Race One: The coral.co.uk Rockingham Stakes - Listed Race - 2-Y-O Only - Six Furlongs - Runners: 8

The high quality racing action would come thick and fast as the prestigious Rockingham Stakes kicked off proceedings on the Knavesmire.

The listed event for juveniles has been a breeding ground for top class sprinters of the future, as shown with the exploits of Sir Dancealot and Mattmu who won multiple Group races as well as Donjuan Triumphant, who won a Group One on the final start of his career in 2019. Future Royal Ascot winner Space Traveller and dual Group One winner Dream Of Dreams have been also-rans in this race in this past which gives further credibility to this race. Last year, Andrew Balding's Purosangue was a smart juvenile with plenty of Group race form to his name and landed this prize beating Esquire in the process; a colt who went on to win the Greenham Stakes this year. 

Ralph Beckett's stable is on a high at the minute and they would be represented by the well named Bolo Neighs. The gelding had shown good form in maidens before bolting up in an ultra valuable contest in Ireland recently, his first career win. The David O'Meara-trained Dark Cloud Rising stepped forward from his debut here in May by winning on his next start. He would only manage third in a novice race at Haydock recently. One who has improved with each run would be the Tom Clover-trained Invictus Gold. After a low key debut and a gelding operation, he has since won his next two starts and is evidently well regarded. The Karl Burke stable have plenty of firepower in the yard and would saddle Jungle Drums in this contest. After a winning debut, he would finish second in this grade and on his latest start, found the Group Three level in France a step too far. Another for the Karl Burke stable would be Milford, in the Highclere Thoroughbred colours. After a winning debut, he would make the trip to Royal Ascot where he was outclassed. He arrived here on the back of two defeats back in novice company. The first filly in the lineup would be the experienced It Ain't Two. Hugo Palmer's runner made her debut back in April and has been remarkably tough throughout the year. Conrad Allen's Pearl of Windsor was progressing well with a pair of back to back wins in novice company and wasn't disgraced when sixth at this level at Ayr a few weeks ago. The final runner would be another from the William Haggas stable, Raneenn. She would show plenty of speed to make all at the sharp Chester track last time out, her second career win.

Winner:  JUNGLE DRUMS (#4) (Bungle Inthejungle x Ayr Missile) - S. James - K. Burke

The afternoon would get underway with a chilly breeze and overcast conditions, but a swelling crowd would cheer as the gates opened for the first race of the day. The churned up ground from the day before would provide testing conditions and the action unfolded towards the far side rail. From the getaway, Jungle Drums moved into the overall lead as the pace was a sensible one, dictated by Sam James. It Ain't Two and Dark Cloud Rising would sit on the leader's quarters with the favourite Bolo Neighs was smothered up in the pack. Towards the rear, Invictus Gold raced keenly along with the filly Pearl Of Windsor who was also lit up in the opening stages. 
As the pack gradually made their way towards the final furlong, the test of stamina began to kick in. Jungle Drums still appeared to be travelling well up front as the first five began to ease away from the struggling Raneenn, Pearl Of Windsor and Dark Cloud Rising. As the race began to heat up, Jungle Drums still looked in command and opened up a small gap to his pursuers. It Ain't Two chased him valiantly as Bolo Neighs was finally in the clear. Jungle Drums was able to keep all of his rivals at bay and came home a comfortable winner of the opener. It Ain't Two just held on for second while there would be a dead-heat for third as Bolo Neighs was joined by the fast finishing Milford, who got going too late. 

It would be a third win of the year for the Karl Burke-trained colt, who was giving his trainer yet more success in the juvenile division. He made a winning debut at Hamilton back in June, where he was ridden patiently that day and despite running greenly, he got up on the line with a good turn of pace. He was then pitched into listed company for the Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury, where he led for most of the race before getting overhauled by the winner Yah Mo Be There, but he would battle gamely. A return to novice came next for Jungle Drums and he would win stylishly at Redcar, making all to win by four lengths. On his latest start, he would travel to France for the Prix Eclipse; a Group Three contest at Chantilly. He would struggle in that race when seventh, but this would be a return to his best. He is bred to be very smart as a full brother to Living In The Past, who won the Lowther Stakes at York back in 2019 for the Karl Burke yard. The stable have produced many classy sprinters in the past few seasons and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Jungle Drums aimed at the higher quality races in 2025. 

Race Two: The Coral Handicap Stakes - Class Two - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 15

The racing action moved to the round course for this valuable and often informative handicap. The ten furlong class two event has gained notoriety in recent seasons for progressive young horses landing this trophy before going on to even bigger things in their career.

The first future Group race winner to emerge from this race would be Sir Michael Stoute's Autocratic in 2016, who went on to score in the Gordon Richards Stakes the following season. Four years later, the William Haggas-trained Ilaraab landed the first of two wins at York in his career before winning a pair of Group Three events in later times. The most high profile winner would be another from the Sir Michael Stoute yard. In 2021, a young Bay Bridge continued his progression by winning this race and achieved his biggest moment by winning the Group One Champion Stakes at Ascot in 2022. Twelve months ago, the race went to the tough veteran Certain Lad for the Jack Channon stable. His resurgence has continued this year by winning a pair of French pattern races.

This fascinating handicap would see Bolster carry top weight. Trained by the handicap winning machine Karl Burke, the four year old made a bright start to his season with two victories. After attempts in Group company, he ran well enough back in handicap company last time. The William Knight-trained Dual Identity finished strongly into second over course and distance at the Ebor Festival before finishing just out of the top ten in the Cambridgeshire Handicap two weeks ago. Another totally unexposed three year old would be Ralph Beckett's Valvano. The colt looked exciting when winning on debut but has had excuses in his other two starts. He would also move into handicaps for the first time. Bennetot took a while to settle at David O'Meara's yard after moving from France, but has shown some smart form in recent weeks, most recently when fourth in the Cambridgeshire a fortnight ago. Kevin Ryan's Sisyphean made all and romped home over a mile here back in July and his only subsequent run came when a close up fourth at the Glorious Goodwood festival. The much loved old boy Euchen Glen made another trip to York and remains in good form with finishes on the fringes of good handicaps. He arrived here on the back of a second at Ayr last month. The Andrew Balding-trained City Streak has a good record at Chester, but disappointed there last time on soft ground. Previously trained by Roger Varian, the filly landed a pair of wins at a lower level but ran well at Ripon recently. The Richard Fahey-trained Have Secret hasn't won in over two years, but has a whole host of strong handicap form. The gelding has gone well at York in the past. The Shadwell Racing colours would be carried by the beautifully bred Maghlaak, trained by Charlie Hills. The four year old held Group race potential at the start of the season, but has failed to go on from his seasonal reappearance win. He would disappoint at Chester last time out. Another for the David O'Meara stable would be Stressfree, who had been getting closer through the summer and finally landed a win at Chester where he won with a bit in hand. He would be in action at the start of the week too when finishing second.  The Marco Botti-trained three year old Magico has yet to run a bad race in his career and has been quietly progressive. His latest win came over a slightly longer distance. The mare Bint Al Daar has posted two excellent runs at York this year, when finishing second twice and Kevin Phillippart de Foy's runner continued her good run with a solid third at Doncaster last time.

Winner: BOLSTER (#1) (Invincible Spirit x Quilting) - P. L. Jamin - K. Burke
The sun would make a welcome appearance to boost the atmosphere, just in time for this valuable handicap. The early pace would be set by Sisyphean, ridden by Tom Eaves, and the pace would be a steady one in the conditions. Plenty of fancied runners were close to the fore, including the three year old Valvano, Euchen Glen and Bolster in the same colours as the leader. The favourite Stressfree was spotted towards the rear of the group, waiting for his customary late surge under Mark Winn and he was joined by Have Secret and Dual Identity. 
The pack would make their way down the home straight and the petrol gauge of Sisyphean would begin to flash and he began to retreat through the field as his stamina emptied. That would leave Bolster in the lead as the challengers would be whittled down to only a couple. Valvano travelled strongly with purpose and Stressfree weaved his way through past tired horses, Euchen Glen was also still on the scene. The race would fall into the hands of Bolster, who kept up the gallop and despite the best efforts of Stressfree, he was able to provide the Karl Burke stable with a second winner in as many races. Stressfree finished best of all from out of the pack by charging down the leader into second, just ahead of Valvano and the admirable Euchen Glen.

It would be a fifth win from ten starts for the lightly raced four year old who clearly relishes the soft ground conditions. He first caught the eye by winning at Windsor early last year and making two wins from two. He was then given stiff tasks at Royal Ascot and a Newmarket handicap in which he faced quicker ground than ideal. Returning this year, he made a perfect start with a dominant performance at Pontefract where he routed a competitive field on soft ground and then improved further to land a hotly contested handicap at Epsom during their Derby Festival, where he made all once again and stayed clear of trouble. Stepping back into Group company, he struggled against the likes of future St Leger winner Jan Brueghel and the classy Quddwah, but he bounced back to form at Newbury on his latest start when second on his beloved soft ground. A performance like this one gives evidence that Bolster should be able to perform at Group level as a five year next year, provided he gets the conditions he likes.

There would also be a seperate story after the race as it was announced that the much loved Euchen Glen was to be retired after the race. The long time servant to the Jim Goldie stable has been a mainstay in valuable and competitive handicaps for many years. After winning the 2018 John Smith's Cup at York, he would go on to win three Group Three races as well as a listed event. With winning form over ten furlongs up to two miles, he always tried his hardest no matter the contest. He would still be competitive in his elder years with a fourth in the 2023 Ebor Handicap and John Smith's Cup this year. He will be missed on the track, but always remembered for his exploits. 

Race Three: The Coral Sprint Trophy Heritage Handicap - Class Two - Six Furlongs - Runners: 21

The final big race of the season at York would see a strongly contested sprint handicap over six furlongs with plenty of York regulars returning to the fray.

The £100,000 contest has been dominated by Northern trainers in the past ten years with the David O'Meara stable victorious three times since 2014. Last year, the Newmarket based and Yorkshire born William Haggas snapped the winning streak of local stables with Montassib bursting clear in the closing stages to win last year's renewal. The gelding has since gone on to bigger things by winning the Group One Sprint Cup at Haydock recently.

The classy three year old Room Service boosted his strike rate with a nice win at Pontefract in July, but Kevin Ryan's charge was down the field in the Portland last time. The Charlie Hills-trained Orazio has the talent to win a race of this nature, but is often frustrating. His best efforts this year have been third in a listed race and the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot. The Amo Racing-owned Walbank was a high class juvenile two years ago before struggling last year. He returned to winning ways in Dubai at the start of the year but wasn't up to the level of the Portland at Doncaster. Jane Chapple-Hyam's El Bodon began this season with high expectations and finished second in the Greenham Stakes, but he has since struggled in recent starts. The Middleham Park Racing silks were carried by Richard Fahey's Malc, who has been highly tried in his short career. After a second in the Norfolk Stakes last year, he was last seen in action in a Group One at this year's Royal meeting. The William Haggas stable won this last year with a horse dropping in trip and attempted to repeat the feat with the three year old Germanic. The gelding romped home to win for the first time at Newcastle and has placed twice over a furlong longer subsequently. Craig Lidster is already responsible for one sprinting handicap star this year and aimed for another big handicap with The Bell Conductor, who ran well at Epsom and Royal Ascot before getting up close home at Chester last time. Another improving three year old from the Kevin Ryan stable would be Sergeant Wilko, who landed four wins this year but was down the field when well fancied in the Ayr Gold Cup. Kevin Ryan's five year old Aleezdancer has a good record at York and won a good handicap here in May but has only raced twice since then, the latest in the Ayr Gold Cup where he was down the order. King's Lynn has always been a quality horse for Andrew Balding through the years and has now dropped to a dangerous rating having not won since 2022. Richard Fahey's Strike Red landed this race back in 2022 and returned with the hope regaining his crown. He would prove his liking for the course with a second here in August's Ebor Festival. Another from the Kevin Ryan stable would be Bergerac, who has also dropped to a winnable rating. Despite showing improvement on the all-weather, he went close in the Ayr Silver Cup. The David and Nicola Barron-trained Jer Batt is a very speedy sort and with the exception of a low key run on the all-weather, he has been very consistent this year. This would be the first run over six furlongs since his debut in 2022. A veteran from the Michael Dods yard would be Tinto, an eight year old who has plenty of wins through his career. He has added two more wins to his collection but was down the field in the Ayr Gold Cup. One of many former York winners in the lineup would be The Green Man, trained by Joe Parr. After winning on the Knavesmire last year, he would finish third in a similar contest later in the season. This year, his two runs have been better than the bare form. Woven is still capable of good form at the age of eight and landed a fourth career win on his latest start at Haydock. The Michael Dods-trained gelding was also fourth here in May. The grey Secret Guest has run well in some good races for the Bryan Smart stable without winning. He would be down the field on his previous visit to York however. The youngster Eye Of Dubai caught the attention with a lower weight as he is in decent form of late. The John and Sean Quinn-trained gelding had finished placed in decent contests before winning at Ripon last time out. Tim Easterby's ten year old Hyperfocus remains his ability for this level, as shown when second in the 2022 renewal of this race and fourth last year. The highlights of his season have been back to back wins at Chester this summer. The Malton based yard of Seb Spencer saddled their star Archduke Ferdinand, who completed a double of wins within a week before going down narrowly to Aramram at Doncaster. Another for the Tim Easterby yard would be Quest For Fun, who has a good record at York over seven furlongs but dropped down in trip for a rare start over six furlongs. An improver in the field who stepped into this class would be Brian Ellison's Northern Spirit, who just squeezed into the field. The four year old did the job nicely at class four level over course and distance last month. 

Winner: STRIKE RED (#10) (Dark Angel x Capulet Montague) - B. Garritty - R. Fahey

The field would be reduced by one as Summerghand would be withdrawn minutes before the horses entered the parade ring. Despite his absence, the feature race would be an open and hotly contested renewal. Due to the conditions, the field remained in one large group as opposed to the usual split that occurs in usual York handicaps. The pack would migrate to the centre/far side area of the track and the King Power Racing silks of Sergeant Wilko emerged with the overall lead. The pace would be decent in the early stages as all twenty one horses ploughed through the mud. The likes of Hyperfocus, Archduke Ferdinand, Germanic and The Bell Conductor were a few to race close to pace while towards the rear, The Green Man, Malc and Northern Spirit were all trying to find racing room. 
The race would enter its final stages and the jostling for position would soon intensify. Archduke Ferdinand moved closer to Sergeant Wilko and appeared to be a danger. The grey was joined by Hyperfocus as the early leader Sergeant Wilko began to tread on water. From further back, Strike Red had travelled strongly throughout and nosed into contention under Billy Garritty. He would skip into a clear lead under Billy Garritty as others began to tire. Room Service and Eye Of Dubai also made strong late headway as Room Service was the last to challenge. It would be all too late however as Richard Fahey's Strike Red had gained first run and would run out a comfortable winner of this valuable prize for the second time and regain his crown from 2022. The first six home would all be Yorkshire trained as Room Service finished ahead of Eye Of Dubai, Archduke Ferdinand, Sergeant Wilko and Hyperfocus.

Conditions came just right for the six year old Strike Red, who would be a popular winner with the large crowd. As he emulated the success of 2022, the son of Dark Angel had also won a similar race in Ireland last year, the Scurry Handicap at the Curragh during the Irish Derby festival. This year had shown mixed fortunes but on the back of a close up sixth in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood, Strike Red would finish an excellent second in the Constandine Handicap at the Ebor Festival in August, on quick ground. His latest run saw him finish tenth in the Ayr Gold Cup, but second in the far side group when the race was dominated by those down the centre. His official rating was just one pound higher than his 2022 win in this race, so the plan paid off for connections. 

Race Four: The Coral Nursery Handicap - Class Two - 2-Y-O Only - One Mile - Runners: 10

The first of two juvenile events would take place on the mile course and it would be a tight and competitive looking nursery handicap. 

At this stage of the season, two year olds will have gained plenty of experience by now which would come in useful on the expected soft ground. This class two event has been won by some smart types in the past, none more so than this year's listed race winner Grey's Monument, trained by Ralph Beckett. The Littlehampton based trainer has a good record in this race having also won it in 2019 with future Cambridgeshire runner up Lucander and more recently last season with Whiskey Pete, who was winning for the first time in the process.

Top weight would belong to the Hugo Palmer-trained Seagolazo. After winning on third start, he would run creditably at the Ebor Festival before outrunning his big odds in a valuable sales race at Doncaster last time. Ralph Beckett would race the maiden Valiant Knight. He is another well bred sort who went close last time out and moved into handicap company from a competitive rating. Andrew Balding would be another high profile trainer in the race as he saddled Chemical. The colt has run well in three novice contests and moved up a furlong to a mile. Fearless Freddy got off the mark in impressive style on his third run at Leicester before running a good race in a useful nursery at Goodwood. On his latest start, he was a smooth winner on the all-weather and has clearly improved for the switch to handicaps for Chris Grassick and William Muir. Another improver in recent starts would be Our Mighty Mo, for the Middleham Park Racing and Karl Burke combination. He would win for the second time in three starts at Haydock a fortnight ago. William Haggas's Sir William showed a jolt of improvement on softer ground last time when collared on the line by a debutant winner at Haydock two weeks ago and had the potential to win a race. The Malton based stable of Adrian Keatley has enjoyed a breakthrough season and would be represented here too. Pap's Turf also won on second start and was evidently well regarded, but blew out on his latest start back in July. Grant Tuer's Chesneys Charm had the option of a valuable sales race, but has been on the up on the all-weather recently. He joined the yard recently and won for the third time in his career in decent style at Newcastle a week ago. The Ollie Pears-trained Suzette used her experience to win nicely at the fourth time of asking, but she would race too keenly last time in a competitive handicap at Ayr last time. Mick and David Easterby's runner Blueandtangerine was a slow burner initially, but got off the mark in nice style at Thirsk and has since performed with credit in two subsequent starts. 

Winner: FEARLESS FREDDY (#4) (Territories x Beyond Fashion) - L. Edmunds - C. Grassick & W. Muir. 

The race would be run without David O'Meara's We Dare To Dream, another from the yard to be withdrawn due to the ground conditions. The early pace would be a sedate one as Chemical was rousted into the lead having reared as the gates opened. He would be chased in the early stages by Fearless Freddy and Our Mighty Mo, both of whom raced keenly. As the pack meandered around the Knavesmire, the pack would be tightly grouped. The well fancied Sir William and Valiant Knight both over-raced in the early stages and were further back than ideal. 
Approaching the final two furlongs, the pace began to heat up. Hugo Palmer's Seagolazo moved up to Our Mighty Mo up front and began to duel for the win. The early leader Chemical quickly folded out of contention and Fearless Freddy appeared to be caught flat footed as the pace increased. He would find himself behind a wall of horses and time was starting to run out. Seagolazo and Our Mighty Mo continued their private battle for the lead and Seagolazo started to gain the upper hand. Fearless Freddy would be angled around the pack under Lewis Edmunds and the colt quickened up nicely to swoop past the front two in the closing stages and win going away at the finish. Seagolazo had to settle for the silver medal, just ahead of Our Mighty Mo, while Chesneys Charm did his best work at the end by staying on into fourth.

It would be a race that changed dramatically inside the final stages as the progressive juvenile Fearless Freddy landed a win that was unlikely at one stage. The son of Territories had always been held in good regard as his first two starts would come in valuable novice races. Having shown inexperience on debut at Windsor, he improved into third at Bath next time before making landing a first success at Leicester on slightly slower ground over seven furlongs. He would then contest a hot nursery handicap at Glorious Goodwood in which he finished a close up fifth, beaten just under four lengths. On his latest start, he would show plenty of willingness to win at Kempton for the first time over a mile and he is quickly developing into a useful sort. A distant relative to Unex El Greco, a useful sort in Britain before winning on multiple occasions in Bahrain, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him competing in valuable handicaps next year for this stable. 

Race Five: The Coral EBF Maiden Stakes - Class Two - 2-Y-O Only - One Mile - Runners: 7
The focus would switch to the future with this valuable juvenile maiden for potential stayers of the future. 

Despite the class two status, the last two runnings have been won by horses who failed to go on as three year olds. The first renewal in 2022 saw the well bred Modesty make a winning debut for the Martyn and Freddie Meade stable while last year, Richard Fahey's Colorada Dancer took advantage of his previous experience to win for the first time in comfortable style. 

At this time of the year, Andrew Balding begins to unveil his better hopes for next year and Almeric comes from a stout family. The colt did his best work at the finish at Sandown when fourth on debut. The Amo Racing outfit have unveiled some impressive maiden winners recently and would be hoping for another with Bryant. The George Scott-trained newcomer is the second foal of a Group Three winner. The Richard Hannon-trained Distant Memory would be another to finish third on first start and plugged on at the same pace on unsuitably heavy ground. John and Sean Quinn's Magellan Cloud made his debut at the valuable Ayr meeting last month and suffered trouble in running. He would defy inexperience to finish a promising fourth and took his chance in this contest. A second runner from the  David O'Meara's Raulin shaped with some promise on debut when facing soft ground at Hamilton on racecourse bow. He would plug on into a never nearer third and faced potentially better conditions. The Roger Varian-trained Ride The Thunder has a good chance on form having finished second in both starts to date. His two starts at Doncaster have seen him come across a pair of smart looking winners, the most recent where he was nailed on the line. Craig Lidster's yard would be represented by Seed Investor, who made his debut here in a useful looking novice over seven furlongs back in July where he showed ability by finishing seventh but has yet to be seen since.

Winner: ALMERIC (#1) (Study Of Man x Alvarita) - PJ McDonald - A. Balding

The dark clouds loomed over the Knavesmire and a hefty shower would fall to disperse the crowds. Just seven runners would go to post following the withdrawal of intended debutant Nordic Norm from the Karl Burke stable.

In an intriguing contest, the field would get away to an even break as the rain decided to relent. The well named Ride The Thunder would take up the early running under Ray Dawson and he would be followed by the Andrew Balding-trained Almeric. Magellan Cloud would be close up on the heels of the leaders along with Raulin as Distant Memories raced slightly wider than his rivals. The newcomer Bryant would travel strongly towards the rear and Seed Investor would bring up the tail of the group as the pace was only a modest one. 

As the race began to start in earnest, a few began to feel the pinch. Seed Investor appeared to be moving well off a slow pace, but was outpaced once the tempo rose. Distant Memories's wide path also left him exposed in the final stages as he and Raulin would go backwards. Up front, the race would remain between Ride The Thunder and Almeric, the two strongly fancied runners. The grey Almeric had nosed in front at the two furlong pole, but Ride The Thunder gamely battled back. It looked set to be a second novice winner of the meeting for the Roger Varian stable until Almeric dug in deep and began to assert inside the final stages to win with a bit in hand. Ride The Thunder would finish runner up for the third time in a row, but lost little in defeat. The pair finished four lengths clear of the third horse Magellan Clouds, who just held off the attentions of Bryant, who was making an encouraging debut in fourth.

The gruelling conditions in the race meant that it would be a test of stamina for these horses and it came as no surprise to see Almeric come out on top. The Andrew Balding-trained juvenile is owned and bred by Kirsten Rausing, a renowned figure in racing who was responsible for the likes of dual Champion Stakes winning mare Alborada and 2022 Arc winner Alpinista. The colt's pedigree is filled with stamina which bodes well for next year as he faces longer distances. A half brother to the Group Three winner Alla Speranza, who is in turn the dam of classy 7f horse Shine So Bright, there are also winning hurdlers in his close family such as Albert Bridgel. The grandson of Alborada went into plenty of notebooks on his debut at Sandown just under a month ago, which had already provided two subsequent winners. He was given an educational ride and returned home in fourth, which was a more than satisfactory effort. Following on from this win, connections could be aiming at the Derby or other prestigious events next year. 

Race Six: The Coral Stayers' Handicap - Class Three - Two Miles - Runners: 10

The final 'long distance' race of the season at York would be this class three contest which offered decent prize money for the level. 
In recent years, the race has been a good hunting ground for National Hunt yards as the jumps season kicks off simutaneously. The popular Fergal O'Brien stable have won this race twice in the past three years with the grey Gumball and last year with Punctuation. In 2020, the multi talented The Jam Man won this before going on to win over hurdles and fences subsequently. The flat brigade have won this race too as Roger Varian's yard won the race in 2022 to go with a pair of successes for the Mick and David Easterby yard. 

Top weight would be carried by stout stayer Emiyn from the Declan Carroll stable. The mare finished runner up in the Chester Cup back in May but was never involved last time following a slow start. David O'Meara's Get Shirty has run well in high quality races over a range of distances in recent years, but his last two runs have been below his best. The ten year old Torcello rolled back the years for Sean Lycett by winning at Pontefract at the start of the season, He would be making his first start since the middle of May. The grey Arrange has a decent record at York and went down with a fight in this contest last year when narrowly denied by Puncuation. Martin Todhunter's gelding will be looking to go one place better this year. Tracey Waggott's relatively new recruit Robert Johnson won for the first time this year in the Cesarewitch Trial a fortnight ago and would line up here instead of Newmarket. Tim Easterby's Zimmerman won over course and distance back in July to improve his good record at the venue but beaten a long way at Ripon last time out. The filly Surrey Belle has been quietly progressive for the Hughie Morrison stable and won for a second time this year last time at Haydock on soft ground. She would be moving up in class here. The popular stable of John Berry would saddle Merrijig, who finished fifth here on his last visit to York and has won his last two starts, including at Ripon where he galloped on relentlessly to win by ten lengths. The Charlie Johnston-trained Yorkindness won at York last year and is a solid stayer for the yard. This year the mare has placed on numerous occasions but suffered two heavy defeats recently. Tim Easterby's Gibside is another with good experiences at York in the past but has yet to win over two miles. He would provide the yard with a good second option. The final runner in the lineup Corsican Caper has found bundles of improvement this year as all five of her wins have come in 2024. Kevin Frost's mare was strong at the finish over two miles at Chester before running below form last time. 

Winner: GIBSIDE (#10) (Time Test x Ardbrae) - C. Hardie - T. Easterby

The rain that arrived on scene for the previous race returned even stronger in conditions that only the bravest remained outdoors in. In some surreal weather, the sky would be halved with bright sun and heavy downpours, leading to a rainbow over the grandstands.

In miserable weather, the race got underway and the guaranteed front runner Emiyn went straight to the front. There is only one way to ride to the mare and she soon tore off into a clear lead at a rapid pace under Paul Mulrennan. Surrey Belle would race in second, along with Torcello and Arrange who formed a much closer pack. Gibside would be amongst those towards the rear, along with the grey Corsican Caper, Yorkindness and Merrijig. The tearaway leader Emiyn would get as far as the end of the back straight before falling back to the main group. Her early exploits would see the mare get passed by her rivals and she was soon at the rear of the pack as the remainder turned for home. The blinkered Torcello inherited the lead from Emiyn and kept up the more sensible gallop. Approaching the halfway point of the home straight, the race soon began to look like a national hunt race with plenty of horses weakening away and a slow motion finish. Torcello held onto the lead as far as the two furlong pole as the grey Arrange travelled strongly. It looked set for the mare to go one place better than last year's renewal, but it would be a case of last horse standing and Gibside had been ridden quietly under Cam Hardie and left Arrange standing and seeing it out the best to win by five lengths. It would be another brave run by Arrange to finish a tired second ahead of Torcello. Robert Johnson's endless stamina saw him finish fourth, but a long way behind the winner.

In a war of attrition, it would be another win at York for the likable stayer Gibside. The five year old was successful on the Knavesmire under Sean Kirrane over a mile and four furlongs in July last year and his latest win came at Catterick on totally contrasting conditions to the afternoon's. In recent weeks, the son of Time Test had been in decent form with podium placings at Chester, Thirsk, Redcar and Pontefract and his tenacity matched with the patience of Cam Hardie in the saddle proved to be a winning formula. 

Race Seven: The Coral Finale Handicap - Class Four - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 14

The final race of the day brought the curtain down on another busy and memorable season on the Knavesmire.

The class four handicap can be seen as a chance of gaining bragging rights as the final winner at York of the year before the winter draws in. Despite its status, the handicap has been won by a couple of useful sorts in the past. In 2021, Something Enticing landed the finale before winning at listed level a year later. A year later, Julie Camacho's Titian caused a surprise before running well in strong handicaps at the start of 2023.

The weights would be headed by Two Brothers, who held an alternative entry earlier in the card but Mick and David Easterby opted for this lesser race for the gelding who won back in May. The veteran Cockalorum lined up at York once again for the Roger Fell stable having finished fourth in a stronger race at the Ebor Festival in August. The grey Yorkshire Lady would give Mick and David Easterby a good backup in this race. A classy mare at her best, she has also won over hurdles this year. The Tony Coyle and Kaine Wood-trained Ey Up Its The Boss had been building up a run of form before struggling on soft ground here last month, but won on his next start to confirm his wellbeing. Austrian Theory has shown a mixed bag of form this year since joining the Tim Easterby stable, but was left trailing in the winner's wake at Hamilton last week. The Hughie Morrison-trained Surrey Fire has raced exclusively on the all-weather this year which is where he gained a first success. The stoutly bred colt ran well on his sole turf race when second on debut last year. Another from the Tim Easterby yard would be Financer, who looked exposed to an extent earlier in the season, but caused a surprise by winning a good handicap at Ayr last month. The sole runner from the Michael Dods stable would be Pol Roger, who has done well at Ayr this year with two wins and three seconds. He has raced over a range of distances but was found out in stronger contests. Another recent improver in the field would be Glistening Nights from the Richard Fahey stable. The gelding won for the fourth time since June in nice style at Redcar. Another three year old in the field would be Terrorise for Brian Ellison. He has run with credit around this sort of level and was deemed good enough to contest the Melrose Handicap here during the Ebor Festival. Ed Walkers' Kings Scholar remains a maiden after five starts and has been too far back in the early stages to make an impact in his latest starts. The Grant Tuer-trained Titainium ran poorly on his only visit to York back in July, but has since won again to prove that run to be all wrong. His latest run saw him bump into the in-form Glistening Nights. Hartur d'Oudairies began his life over hurdles and was once owned by JP McManus. After losing his way over obstacles, the seven year old has turned his attention to the flat with Brian Ellison but he has yet to fire in this discipline. The final runner would be another from the Richard Fahey stable, Mystical Maria. The grey filly belatedly delivered on her debut promise to get up in the closing stages and win for the first time on latest start. 

Winner: TWO BROTHERS (#1) (Sir Percy x Blandish) - B. Garritty - M & D. Easterby 

The race would be reduced by a quarter with the withdrawals of likely contender Promethean, Phone Tag, Baryshnikov and Bodorgan. The rain had relented to leave a golden sunset over the racecourse to provide a fitting send off. The gates would fly open for the final time at York and the field would get away to a decent break. The early leader would be the consistent Ey Up Its The Boss under David Nolan and they would be kept in close company by Two Brothers, Terrorise and Cockalorum. The early pace would be a decent one as there was plenty of runners held up behind the small group of leaders. 
As the field swung around to face up to the imposing grandstands in the distance, the race began to take shape. Ey Up Its The Boss held on to his narrow lead but now face a two pronged attack from the Tim Easterby yard. Two Brothers remained close up as Financer moved forward to join in. Terrorise's effort would be a short lived one and he quickly retreated through the order. Those who were held up began to make their move too. The likes of King's Scholar, Hartur d'Oudairies and Austrian Theory all kept on at the same pace, but the place to be was at the front. Two Brothers kept finding for pressure under Billy Garritty and opened up a narrow lead. His stablemate Yorkshire Lady was the final challenger and the grey mare kept on dourly under Jo Mason. Her effort was all too late however as Two Brothers had always been in the box seat and was able to hold off his nearest pursuer. Yorkshire Lady would run well in second, ahead of the long time leader Ey Up Its The Boss and Austrian Theory would round out the placings by also staying on from the rear.

It would be a well received result for the final race at York as the Mick and David Easterby stable recorded a first and second. The family are the definition of Yorkshiremen and love nothing more than a winner at their local track. In keeping with the family, Tim Easterby saddled the fourth home too. It would be a second win on the Knavesmire for Two Brothers, who is another to have won here on slower ground conditions over a mile and four furlongs back in September last year. The six year old began the season brightly with a clear cut victory at Thirsk in April before struggling in better company, including the first race of the year at York. He would struggle on heavy ground over twelve furlongs last time at Newbury, but a drop in trip and positive tactics were all key components to the success.

It would bring down the curtain on another season of racing at York, filled with drama, emotion and quality, The shining memory of the year would be the epic renewal of the Juddmonte International, which saw Derby winner City Of Troy beat a stellar cast which also included the subsequent Arc winner Bluestocking. From the first race winner Crystal Delight to the final race winner Two Brothers, the doors will close over the winter but the action will make a keenly awaited return in May 2025.