Race One: The William Hill Autumn Mile Handicap - Class Two - One Mile - Runners: 16

The start of this competitive two day meeting would get underway with this hotly contested handicap over a mile which provided one final opportunity for York regulars to gain one last win on the Knavesmire this year. In the last ten runnings of this race, Yorkshire based stables have enjoyed plenty of success, provided by the Easterby, Fahey and O'Meara stables, but the past two seasons have seen the trophy taken away to Newmarket. Following on from Subsequent's victory for William Haggas in 2022, Ed Walker's Hafeet Alain was always well placed to score on the soft ground. 

The weights would be headed by David O'Meara's Blue For You, racing at York for the tenth time in his career. The six year old was last successful on the Knavesmire back in July where he took a similar contest, but finished midfield in a pair of stronger handicaps recently. Another former York winner from the past would be La Trinidad, trained by Roger Fell. The experienced seven year old has been in good form this year by winning two nice handicaps at Redcar and Thirsk, but was never sighted in the Cambridgeshire Handicap last time out. The George Boughey-trained Naxos made a bright start to his career and won nicely at Epsom twelve months ago. The four year old enjoyed a summer break through this year and has appeared to retain his ability with a close third at Goodwood a couple of weeks ago. Last year's winner Hafeet Alain put his crown on the line with conditions expected to be those he enjoyed here a year ago. Ed Walker's eight year old narrowly won at Newmarket back in April and has been lightly raced since. A second runner for David O'Meara-trained Padishakh, who began his career in France. He has started to settle in his new surroundings and posted a best run of the year when a close second at Ayr three weeks ago. The O'Meara team would have a third representative, courtesy of Theoryofeverything. The son of Frankel showed improvement to win a pair of handicaps this season but was another to struggle in the Cambridgeshire Handicap last time. The Hugo Palmer-trained Box To Box is a handy sort at his local course Chester with four wins there, but he has useful form elsewhere. After placing in Bahrain earlier this year, his form has stalled slightly and was never involved in the John Smith's Cup on his last visit to York. The once classy Rhythm Master isn't the force of old, but has run well on a few occasions for the Geoff Harker stable. His best efforts would be a pair of fourths at Haydock and Thirsk recently. Alzahir possesses ability, but has often frustrated connections. The gelding has now joined his third stable and made his debut for Jennie Candlish in a bid to freshen his mind. Kevin Ryan's Catch The Paddy is a former winner at York, but he has been badly out of form for most of this year. The one highlight coming on the all-weather when second at Newcastle in June. The James Horton-trained Navagio made a pleasing start to life in Britain when third in the Lincoln back in March. He returned to form last time out with a strong travelling third at Haydock on his preferred soft ground, but couldn't sustain his challenge. The John and Sean Quinn stable would be represented by their useful handicapper Empirestateofmind. The six year old finished second in this race two years ago and has been lightly raced this season. The Gemma Tutty stable continue to rise further in stature and Look Back Smiling landed a big early season prize at Doncaster on heavy ground. The likable four year old arrived here on the back of a seventh in the Cambridgeshire Handicap. Thunder Roar was awarded the final race of the afternoon at this meeting last year following interference, but has shown his ability on more than one occasion. The Tony Coyle and Kaine Wood-trained five year old has finished in the placings on soft ground this year and ran well at Ascot a week ago. Another who has been largely consistent would be Zealot, carrying the silks of the Horse Watchers. Mick Appleby's charge has finished second or third in each of his last five starts and would deserve a win as he dropped back in distance. The field would be rounded out by Tim Easterby's Barley. After winning at Carlisle back in June, he has shown a mixed bag of form this year but kept on well into second at Ripon in a similar contest in August. 

Winner: EMPIRESTATEOFMIND (#12) (Starspangledbanner x Adore) - J. Hart - J & S. Quinn

The opening contest would get underway with dazzling autumnal sunshine. Favourite backers would get off to a good start in the races as Naxos was sent forward to lead in the opening stages under Callum Rodriguez, but the pace was only a moderate one. He would be joined at the head of the field by fellow front runner Box To Box with Empirestateofmind, Thunder Roar and Hafeet Alain all close up. The slow starting habits of Look Back Smiling emerged once again and his chances would be compromised from a difficult position at the rear. Others to be held up were Theoryofeverything, Alzahir and Padishakh as the mud flicked up from those in front.

The field rounded the bend and enjoyed the best of the ground. Naxos would remain in front until halfway down the home straight when the pressure began to rise. Box To Box narrowly took over the running but the chances stacked up behind. The chestnut Thunder Roar was kept to the near side of the group and made good headway to challenge under Cam Hardie. He would nose ahead of Box To Box as he gradually weakened. It looked set to be Thunder Roar's race for the taking, but Empirestateofmind had made his way through horses and would be the last to challenge. The pair would then be locked in battle inside the final furlong with the roar of the crowd to urge them on. As the line approached, it would be a case of heads up and heads down as Thunder Roar and Empirestateofmind crossed the line together in a finish that looked too close to call in real time. A quiet hush awaited the outcome of the finish and the nose of Empirestateofmind had just inched in front on the line to win. Thunder Roar would go very close to a second win on this card while Barley did best of the rest by staying on into third. Fourth home would be last year's winner Hafeet Alain, who also kept on at the same pace in a race where not many got into contention.

It would appear to be a plan well made by the John and Sean Quinn yard as their six year old returned to winning ways in a race he had previously gone close at. The son of Starspangledbanner was last successful all the way back in July 2022 but has progressed nicely since then. He would finished a staying on second by a length to Substantial in this race two years ago and continued to compete in strong quality handicaps throughout 2023. His better efforts would come at Newmarket in April when second as well as his last run of the year at Haydock when third on heavy ground. This year, he has been much quieter. Not appearing until July, he would make two quick runs where he was down the field before contesting the prestigious Cambridgeshire Handicap. He would finish outside the top twenty in the cavalry charge but was drawn away from the main action. Due to his recent form, his rating dropped to six pounds lower than his second here in 2022. With soft ground very much in his favour, he would return to winning ways with a tough display. 

Race Two: The British EBF £100,000 Final Stakes - Class Two - 2-Y-O only - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 15

Next up would be the turn of the juveniles with this highly valuable conditions race over the intermediate trip of seven furlongs. The race is a relatively new addition to the card as it was first run in 2022 and the criteria is open to all horses who have finished in the top six in an EBF novice or maiden race this season. 

The bumper first prize of £100,000 naturally attracts a big field, but also a classy one. In the first running in 2022, the unbeaten Streets Of Gold made it five on the bounce for the season and defeated subsequent Group One runner up Shouldvebeenaring in the process. Last year had a more open look to it, but Kevin Ryan's Apiarist landed his first career win, beating a whole host of winners this season. 

The unbeaten Amiroc lined up here as a very promising sort. Ralph Beckett's gelding won a pair of races at Kempton in smooth style, but this would be his first competitive taste of turf action. The Malton-based yard of Adrian Keatley would saddle Bear Kode, who looked a nice type when winning on second start, but has been below his best in two subsequent starts. Andrew Balding's Big Sip went close to making a winning debut at Kempton, but his form has taken a couple of steps backward. He was second again at Kempton last time and searched for his first win. The Ed Walker-trained Imperial Trooper landed a first win on his third start at Ffos Las and was given a tough assignment in an ultra valuable sales race at the Curragh, in which he finished a useful eighth. The gelding Inconspicuous landed the Rous Selling Stakes over six furlongs here back in June before getting purchased by the Gay Kelleway yard. Since the move, his form has yet to improve. Mirabeau made a low key debut in a big field at Newbury in May, but he looked a different character when winning nicely at Brighton following a break. The Dominic Ffrench Davis-trained colt was bred for stamina. Another runner for the Karl Burke stable would be the improving Mr Fantastic, who finished in the placings three times before getting off the mark last time out. There would be another unexposed sort in the lineup, as James Horton's Nahash made his turf debut. The colt showed promise on debut before winning comfortably at Wolverhampton recently. The Stan Moore-trained Obsidian Dream has finished just out of the placings three times this year but dropped down to six furlongs to gain a first win at Bath. His latest run saw him disappoint on soft ground. The James Owen stable already houses one of the country's leading juveniles, but were looking for more success with Pellitory. He would improve steadily and won at the third time of asking before finishing a close second at Doncaster's St Leger meeting. Warren Greatrex is commonly recognised as a National Hunt trainer, but is gradually filtering into the flat racing scene. He would sadde the maiden Peter The Wolf, who finished second last time and moved up in distance. Praetorian was a narrow second in a useful maiden on his last visit to York in July before winning cosily next time out. The Archie Watson-trained gelding was last seen out in Sweden where he struggled in a conditions race. The Terry Kent-trained Prosperitas struggled to cope with the demands of Beverley on his second start, but he has a pair of decent third placings at Thirsk on either side. He would be another looking for a first win. The smaller scale yard of Stella Barclay took on some high profile trainers with the twice-placed Sir David. He could possibly have found six furlongs too sharp so far. The long absent Stratusnine finished strongly to take second here in a hot maiden in May before getting off the mark on his latest start. Hugo Palmer's runner was making his first appearance since early July.

Winner: MIRABEAU (#7) (Territories x Lubinka) - D. Tudhope - D. Ffrench Davis

There would be drama just before the start as the short priced favourite Amiloc reared in his stalls significantly enough to deem him a withdrawal. It would remove a fair amount of interest in the race, but still produced an exciting finish. 

Following the slight delay, the race would get away to a clean start and the early leader would be Stratusnine, who was running over this trip for the first time. He would be joined at the head of the pack by Praetorian as Mr Fantastic raced on the leader's shoulder. Others who were close up including Obsidian Dream, the grey Mirabeu who raced on the outer of the group and the keen going Pellistory as the trio of Prosperitas, Imperial Trooper and Big Sip brought up the rear.

The race was already halfway towards completion and the pacey Stratusnine was still there in the firing line in the lead. The main body of the field came down the centre of the pack and Pellitory would be the next to challenge the leader. In a wide open finish, the last to throw his hat into the ring would be Mirabeau, who remained closest to the stands rail but picked up well under Danny Tudhope and pulled clear of the rest inside the final fifty yards. Stratusnine ran a very brave ran on his return to action in second while Pellitory also ran well in the circumstances having raced keenly in the opening stages. Fourth place would go the way of Obsidian Dream, who plugged on at the same pace. 

It would be the second win in three starts for the Dom Ffrench Davis-trained colt and provided his stable with a big payday. Ffrench Davis was associated with big spending owners Amo Racing but this success will also prove he can do the job on his own. Mirabeau made his debut back in May in a Newbury maiden which featured plenty of subsequent winners. Having shown inexperience on that day, he was given a break through the summer and returned to action in September where he was a different proposition. He would relish conditions that resembled those of this race and did the job nicely to break his duck. Now with a valuable prize under his belt, there is every possibility that he can be the leading light for the yard next year, when conditions are to his liking.

Race Three: The William Hill Finale Heritage Handicap - Class Two - One Mile, Six Furlongs - Runners: 7

The feature contest of the afternoon would see a fascinating handicap for stayers of the future. The fourteen furlong class two handicap would be a test of stamina in these conditions, but history has been favourable to the race in terms of former winners.

After the success of subsequent listed race winner Elegiac in 2018, the most high profile winner of this race has been William Haggas's very tough gelding Hamish, multiple winner at Group Three and Group Two level. The Yorkshire-born handler now resides in Newmarket but has landed the last two runnings of this contest, teaming up with Adam Farragher on both occasisions. In 2022, Post Impressionist landed this contest before winning the following season's Old Borough Cup at Haydock and last year, Lordship ground out a fourth win of the year in tough style.

This year's lineup of young stayers would see a smaller than usual field with seven declared to go to post. David Menuisier enjoyed a memorable day at Newmarket last weekend and saddled the improving Master Builder. The grey finished a staying on third in the Melrose Handicap before bolting up in a similar contest at Haydock. He looked to be a stayer on the up. The William Haggas stable have won the last two renewals of this race and would rely solely on The Reverend, who looked a smart prospect on debut before tasting defeat in novice company. He looked classy in a valuable handicap at Ascot where he stretched clear to win in good style. The Andrew Balding-trained Who's Glen has been a regular on the all-weather this year and finished consistently in the placings. He made his turf debut last time out and romped home by a huge margin at Chester on heavy ground. The only runner for Eve Johnson Houghton would be Forest Gate, who found one or two rivals too strong in his initial starts, but landed a first win last time out in good style at Epsom. The Middleham based yard of Ed Bethell would be represented by the consistent Minstrel Knight, who has finished out of the top three just once in his career. He was strong at the finish on heavy ground at Haydock last time in similar conditions. The Hughie Morrison yard said goodbye to their popular stayer Not So Sleepy last week and needed one to fill his shoes. They would run Caprelo, who is related to some top class stayers from the yard and has been running well without winning on the all-weather recently. The final runner in this valuable contest would be the Tim Easterby-trained Filibustering. The gelding has been performing well at a lower level, but this would be a tougher test. 

Winner: MINSTREL KNIGHT (#5) (Advertise x True To Love) - A. Keeley - E. Bethell

From the start, Minstrel Knight would get away well and take up the early running under Aiden Keeley. The lead would be disputed with Forest Gate who helped to push the pace into a decent one in the conditions. The next pair would be Filibustering and Who's Glen, who both raced on the inside of the pack. Caprelo would come next, just ahead of the favourite The Reverend and the grey Master Builder. 

The field would navigate their way around the Knavesmire and upon exiting the home bend, Aiden Keeley opted to bring the seven-strong group down the middle of the track. The pace would gradually begin to unwind and those at the rear started to loom large. Master Builder picked his way past the weakening Who's Glen and Forest Gate while The Reverend also came through at the same time. Up front, Tim Easterby's Filibustering was running a mighty race in this rise in class and challenged Minstrel Knight. The leader would then drift right under pressure and swerved towards the running rail. It would be a blessing in disguise as the rail served as an aid and Minstrel Knight kept up his forward momentum. He would cross the line two and a half lengths to the good over Filibustering, with Master Builder and The Reverend settling for third and fourth respectively. 

It would be another step on the ladder for this improving three year old, whose form has taken off over this sort of distance. Having made his debut last winter over seven furlongs, the son of Advertise didn't get off the mark until June where he landed a ten furlong maiden at Carlisle. Even after then, progress wasn't immediate and it wasn't until his latest start where Minstrel Knight showed his ability. In a similar contest at Haydock on deep ground, the gelding showed similar tenacity to pull clear in that race, beating Filibustering for the first time in the process. Minstrel Knight will be able to stay around for years to come and his upward curve means he could be a regular starter in high quality handicaps, or even follow in the footsteps of Group race winner Hamish. 

Race Four: The Parsonage Hotel & Cloisters Spa Nursery Handicap - Class Three - 2-Y-O Only - Five Furlongs - Runners: 10

The focus would return to the youngsters with this nursery handicap over the minimum distance. The soft ground conditions would blunt the early speed of some of the runners and shock results have occurred in this race in the past. 
The Group Three-placed Ainsdale has been the most successful former winner of this race as he scored for the Karl Burke stable in 2019. Last year, it would be a second winner on the day for the Kevin Ryan stable as Irish Nectar relished the conditions to get up close home.

The weights would be headed by King's Call, trained by last year's winning stable. The colt won impressively on debut, but has since seen his limitations exposed in pattern races. This would be a drop in class though. Another local runner would be the Declan Carroll-trained Fuji Mountain. The gelding has won twice at Chester earlier in the season, both times on softer ground. Adrian Keatley would be represented by the useful Do It Now. He would show useful early season form and finished fifth in the Super Sprint, but has struggled in better races recently. A second runner for the Kevin Ryan stable would be End Of Story, who was another to win on debut back in May and posted a good effort when second over six furlongs here in September. Teej A landed a decent contest at Epsom at the Derby Festival for the Karl Burke stable, but has shown mixed form since then. Her latest runs in nursery company have shown some improvement though. The Ed Walker-trained Ardennes finished fourth in a good nursery at Goodwood in July, but has struggled in two subsequent starts including a conditions event last week at Salisbury. Nigel Tinkler's nice prospect Lord Roxby landed a first win at Beverley on his second start before giving weight away to a narrow defeat at Redcar last time out. The Bryan Smart stable would also make the short journey to York and ran Managing Director, a well bred sort who was down the field at the Ebor Festival but did the job stylishly to win at Thirsk. Al Hussar would run here for the Grant Tuer stable and has been in decent form recently. The newly gelded runner scraped home to win at Catterick last time, but has now won on contrasting ground conditions. Trainer Ollie Sangster and owners Nick Bradley Racing would combine here with Radio Star, who has improved with each start to date and weakened in the closing stages over six furlongs last time out. 

Winner: END OF STORY (#5) (Bungle Inthejungle x Sommore) - T. Eaves - K. Ryan

The competitive look to the race led to a strong betting contest with so many runners holding solid claims. From the word go, End Of Story took up his usual trailblazing tactics and was joined by the grey Fuji Mountain. In a relatively strongly run contest, Radio Star, Al Hussar, Lord Roxby and Managing Director would all race close to the pace as Do It Now and Teej A were taken slightly taken off their feet.

End Of Story would still hold on to the overall lead having gotten rid of the interests of Fuji Mountain and brought the pack closer to the winning line with each stride. In a race that saw little else get into the race, End Of Story kept up the gallop and provided the Kevin Ryan stable with a second win in the race in succession. Even better for the Hambleton stable would be the top weight King's Call staying on well from the rear of the pack to make it a one-two. Fuji Mountain did his best to disrupt the leader, but returned a creditable third, ahead of Teej A who was another to stay on from the back into fourth. It would be a dream result for punters as all three co-favourites in the race finished one-two-three to provide a nightmare for bookmakers.

It would be a first win since his debut for the gelding End Of Story, who is clearly a very fast horse when conditions are suitable. His racecourse bow at Thirsk in May saw him handled the good-to-soft ground that day nicely and he was pitched into a conditions race at the Epsom Derby Festival, won by Teej A. After that, he would run very well when tenth in the Windsor Castle Stakes cavalry charge at Royal Ascot before getting outclassed in the Star Stakes at Sandown. He would return to form in the rain over six furlongs at the September meeting here, but again saw his limitations exposed in pattern company at Ayr last time. It has been an encouraging first season for the sprinter, but there could be a chance that he has a similar profile to last year's winner Irish Nectar, who has been difficult to place this year due to his inflated rating. That being said, there will be plenty of opportunities at York next season.

Race Five: The Copper Knight - Winning Most Horse At York Handicap - Class Three - Five Furlongs - Runners: 18

Next up would be the yearly tribute to a legend of Yorkshire racing Copper Knight, who holds the record for most wins on the Knavesmire with seven. Tim Easterby's nine year old won this contest back in 2018 and was last successful at York in the summer of last year.

Copper Knight has so far yet to feature in the race since it was named in his honour, but the past two runnings have gone the way of three-year-olds. In 2022, Richard Hughes's Kimngrace bolted up on soft ground and twelve months ago, Wen Moon was rewarded with a win following some good efforts in defeat previously.

Carrying top weight would be the smart three year old in the field would be Kevin Ryan's Vantheman, who finished second here in May's Dante Festival before winning for a third time in his career at Pontefract. The three year old filly Enchanting has spent most of her summer at Goodwood and Andrew Balding's charge won for the second time at the venue last time when relishing the softer ground. Former French-trained colt The Fixer won a couple of nice contests in his home country, but has now moved to Southwell-based trainer Scott Dixon. This would be a tough race to make his UK debut in. York legend Dakota Gold has won six times on the Knavesmire and locked horns with his old rival Copper Knight once again. Michael Dods's ten year old showed he still retains his ability when second here back in May before winning at Redcar. Aberama Gold is a high class handicapper when conditions are in his favour, as shown when landing the Stewards Cup Handicap last year. David O'Meara's seven year old has seen his rating drop in recent months and returned to form last time at Haydock when third. The Richard Fahey-trained Brooklyn Nine Nine still holds the solitary win to his name and has run a good race on numerous occasions. He was a fast closing second at Ascot last month. Michael Herrington's Good Earth has more than paid his way with thirteen career victories. The seven year old goes well on all sorts of ground and landed back to back wins earlier in the year. Duran has progressed well at this distance and landed a second win at York in September where he was strong at the finish for Faye McManoman. The three year old Moonstone Boy has shown plenty of improvement in recent starts at Hamilton where he was successful twice and not beaten far against older horses last time. Irish Nectar landed the nursery on the card last year for Kevin Ryan and made a return to this meeting in search of a first win of the year. The three year old was slow to start here last time out and struggled to make an impact. Last year's winner Wen Moon would be another returning hero from the meeting twelve months ago. Ben Haslam's four year old  has run well at this sort of level this year including over course and distance in July. The Antony Brittain-trained Mini Magna has started to find his form now and weakened in the final stages to finish fourth over course and distance last month. Sam England's Trilby is usually at home on softer ground, as shown at the start of the season with two wins at Haydock and Carlisle. He would go close last time in similar conditions last time back at Haydock. The three year old handicap in September over course and distance is a strong form line in this race and Tim Easterby's Vince L'Amour was third to Duran in that race. Since then, he has disappointed in two subsequent starts. The Adrian Nicholls-trained Abate has been a much loved member of the yard and the eight year old has run well twice at York this year. Copper Knight lined up in the race named in his honour and the seven time winner at York has been a legend in the region and would raise the roof if he was to win. His younger stablemate at the Tim Easterby yard would be the three year old Monks Dream. The gelding won twice on the all-weather last winter and took a while to warm up after a long absence. He ran better last time when fifth at Hamilton. 

Winner: VINCE L'AMOUR (#15) (Invincible Army x Red Romance) - J. Hart - T. Easterby

The gates would spring back and all eyes would be drawn immediately to the whereabouts of Copper Knight. The old boy would make one of his better starts and was soon right in the firing line. He would be joined by his stablemate Vince l'Amour as it soon became apparent that the far side group were on the best of the ground. The well fancied Trilby was also right up there with the pace along with Vantheman and Wen Moon. UK debutant The Fixer raced on the opposite flank of the group and he would lead Good Earth, Mini Magna and Abate as the field made their way towards the final stages of the contest.

The far side would still hold sway over the rest and Copper Knight's old legs began to cry enough as Vince L'Amour and Wen Moon would fight it out inside the final furlong. It would appear that last year's winner was set to make it back to back wins of the race, but Vince L'Amour wasn't to be denied. Under a strong Jason Hart ride, the three year old started to pull clear of his rivals as Trilby emerged on the scene late in the day to grab second over Wen Moon. Vantheman would also produce a good run with fourth, carrying plenty of weight. 

The recent rain has been a blessing for the Tim Easterby-trained three year old, who was winning for the third time this year. Vince L'Amour made hay while the grass was wet by winning two races in the space of a week in April, both by clearcut margins. He then struggled in stronger company in races that were run on quicker ground, but he took a step back in the right direction when third to Duran at the previous meeting, in pouring rain. With a few quieter displays this year, he wasn't considered a contender, but reminded everyone of his liking for heavy ground with this dominant display. He will be looking to start next season off as well as he started this one. 

Race Six: The William Hill EBF Novice Stakes - Class Three - 2-Y-O Only  - Six Furlongs - Runners: 8

Another view to the future would take place with this juvenile novice contest with opportunities to win on turf beginning to run out.
The six furlong contest was first run in 2022, but saw a return to winning ways for the enigmatic Shaquille for the Julie Camacho stable. He would go on to famously win two Group One races the following year. Last season, the race continued to produce talented sorts as David and Nicola Barron's Pilgrim used his experience to win by a big margin. He would return this season to win at Royal Ascot this summer in the Palace of Holyrood House Handicap. 

The racecard would be topped by the last time out winner Apache Green, trained by William Haggas. After showing promise in third on heavy ground at Ffos Las, the son of Showcasing got off the mark on her latest start at Pontefract on quicker ground. The Arc winning stable of Ralph Beckett stable would be represented by the grey Belgrave, who has finished behind potentially classy juveniles in both starts to date. He showed improvement by staying on into second at Newbury last time. Roger Varian's Fondo Blanco carried the King Power Racing silks and went into plenty of notebooks with his debut third at Newbury at the start of September. He defied inexperience to keep on well into the placings.  One from the Karl Burke stable would be the debutant Jungle King, who comes from a family filled with stamina, but this looked a useful contest to make his bow in. Another leading Northern stable to be represented in the race would be Richard Fahey with the once-raced Mwafaq. The half brother to a Group Three winner was unsettled in the stalls on his debut, but made decent late progress at Pontefract. The Mark Walford-trained Oselton has been sent off at big prices on both starts and after a low key debut, he finished fourth at Newcastle last time out. Karl Burke's Showstorm held similar form figures to Oselton and he too finished fourth on his latest start at Catterick where he was slowly from the stalls. Another gelding in the field would be Kevin Ryan's The Vital Spark, who was down the field on debut before making modest improvement into sixth on second start at Thirsk. 

Winner: FONDO BLANCO (#3) (Ten Sovereigns x Farzeen) - R. Dawson - R. Varian

The race had the feeling of being just a three horse race, but the market support came in floods for Roger Varian's Fondo Blanco. The previous winner Apache Green was noticeably weak in the betting while Belgrave was also strongly fancied. Favourite backers would then have their nerves tested as Fondo Blanco proved difficult on the canter-down from the parade ring. He proceeded to park himself on the spot and required the assistance of Ray Dawson to walk him to the six furlong start.

The race eventually got underway to a level break and the early pace would come from Kevin Ryan's The Vital Spark. The main protagonists would all come next as the grey Belgrave chased the leader, just in front of Apache Green and Fondo Blanco. In a race of two halves, Oselton, Mwafaq, Showstorm and Jungle King were all anchored to the rear and would have to be smart to be involved from that position. The race began to develop as The Vital Spark came under pressure from Tom Eaves. Belgrave would take over in front, but his every move was tracked by Fondo Blanco. The extra weight for Apache Green would ultimately curtail his chances as the William Haggas runner would be next to fall out of contention. It would be left between Belgrave and Fondo Blanco in the final furlong and the Roger Varian-trained colt picked up nicely to assert from Belgrave and score for the first time. In an uncompetitive finish, Belgrave had to settle for second, with a small amount of daylight back to Apache Green in third. The Vital Spark's cameo in front led to him finishing fourth.

The race may not have been the strongest to ever take place at York, but the nature of Fondo Blanco's win could mark him down as one to follow. The colt is a son of first season sire Ten Sovereigns, who was a brilliant sprinter who landed the Middle Park Stakes and July Cup for Aidan O'Brien. There is plenty of stamina on the dam's side which saw him cope well with the underfoot ground conditions. The first foal of the Group Three placed racemare Farzeen, his pedigree also winds back to Izzi Top, who was third in the Epsom Oaks before winning two Group One races over middle distances. Fondo Blanco made his debut at Newbury five weeks ago on similarly soft ground over six furlongs. Following a slow start, he found himself trailing the pack but remained professional to stay on into third at the death, finishing just ahead of Bolo Neighs, who went on to land a valuable sales race in Ireland on next start. There is every chance that Fondo Blanco will improve greatly for a step up in trip and the attractive looking colt is seemingly still on the raw side. With a winter under his belt, he could be a nice horse next year.

Race Seven: The Ire Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Apprentice Handicap - Class Four - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 18

The finale of the day would see a competitive contest for apprentices as the race to be this season's champion apprentice approached its climax. 
The calibre of horse would match the competitive nature of the jockeys and it often produces a big field with a closely fought race. Last year's contest would be the first running, but saw a dramatic conclusion as Oso Rapido crossed the line narrowly ahead of Tony Coyle's Thunder Roar by a short head, but after a steward's enquiry the placings were reversed and Thunder Roar given the win for Billy Loughnane.

This year's contest saw a varied level of experience for the riders and included personnel who have already been successful at York this season. Top weight would belong to Antony Brittain's Dream Show, who looked to be progressing the right way earlier in his career, but has been out of form since moving to his current yard. On The River has won at plenty of Yorkshire venues in recent years and the Harriet Bethell-trained gelding was looking to gain another stamp on his passport. The five year old won at Ripon earlier in the year before running well in a stronger race at the same venue. Michael Herrington's Feel The Need weaved his way through the field to win a handicap over course and distance at the end of May and followed it up with a second on a return visit to York. The four year old Cori Glory remains relatively lightly raced for the Mark Walford stable and won on his seasonal reappearance. His two latest runs have seen some heavy defeats. Grant Tuer's Bajan Bandit had some useful form last year as a three year old, but has been in the doldrums this year. He began to show a bit of life last time when fourth at Newmarket. The Ian Williams-trained Be Frank hasn't won since a double back in June last year, but he has been running well in some useful races this season. He would be ridden by Callum Hutchinson, who rode a winner in one of these races back in July. The quirky Craven has a decent record at York and Richard Fahey's gelding got up in the closing stages to win here a few months ago. His latest effort would be a poor one at Newcastle last week. Another highly experienced runner would be Danzan for the Tim Easterby stable. A regular over six and seven furlongs, he has been finishing in and around the frame for the most part of the season. Young rider Shay Farmer rode his first ever winner over course and distance back in June and would be looking for more with the consistent Mostar Dreams, trained by Iain Jardine. The filly has finished out of the top three just once in her career so far. The once promising Hectic continues to frustrate connections as he often finishes well in his races. He has reached the placings on a couple of occasions this year. Michael Dods's Challet has won a trio of races at York in the past, but he seems to have gone past his peak in recent years. He would have the assistance of rising star Rhys Elliott in the saddle. Adrian Keatley would be represented by Another Baar has enjoyed a decent season this year over a range of distances. He would move up to seven furlongs for just the second time in his career. Jockey Fred Larson would pick up an outside ride on the Tim Easterby-trained Mysteryofthesands, who has won just once but would revert in trip having raced mostly over a mile this year. The most lightly raced horse in the field would be Miggy Magic, who lined up for the Gay Kelleway stable. His best effort would be a second last year, but he made his first appearance of the season back in August when sixth. The three-year-old Misemerald has posted a few useful efforts in defeat this season that would see her be a contender. Phil Kirby's filly had the services of improving apprentice Will Pyle onboard. A second runner for the Iain Jardine stable would be Giselles Izzy, ridden by Archie Young. She has enjoyed another decent season with three victories for connections and would finish third on similar conditions at Chester two starts ago. Richard Fahey would also be represented by the once useful No Nay Nicki, who has a few good displays at York in previous seasons. She showed inconsistency through the season before enjoying a try on the all-weather where she was denied by a nose at Southwell last time. The Phil McBride-trained Onemorenomore continued his good record at Doncaster by winning at the South Yorkshire course back in April. His latest run would see him finish third behind an in form winner.

Winner: ON THE RIVER (#2) (Heeraat x Lady Lekki) - A. Brookes - H. Bethell

The race would be reduced by two on the morning of the race as one half of Harriet Bethell's challenge, Overlooked was withdrawn along with the fancied Justcallmepete. That would also cause a jockey change as Joe Leavy, who sat second in the apprentice riders' championship, would replace Callum Hutchinson aboard Be Frank. 

Another Baar would rear in the stalls as the remainder waited patiently for the race to get underway. It would show his eagerness to start however as Adrian Keatley's runner soon got to the lead once the gates opened. Dream Show and Mysteryofthesands would both miss the start and lost plenty of ground on the leaders, but the pace would be only a decent one. Cori Glory, Mostar Dreams and Bajan Bandit would all race close to the pace as Mysteryofthesands quickly regained some of the ground he lost at the start. 
The field of apprentices surged towards the final stages and Danzan moved into the lead to give Tim Easterby and his owners hope of a double on the card. Another Baar's time in the lead had elapsed and he was soon passed by stronger stayers. Mysteryofthesands briefly looked to record an unlikely victory, but from out of the pack, the pink silks of On The River finished with a rattle under Aiden Brookes and burst into a clear lead. The five year old would land the race in clear cut fashion and provide his rider with a memorable York winner. Danzan fared best of the rest in second, ahead of the revitalised Bajan Bandit and Mysteryofthesands back in fourth. 

It would be the ninth success of On The River's career, as he has now won in each season he has been in training. The five year old has been a regular over a mile and has also won at stiff uphill tracks such as Beverley and Pontefract. That stamina came to good use here as he chased an end to end gallop and pulled right away over this shorter trip. It would be a third win of the year for Harriet Bethell's gelding following wins at Ripon and Pontefract on differing ground conditions. It would be a popular winner for punters, who were sent home happy with a winning favourite.