Kingman x War And Peace) - B. Robinson - B. Ellison 

There would be drama just before the start as Diamondonthehill would prove tricky to load into his gate and after refusing a few times, he was withdrawn at the start. Once the race was underway, the early pace was decent. Richard Fahey's Stone Soldier nosed in front after a furlong and he had Quintus Arrius, Carnival Zain and Our Havana close up for company. 
With such a hotly contested race, there was a whole host of chances two furlongs out with the field spreading out across the track. Quest For Fun and Aalto were two to make ground from the rear and challenged Stone Soldier but on the far side of the group, Tolstoy found daylight and swept around the outside to arrive on the scene. Just like the day before, Brian Ellison's gelding was strong at the finish and held off the rallying Quest For Fun. On the stand's side rail, New Image appeared from nowhere to fly into third with early leader Stone Soldier taking home a good fourth.

It would be an unprecedented double for Tolstoy, who would be winning at York for the second time in the space of twenty four hours. The son of Kingman had been impressive when landing the apprentice riders' race yesterday and he clearly woke up feeling fit on the morning of this race. Smothered up at the rear of the pack, Tolstoy made rapid headway around the outside and has proven his liking for this seven furlong trip. A morning gamble would also be landed as the odds of Tolstoy shrunk from double figures to single figures by the off. The five year old will deserve a break now, but his achievements will be remembered here. 

Race Three: The Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup Stakes - Listed Race - One Mile, Six Furlongs - Runners: 5

The focus would switch to the stayers for the first of two headline races of the afternoon. The fourteen furlong Grand Cup Stakes has been graduated to a trial race for the Ebor Handicap later in the season and many of these classy horses will have one eye on August already. The last few renewals of this race have played influence on the world stage. In 2021, Roberto Escobarr was successful before winning last year's Italian St Leger. A year later, Without A Fight continued his rise and last autumn, landed the "Race That Stops A Nation", the Melbourne Cup. Last year's contest saw the likable Quickthorn make every yard of the running to win before repeating the feat in the Group Two Goodwood Cup.

The well bred Klondike ran at this level last season after winning on debut and William Haggas's four year old shaped well here last month in handicap company. Sir Michael Stoute is renowned for improving older horses and Real Dream stepped into pattern company for the first time. The five year old has run well in good quality handicaps over the past two seasons. The second Andrew Balding runner Relentless Voyager ran at a smart level last year before returning to winning ways in impressive fashion at the Epsom Derby festival. Ralph Beckett's Salt Bay finished third at Group One level as a two year old but has yet to win since his debut. He ran well on his only attempt at this trip and has the potential as a stayer. Roger Varian's Divine Jewel completed the field. She ran a good race when third in this contest twelve months ago before running well at a higher level. The weight allowance for the mare would bring her into contention. 

Winner: KLONDIKE (Galileo x Koora) (#2) - R. Moore - W. Haggas 

The softening of the ground led to the morning withdrawal of Chesspiece and the field was reduced to five, but the quintet were still highly talented. The longest race of the afternoon was always going to be tactical and from the start, Ryan Moore would be positive on Klondike and cut out the early running. Settling behind him in second would be Salt Bay, just ahead of Real Dream with Divine Jewel in fourth and recent winner Relentless Voyage held up in last. 
The pace was sensible and there was little change in the order for most of the contest. Halfway down the home straight, Klondike looked vulnerable as Moore began to nudge away on his mount and Salt Bay moved up to challenge. The three remaining runners would gradually weaken and the race was down to two.  Salt Bay appeared to be going better than Klondike, but Ryan Moore refused to be beaten. Digging deep into the stamina reserves, Moore galvanised Klondike to find a little extra and fend off the strong challenge of Salt Bay and put his nose ahead on the line. The pair would come clear of Relentless Voyage in third with Divine Jewel returning in her own time in fourth. 

Under a brilliant ride, this win would provide an automatic spot in York's premier handicap later in the year, the Ebor. The four year old son of Galileo won on his debut last season before competing in Grade Three and listed races for the rest of 2023. Described as a backward, late developing sort, Klondike ran well off a big weight back in handicap company here in May and the step back up to pattern company proved fruitful. The race may not have been the strongest, but it could be step towards an even bigger prize in August. 

Race Four: The MacMillan Sprint Handicap - Class Two - Six Furlongs - Runners: 17

The showcase race would be this valuable and hotly contested sprint for three-year-olds. Over the years, this race has been a hotbed of future sprinting stars and a high number of Group class horses. Cadeaux Genereux, Sheikh Albadou and Twilight Son all picked up this prize before winning at the highest level. Last year's running would be no different and a look back at the lineup twelve months ago reads impressively. The winner Quinault would be winning for the fifth time in a row and edged out Washington Heights and Mill Stream in a close finish. The runner up and third in that race have since made an impact this season, winning Group Two contests earlier in the year. The notebooks would be out in force, ready to find the sprinting stars of tomorrow.

The weights would be headed by James's Delight, representing 2022's winning trainer Clive Cox. The colt has won twice this year but his poorer efforts have come in Group company which also hints at the regard he is held in. The Royal colours were also on show as the King was represented in this big race on his birthday. Ralph Beckett's Serried Ranks progressed well as a juvenile and won at the Glorious Goodwood meeting. He was outpaced over five furlongs last time out at Sandown. Richard Fahey has won this race in the past and was well represented this year. Tropical Island would make her seasonal reappearance and the filly won three times last year including a nursery here impressively last September. Her stablemate Garfield Shadow would hold leading claims. The colt flew home at Chester to remain unbeaten in three starts back in May, but could only manage fourth when stepping up into this grade. Craig Lidster's Almarada Prince won three times as a two year old and has begun to find his feet this year. He ran well against older horses last time out and returned to his own age group here. William Haggas's Elmonjed won his first two starts last year but lost his unbeaten record here over seven furlongs in May. He remained with potential though and had plenty of time on his side. The newly gelded Cover Point made his debut for the Julie Camacho stable in this hot race, but was regarded highly enough to contest a listed race. He would race over six furlongs for the first time since his debut. John and Sean Quinn's Twilight Romance looked a smart prospect when winning the maiden race on this card last year, but has yet to add to that win. Despite that, he has run well in defeat at a lower level this year. Richard Fahey's Middleham Park Racing runner Ziggy's Condor ran well in a big sales race at the Ebor Festival and then returned this year to be collared on the line over seven furlongs. Another Musley Bank runner would come in the form of Midnight Affair, who won the Hilary Needler Stakes at Beverley last summer. She ran well over five furlongs in May and stepped back up in trip. Charlie Hills's Chief Mankato looked a talented prospect when winning on debut at Windsor last year, but was found out in stronger company. He shaped with promise on his seasonal debut when fourth at Newmarket. Kevin Ryan's We Never Stop placed twice here last year before winning at Pontefract, but that remains his only win to date and weakened into fifth at Newmarket on his comeback. Andrew Balding's Imperial Guard ran well on the all-weather at the start of his career before posting a very good third at Ascot on his first run on grass. Media Shooter won a pair of lower grade all-weather handicaps at the start of the season, but Karl Burke's gelding struggled back on turf at Doncaster last time. Charlie Hills's Trefor ran well in a pair of strong handicaps at the start of the season and got off the mark for 2024 last time despite looking slightly awkward. The Tim Easterby yard caused a surprise when winning this race ten years ago and saddled Vince l'Amour this year. The gelding won twice on heavy ground earlier in the year but ran well in the 3-Y-O Dash at Epsom a fortnight ago. Another to carry the Middleham Park Racing silks would be The Coffee Pod, a winner here back in September. The gelding has one good run this year but has been found at a higher level recently. Richard Spencer's Run Boy Run finished second three times as a juvenile before looking a good prospect when winning for the first time at Newcastle in March. He returned to form at Haydock last time out at a lower level. 

Winner: JAMES'S DELIGHT (Invincible Army x Heavens Peak) (#1) - R. Moore - C. Cox

The withdrawal of a pair well fancied runners, Woodhay Wonder and Pocklington, failed to detract from the ultra competitive nature of this lineup and the race provided yet another exciting sprint prospect.

From the start, We Never Stop showed a lot of bright speed and bagged the stands rail from his high draw. The pace looked fairly strong considering the underfoot conditions and the leader was joined Ziggy's Condor, Tropical Island, Elmonjed and Run Boy Run. The Coffee Pod would be the one to miss the break and was playing catch up against some quality horses. Within a blink of an eye, the race had reached the final furlong point and the well fancied Elmonjed had travelled nicely into the overall lead. The early leaders began to weaken, but the gaps appeared at the right time for James's Delight on the far side, who negotiated his rivals and burst onto the scene inside the final furlong. The top weight powered away from his rivals and crossed the line with a healthy two and a quarter length margin. Almarada Prince would run a belter to take second, just in front of Elmonjed while Media Shooter and Imperial Guard rattled home from the back to take fourth and fifth places.

The winning ride by Ryan Moore was another example of why he is one of the best in the world. Remaining patient on his horse and arcing around the pack to lead was a pleasure to watch and he would repeat the winning combination of 2022 with the Clive Cox yard. James's Delight was a useful juvenile last year and had already been busy in 2024. Making a very impressive winning return at Pontefract, he contested the Group Three Greenham Stakes at Newbury, finishing down the field. He would return to winning ways back in handicap company during the Guineas meeting at Newmarket before once again finishing towards the rear in listed company at Newbury. The ground conditions proved beneficiary for the son of Invincible Army and that could prove to be key with an inevitable return to Group races. James's Delight retains the potential to join the list of subsequent high class horses to have won this race. 

Race Five: The Reg Griffin Appreciation EBF Stallions Maiden - Class Three - Six Furlongs - Runners: 11

Next up would be the turn of the juveniles with this maiden for two year olds over six furlongs. Races of these nature at York have a habit of producing smart prospects and two years ago, the Karl Burke-trained Cold Case broke his duck before developing into a classy sprinter. Twelve months ago, the John Quinn-trained Twilight Romance travelled powerfully throughout and powered clear to win for the first time.

This class three contest was headed by Mick and David Easterby's Atomic Mass, who showed some promise on debut in a similar race here last month and the form of that contest is beginning to work out. The first newcomer of the race would come from 2022's winning trainer Karl Burke. The colt Cracking Man made his racecourse bow and is a half brother to the yard's classy sprinter Looking For Lynda. The Richard Fahey-trained Epicurian Lad also made his debut in the novice here three weeks ago, but could only manage ninth on debut and looked to be a longer term prospect. His stablemate Hill Street Blues is related to some talented sorts and the yard's two year olds have been winning well recently. The Tim Easterby newcomer Mission In Malton is another well bred type to make his debut in this contest. Hugo Palmer's Shamal Wind would be another to make his debut in this competitive race and comes from a high class family, namely a half brother to the top class sprinter Dream of Dreams. The locally based stable of Craig Lidster introduced The Childe Of Hale, a newcomer colt from a family of winners. Middleham Park Racing's silks were on show with a second runner in the form of the Kevin Ryan-trained The Strikin Viking. The colt comes from a beautiful Aga Khan-bred family. Karl Burkes' grey colt Tiger Mask showed ability on his debut when fourth at Haydock and many people made a note of his late headway. Richard Fahey's Tuscan Point has finished fifth on both starts to date, including last time out over five furlongs at the Dante Meeting. The Tim Easterby-trained U Sure Do went very close to causing a massive shock on debut at Haydock last week, but in the process showed a lot of ability. 

Winner: THE STRIKIN VIKING (Inns of Court x Asmeen) (#8) - T. Eaves - K. Ryan

Races of this nature at York often prove valuable for future reference and once again a potentially smart winner emerged on the Knavesmire.

From the opening of the stalls, Hill Street Blues showed his inexperience by losing ground and was joined at the rear by the equally green Mission In Malton. The eventual podium placed finishers would race at the front throughout. The Strikin Viking showed plenty of speed early on to take up the lead and was joined by the last time out runner up U Sure Do. The grey Tiger Mask was also on the scene as the field moved down the home straight in an arrow formation. The newcomer The Strikin Viking was still yet to be asked a question by Tom Eaves, but opened up in the final furlong to stretch clear. The colt ate up the ground and would cross the line two lengths to the good over the staying on Tiger Mask and weakening U Sure Do. From a long way back, Hill Street Blues caught the eye by taking home fourth after his slow start.

Trainer Kevin Ryan and owners Middleham Park Racing are often a source of high class two-year-olds and the pair appear to have combined with this exciting newcomer. The son of French based sire Inns Of Court was a breeze up purchase earlier in the year, so already had a taste of running quickly on a racecourse. The Strikin Viking is a half brother to the useful winner Chorlton Lane, who also won on debut before moving to Australia. His pedigree also stretches back to the brilliant horse of the mid 2000's, Azamour. Named after the footballer Erling Haaland, The Strikin Viking looks set to score plenty more times and go on to bigger things. 

Race Six: The Ice Co Supporting MacMillan Handicap - Class Four - One Mile, One Furlong - Runners: 14

The action would move to the rarely used trip of nine furlongs with this class four handicap for useful types. It poses a unique test for those who finish well over a mile, but struggle to see out the slightly longer ten furlongs. Last year, the Heather Main-trained Mostawaa woul win here as the middle leg of a hat trick last year. 

John and Sean Quinn's Titan Rock is a smart type on his day and improved for the application of a hood to win the Thirsk Hunt Cup on his latest start in May. David O'Meara was unsurprisingly well represented and Orbaan is a former York winner and Knavesmire regular. Pisanello finished second in this race two years ago but his form has dipped in the last few months. Nigel Tinkler's Theme Park ran well on a number of occasions at York last year and did so once again in a stronger contest at the Dante Festival. Another David O'Meara runner would be the Horse Watchers-owned Zozimus, who has put together a string of placed efforts recently over a range of distances. The four year old John Chard VC has had a light career to date, but placed at York two years ago for his previous trainer. He would be making his debut for the Roger Fell and Sean Murray yard. The lightly raced Boy Douglas won for the second time in his career at Ayr on his latest start and was another with scope to improve. Susan Corbett's Clear Angel has taken in some good races during his career and started the season well with a fourth in the Spring Mile at Doncaster. Tim Easterby's Barley struggled in a strong contest here back in May, but either side of that run, he made the frame at Redcar and Beverley. Last year's Mostawaa returned to defend his title and would be making a first start in Britain since a trip to Dubai earlier in the year. He would be taking the sole runner to not be trained in the North. The Roger Fell and Sean Murray-trained Harswell Duke landed a big handicap at Doncaster last year and made the frame three times during April. Cisco Disco won for the first time in Britain  back in 2022 and Richard Fahey's gelding has been lightly raced since then. Tim Easterby's veteran Poet's Dawn completed the line up and ended last season well. In three starts, he has yet to threaten so far. 

Winner: PISANELLO (Raven's Pass x Painting) (#4) - M. Winn - D. O'Meara

The worst of the rain began to set in and it would have an effect on the already trodden-on grass. This nine furlong contest would still provide an exciting finish.

From the start, last year's winner Mostawaa showed no signs of rustiness on his return and quickly established the lead under Jack Mitchell. Mostawaa would enjoy a free lead as his rivals grouped up behind him. Halfway down the home straight, the gambled on Theme Park looked to be travelling best of all with Rowan Scott sitting motionless in the saddle. Boy Douglas took over in front from Mostawaa, but the response of Theme Park was minimal and he soon retreated through the field. Clear Angel and Zozimus were two more challengers to emerge and the quartet looked to have the race between them. From a long way back, the yellow silks of Pisanello would be the last to challenge and while his rivals scrapped, he took advantage to swoop over the top and take the win by a comfortable length. 

It would be another York winner for talented apprentice Mark Winn and the David O'Meara stable. Pisanello may have caused a surprise in terms of his odds, but he has some smart form in the book from previous seasons. Finishing a good second in this race in 2022, he has finished in the placings on numerous occasions. Last year, he would be successful twice at Hamilton, but this year was a little quieter. In three previous starts, Pisanello had finished no higher than ninth over a mile, but a return to York clearly suited and he was back in the winner's enclosure. 

Race Seven: The Fordy Marshall Land and Property Consultants Handicap - Class Four - Six Furlongs - Runners: 20

The final race of the meeting would be no easier to find the winner of as this class four handicap feature a host of regulars and talented runners. The cavalry charge over six furlongs was won three years ago by the popular Mr Wagyu and most recently, The Green Man continued his good season with another success in this contest.

The racecard was topped by James Ferguson's Good Karma, who won as a three year old last year but now reverted to six furlongs for the first time since his debut. The Richard Spencer-trained Lucky Man finished second in the big three year old handicap in 2022 before winning a good race on the Knavesmire later that year. The gelding ran well in defeat at Thirsk last month. Richard Fahey's International Girl is a former York winner as well as at a higher level in the past. The filly won for the fifth time in her career at Ripon recently. Nigel Tinkler's Another Investment has won twice at York in his career and often runs well in races of this calibre. Jack Channon's Tiriac has found form recently and won an identical race here at the previous meeting. It Just Takes Time won at most of Yorkshire's venues during 2022 and Mark Walford's gelding made a good seasonal debut at Doncaster back in April. The William Knight-trained Holkham Bay travelled well into the race and was only caught late on by Tiriac when they met here a few weeks ago. Rock Of England posted some smart efforts in victory last year for his previous trainer, but has been disappointing so far this season for new trainer Paul Midgley. Richard Fahey's The Ridler is a former Royal Ascot winner, but that day has become a memory now as he has failed to fire recently. Another sprinting veteran would be the ten year old Equiano Springs, trained by Tom Tate. He recently surpassed sixty race starts, but remains capable as shown when winning at Newmarket last season. Nigel Tinkler's Roundhay Park won here in July last year, but would finish down the field on his latest start here a few weeks ago. Roach Power is from a talented sprinting family and looked set for good things after winning twice at the end of last season. Since the start of this season, he has failed to progress. The evergreen Muscika has shown no sign of slowing down after a string of placed efforts by David O'Meara's ten year old recently. The Michael Dods-trained filly Sparkling Red was a useful sort earlier in her career, but has been a little inconsistent recently. Jess Macey's Dark Side Thunder has been a smart type on the all-weather, but ran an excellent race at Ascot in a big field on a rare start on turf. The talented Digital has been around the yards during his career, but now with Ruth Carr, he got back on the winning trail last time out and lurked on a competitive rating. Tim Easterby's Danzan is usually an admirable sort, but has been down the field here on his last two starts, both over seven furlongs. Sam England's Trilby won twice earlier in the season on soft ground, but travelled well throughout a similar contest here last time. He managed sixth that day but still ran well. The veteran Ghathanfar is a well travelled former winner at York and the eight year old has been finishing in the frame in all starts this year. The maximum sized field was completed by the grey Music Society, another veteran who has taken part in some valuable races throughout his career.

Winner: HOLKHAM BAY (Aclaim x Tumblewind) (#8) - B. Wilkie - W. Knight

The closing race of this rain soaked afternoon would see a well fought out contest and a deserving winner.

The field of vastly experienced handicappers made their way down the six furlong track with little issue and it would be The Ridler to force the early pace. The place to be would be prominently and there was a swathe of horses tailing the leader. The likes of Ghathanfar, Danzan and It Just Takes Time were all close up as plenty of mud was kicked up. The main action came down the centre of the track as Danzan nosed into a narrow lead, but Dark Side Thunder emerged on the far side to take over. Last month's winner Tiriac was also on the scene, but the dark blue silks of Holkham Bay had travelled strongly through the contest and made his move late. Sweeping through to lead inside the final half furlong, the four year old wasn't for catching and landed his third win of his career. Dark Side Thunder held on for second with the winning sequence of Tiriac coming to an end in third. Veteran Roundhay Park posted a better effort to take home fourth in a blanket finish.

For the winner Holkham Bay, it would be a win that had been coming. The son of Aclaim has endured some issues over the past two years, but has really found his feet this year. Running on into second at Ascot last month in a big field, he backed it up with another close second here in an identical race at the previous meeting. He was collared on the line that day, but made amends here. Showing his customary high cruising speed, Holkham Bay responded well to Brandon Wilkie, who has also developed a good partnership with the gelding. It would be a comfortable victory to provide joy for his owners and potential plans for higher level targets later in the year.