Race One: The Sky Bet Strensall Stakes - Group Three - One Mile, One Furlong - Runners: 9

The action on this ever-popular Saturday meeting began with a Group Three raced over the unusual trip of nine furlongs. The contest usually sees progressive three-year-olds use this race as a stepping stone to bigger things as well as very classy horses who either finish strongly over a mile or just fail to see out the ten furlongs.

Following its introduction to the Ebor Festival in 2009, the race has produced some high class winners. The popular Rio De La Plata would win this race towards the end of his career while the tough Mondialiste is another former winner. The grey Lord Glitters was a brilliant globe trotter who put Yorkshire on the racing map and he was produce from this race along with Alflaila and Real World. Twelve months ago, the Richard Fahey-trained Spirit Dancer made full use of his love for York to land a fourth Knavesmire win. He would then go on to win highly valuable contests in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

The Owen Burrows stable landed this race two years with their subsequently high class horse Alflaila and were looking to repeat history with Alyanaabi in the same ownership. The three year old had the class to finish fifth in the Guineas and at Royal Ascot, but failed to stay over ten furlongs in a weaker contest last time out. The newly gelded Checkandchallenge is a smart sort on his day, as shown when landing a heavy ground listed race at Newmarket at the end of last year. This season, he has returned midfield in all starts so far but dropped in class. The John Smith's Cup winner Enfjaar returned to the scene of his biggest win and was unlucky to not win again at Glorious Goodwood, where his challenge came too late. He would be looking to complete a rare double of wins at York. Karl Burke's Flight Plan returned third in last year's contest before scoring in an Irish Group Three on his next start. This season, he hasn't been in the same form but has a best result of fifth in a Group Three over seven furlongs. The talented handicapper Haunted Dream showed him can cut it at this level with a second in listed company at Royal Ascot before putting a poor run in the John Smith's Cup behind him and winning a minor event at Glorious Goodwood. George Scott and Callum Shepherd combined to win the Hardwicke Stakes for Victorious Racing in June and the trio combined again here with Phantom Flight, who won the final race on this card by a wide margin in 2022 for previous connections. He has been a reliable sort in listed company recently and after winning on seasonal reappearance, he finished on the heels of the winner Al Aasy at Goodwood last time out. Marco Botti's Royal Dubai performed well in Dubai at the start of the season and won a pair of valuable handicaps over there. Since returning to Britain, he has placed in a pair of Group events and looked worthy of the rise in trip. The three year old filly See The Fire was a talented juvenile, but struggled at the start of this year in some top races. The Andrew Balding-trained runner then returned to her best in the Nassau Stakes where she chased down the high class Opera Singer. The final runner in the race would be the Juddmonte-owned Task Force, trained by Ralph Beckett. The three year old was a high class sprinter last season, finishing second at Group One level, before finishing in the pack in the 2000 Guineas in May. He has slightly underachieved this year and was looking to get his career back on track. 
Winner: SEE THE FIRE (#9) (Sea The Stars x Arabian Queen) - O. Murphy - A. Balding

The final day of meeting would get underway to an even break and the grey silks of Flight Plan would set off into the early lead. Task Force and Checkandchallenge would be slightly slower to leave their stalls, though it could have been through design. The gallop set by Dan Tudhope would be an average one as Checkandchallenge was hustled forward into a prominent position. Enfjaar would race out wide from his high draw as Task Force would be another make headway at an early stage. The field would follow the trend of keeping to the far side rail and the race began to unravel approaching the two furlong pole. The silks of the previous day's feature race winning owners Victorious Racing would be seen moving into the lead with Phantom Flight, who was joined by Checkandchallenge. Racing room would soon become a premium as the pace began to hot up. Task Force would find himself looking at a wall of horses ahead of him and See The Fire was also travelling smoothly under Oisin Murphy. As the two leaders fought between themselves for the win, the gaps opened up perfectly for See The Fire and the filly quickened up stylishly on the far rail to take over in front. She would pull clear at the finish to win by a length and three-quarters. The finish for minor placings would be much closer as Phantom Flight narrowly fended off Checkandchallenge. Task Force would be an unlucky fourth when getting going too late while Alyanaabi would disappoint by finishing last. 

This season has been one of patience for the connections of See The Fire, who returned to her very best in this contest. The three year old is a daughter of Sea The Stars and Arabian Queen, two former winners of the Juddmonte International so a victory at this meeting wouldn't have been a surprise. She made a smart winning debut at Newmarket before taking in the steep rise to finish second in the Group Two May Hill Stakes at Doncaster. Last year concluded with a close up third in the Group One Fillies' Mile, which brought her into contention for Classics in the spring. This season, she would reappear in the 1,000 Guineas, but lacked for race practice and returned home towards the rear. Promise began to be shown with a fifth in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot before finishing fourth behind the colts in the Eclipse at Sandown. Last time out, she showed a liking for this new trip by finishing strongly in the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood where she gave first run to the high class Opera Singer. A repeat of that run in this weaker contest saw a return to winning ways and a perfect start for favourite backers.  

Race Two: The Sky Bet Melrose Heritage Handicap - Class Two - One Mile, Six Furlongs - Runners: 16

Commonly known as the "mini Ebor", this three-year-old handicap has become a hotly contested staying race with an automatic spot in next year's Ebor awaiting the winner. 
With a boost in prize money a few years ago, this heritage handicap often has the feel of a Group race and previous winners have gone on to bigger and better things. In 2019, the William Haggas-trained Hamish defeated Trueshan here and they both continue to run at a high level even today. A year later, Andrew Balding's Coltrane was an easy winner of this contest and still remains a force in the staying division, as shown by winning last year's Lonsdale Cup. In 2023, there would be another classy victor as the John and Thady Gosden-trained Middle Earth continued his progress to win easily and has since landed a Group Three contest this year. 

This year's running looked to be an open one and the weights would be headed by Aidan O'Brien's colt The Equator. He would have useful form over shorter, but ran keenly in the Queen's Vase at this distance in June. Karl Burke is another trainer to enjoy success this week and saddled Imperial Sovereign, who looked promising on debut last winter but has been beaten heavily in Group contests and has now been gelded. The second Irish representative would be the Jessie Harrington-trained Going Remote, who has improved over this sort of trip and received a great ride to win in the final strides at the Shergar Cup meeting last time. Tom Clover's Tabletalk won an all-weather novice on his return and was then thought good enough to run in the Epsom Derby on next start. He would be outclassed there, but got back on track with a third recently. Andrew Balding is a stable to follow in this contest having won it twice in five years. He would combine with Oisin Murphy with Wild Waves, who was heading the right way and slipped on the bend at Haydock in a good event last time out. Chris Grassick and William Muir's runner Spaceport has enjoyed a change of tactics and his front running ways have resulted in two wins this year. He would keep on finding more at Sandown last time out. The Royal silks would be on display with the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Reaching High, a son of the Gold Cup winner Estimate, who broke his maiden in emphatic style at Wolverhampton last time. The theme of progressive stayers continued with the second Andrew Balding-trained runner Tactician, who bravely won for a second time this year at Ascot over two miles. He would drop backk in trip here. Another from the Jessie Harrington stable would be Mo Ghille Mar, who is owned with Australian interest and made all the running to stretch clear last time, but this would be a first try at the trip. Kevin Phillippart de Foy would be represented by Too Bossy For Us, who has improved over longer distances and landed a good handicap at Ascot in May. More recently, he has found the rapidly progressive Align The Stars too strong. The William Haggas-trained Dramatic Star was looking to give the yard a second win in three years and the colt won for the first time in good style before being one of many to slip on the bend mid race at Haydock and all chance had gone. The Newmarket-based Champagne Prince held plenty of potential after winning two all-weather contests easily last winter, but started this season on the back foot. He posted a seasonal best when just caught by Going Remote at Ascot last time out. The lightly raced Master Builder would run for the David Menuisier stable and after a promising debut, went one better next time at Salisbury. He would be well held in novice company last time and a question mark would lie over the ground conditions. The Hughie Morrison stable sent up Sun God from their Berkshire stable and the gelding has been a useful type this year without setting the world alight. He would be another try the trip for the first time. A pair of locally based Brian Ellison runners would round out the field. The well regarded Tryfan showed promise in novices before winning on the all-weather at a lower level. He then returned to Newcastle last time out and confirmed his liking for the surface with a second. His stablemate Terrorise would face a stiff task from out of the weights and even a wide margin win at Doncaster wouldn't be enough form to suggest he has a chance. 

Winner: TABLETALK (#4) (Camelot x Dillydallydo) - R. Ryan - T. Clover

The informative handicap would be one to make note of with so many improving types in the lineup and others who were stepping up in trip. There would be a host of runners at the head of the field, but the Irish runner Mo Ghille Mar would hold a slender advantage under Oisin Orr. The grey Spaceport took up his usual position at the head of the field as the royal runner Reaching High took up his position on the outside of the group. The newly blinkered The Equator poked his head through into contention and Tabletalk would run close to the running rail. The pack would make their way down the back straight and past the trees at the halfway stage, but the order remained mostly the same. As the pace began to pick up, the race soon filtered out the non stayers from those who would stay. Towards the rear, Champagne Prince and Spaceport would fold quickly while the early leaders Mo Ghille Mar, Dramatic Star and Reaching High would all empty suddenly. Further ahead, the race began to develop. The Equator have moved into a narrow lead, but Tabletalk was still there plugging away. Master Builder had also made progress, but still had ground to make up on the leaders. In a gruelling final furlong, it would be Tabletalk who saw it out the best and pulled clear of The Equator to land this valuable prize. The Equator did very well to give weight away and finished in isolation as Master Builder continued to progress with a third. From even further back, Wild Waves made up the most ground of those held up early on and showed his liking for the distance.

The winner Tabletalk had to be very tough to land this well contested handicap, which gives an automatic spot in 2025's Ebor Handicap line up, should he make it to the race. Tom Clover's colt made his debut in December last year in which he finished a close third at Kempton and after a decent break away from the track, made a winning return at Chelmsford in May to break his maiden tag. The son of Camelot was then given his chance to run in the Epsom Derby on just his third start, but he would finish a respectable tenth behind City of Troy. He returned to handicap company last time out at Ascot, where he possibly did too much too soon and gradually weakened into third. As a distant relative to the useful stayer on the flat turned hurdler Drill Sergeant, there will plenty of more options for Tabletalk at this level. A tough type, he could be one to return next year for the big one.

Race Three: The Sky Bet City Of York Stakes - Group Two - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 6

This race may be a Group Two in name, but the quality of horse to compete in this seven furlong event has prompted suggestion that it should be promoted to Group One status. The seven furlong division was often seen a niche area for horses with a preference for the intermediate trip, but some brilliant horses have emerged from this race including Space Blues, Kinross and Expert Eye. Last year, in a farewell tour for the Italian, Kinross would easily win this contest for the second year running under flamboyant jockey Frankie Dettori.

Tim Easterby's multiple Group One winner Art Power usually lacks the pace for seven furlongs, but the grey ran well in this race two years ago when fourth to Kinross. Audience was better known as a seven furlong specialist for John and Thady Gosden and a close second in last year's renewal. This year however, he was a surprise all-the-way winner of the Group One Lockinge in May over a mile but returned to a more suitable distance to win the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood. The Andrew Balding-trained Fivethousandtoone found a new lease of life on the all-weather, but isn't quite as competitive on turf. The six year old weakened quickly in the final furlong of 2021's running of this race. Richard Hannon's Shouldvebeenaring has been versatile over the last two seasons and placed in the Prix de la Foret last autumn. After going close over six furlongs here in May, he had no fear over this kind of contest. Kevin Phillippart de Foy's six year old Vafortino is a seven furlong specialist who ran well here last year. He would go on to win at listed level but is a smart sort. First of the fillies would be the locally-trained Breege for the John and Sean Quinn stable. The four year old won at Epsom on Derby day against her own sex, but this would be another step up. The William Haggas-trained Lake Forest won the aforementioned Gimcrack Stakes last year but showed he has trained on with a great second in the Commonwealth Cup on reappearance and matched that result in the Hackwood Stakes. 

Winner: BREEGE (#7) (Starspangledbanner x Wowcha) - C. Keane - J & S. Quinn

The morning of the race would see the withdrawal of Kinross, winner of the past two runnings of this race. It meant there would be a new name for the trophy. As the horses stood patiently in the stalls, Lake Forest would rear up in his gate and have his legs stuck over the front of the stalls. After a worrying few moments, he was able to be extricated without injury. 

The reduced field would soon get underway and the early pace would be a strong one as they made up for lost time. Art Power would hold a narrow lead as Audience raced slightly wider. The short priced favourite would race keenly under Rab Havlin, but still held his position. Fivethousandtoone would race close to the pace set by his fellow King Power Racing-owned front runner Art Power while the second grey in the field Shouldvebeenaring and Vafortino would be just behind the leaders. The tail of the field would be brought up by the filly Breege as the group quickly arrived at the the two furlongs out point. Art Power's legs began to give way and surrendered the lead to Audience and it looked set for another big prize for the Gosden horse, but the competition would heat up. Shouldvebeenaring travelled well into contention along with the outsider Breege in the green silks. The filly cruised into contention under Colin Keane and picked up well into a narrow lead. Audience would be hard at work under Rab Havlin and Vafortino began to rally inside the final furlong having been outpaced briefly. Breege would keep on well to land the Group Two prize in comfortable fashion as Vafortino made it an unexpected forecast. Shouldvebeenaring would take third as Audience would be slightly disappointing by failing to take advantage of this penalty kick.

It would be a second win of the week for the John and Sean Quinn and another win in this contest, having won in 2020 with the classy Safe Voyage. In a weakened line up, the four year old filly Breege was able to sit off a quick pace under Irish champion jockey Colin Keane and make her move at her own digression. This would be a career best performance, but the daughter of Starspangledbanner has been gradually improving this year. She would often finish in the frame in Group contests as a younger horse and last season she ran a big race to finish second in the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot. She gained a first Group race win this year at the Epsom Derby Festival in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes over a mile and against her own sex. Last time out at Glorious Goodwood, she would boil over before and during the race and produced a below par effort. Despite her odds, the form in the book was there for all to see and this win will now be vital for a future as a broodmare. 

Race Four: The Sky Bet Ebor Heritage Handicap - Class Two - One Mile, Six Furlongs - Runners: 20

The flagship race of the meeting may be the Juddmonte International, but the Ebor Handicap holds the most history and prestige. The fourteen furlong contest is now worth a massive £1,000,000 to the winner which has helped boost the profile of the famous handicap as well as improve the quality of contestant. 

The race stretches back to 1843 and continues to be a highlight of the calendar in 2024. Champion hurdler Sea Pigeon, star stayer Further Flight and the hugely popular Sergeant Cecil have all landed this race over the years, but there has also been shock wins such as Mudawin's 100-1 stunner in 2006. In recent years, the quality of winner has ramped up. 2021 saw a downpour during the race but Sonnyboyliston emerged from the gloom to win before adding the Irish St Leger to his CV. A special ride by Frankie Dettori guided Trawlerman to success here and Godolphin's stayer finished second in this year's Ascot Gold Cup. In 2023, under another well judged ride by Frankie Dettori, the Willie Mullins-trained Absurde made all the running to fend off his rivals and win. He would travel to Australia for the Melbourne Cup before winning over hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival this year. 

The top weight would fall this year to Relentless Voyager, a wide margin winner of an Epsom handicap before plugging on into third here in a listed race. He was collared close home by Al Aasy in the Group Three Glorious Stakes. Aidan O'Brien has won this great race only once, way back in 2001, but would have a big team assembled here. His first representative would be Queenstown, who has been acting as pacemaker in Group contests this year but has run well and looked well handicapped. Wise Eagle has been brilliantly handled by trainer Adam Nicol and the gelding has risen through the ranks in recent years. He set up for this contest with a staying on third in the Group Three back in July. The first from the William Haggas stable would be Naqeeb, who is at a level below his illustrious half brothers Baaeed and Hukum, but is turning into a smart stayer. The Harry Eustace-trained Crystal Delight booked his seat for the Ebor by winning the very first race of York's season back in May and was given a great front running ride. Since then, he was beaten a big distance in a listed race. The first Irish runner would be Jessie Harrington's Yashin, who competed in last year's running. The Group Three winner would be looking to improve on last year's seventh place, in which he was endured a nightmare trip. Last year's winning trainer Willie Mullins unsurprisingly held a strong contender with Hipop De Loire, who would be a fascinating one. The seven year old is a German expat, but ran very well on his hurdling debut recently so made great appeal for his connections. Henry de Bromhead would be another leading Irish dual purpose yard with a runner and his mare Magical Zoe has raced just three times on the flat but is a very smart hurdler. Brian Ellison achieved a boyhood dream when landing the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle with Onesmoothoperator and was looking to land a second Ebor with the six year old. Former Royal Ascot winner Burdett Road developed into a high class juvenile hurdler last winter for James Owen, but injury cost him a chance at the Cheltenham Festival. He is another classy sort to be aimed at this big prize and warmed up with a spin on the flat recently.  Ziggy would provide Harry Eustace with a good team as he broke a streak of placings in good races to win here last month in a slightly easier contest. He brought plenty of smart form to the table. Andrew Balding's Fairbanks looked to be a stayer to follow last season and he has kept up his useful standards this year. The well bred four year old landed a similar race at Newmarket before going close against a rapidly improving sort last time. David O'Meara's Epic Poet has made himself known as a strong finisher in big handicaps and after a second at Royal Ascot, he stayed on into fifth last time in the John Smith's Cup. Sir Mark Prescott's stable are regulars in staying contests and he saddled Sea King, who has won twice this year, but not over this far though. Leading Irish jumps trainer Gavin Cromwell sent over My Mate Mozzie for this valuable contest. The winning hurdler and chaser kept on well into third on his latest flat start at Royal Ascot. The Ed Bethell-trained Chillingham has been kept away with this race in mind as he made his first start since the first race at York back in May. On that day he stayed on strongly into third behind Crystal Delight. The lightly raced four year old Shadow Dance would have a progressive profile barring a poor run a Royal Ascot. The Roger Varian trained gelding has a liking for slower ground conditions. Adrian Keatley's Kihavah has an excellent record at York with three wins in the past and ran well once again when second here in May. He would be versatile with distances. The David O'Meara stable would love to win this race for the first time and saddled their improving stayer Iron Lion, who landed his third win of the year in game fashion last time at Ripon. Oneforthegutter would be another representative for the Ian Williams stable and showed his capabilities for this level when second at Newmarket's July Festival. Kevin Ryan's Forza Orta won the two mile race at the Ebor meeting last year, but his form this year has left something to be desired; including in the two mile race a few days earlier.  
Winner: MAGICAL ZOE (#8) (Shantou x Fidaia) - W. Lee - H. De Bromhead

This year's highly anticipated renewal would get underway and immediately there would be a split in groups. The larger group of those drawn middle to low would bunch together on the near side running rail, but a handful of horses drawn high would keep to the far side, avoiding the need to use up stamina by tracking across too early. The far side group would be headed by Crystal Delight, who was joined by Relentless Voyager, Yashin and Queenstown. The main body of the field would see Ziggy lead narrowly from Burdett Road, Chillingham and Iron Lion. The remainder would be tightly packed as the runners made their way down the back straight. With the first bend approaching after four furlongs, the wider group had crossed over to join the main group. Seconds later, disaster would strike. The new overall leader Crystal Delight would stumble on the flat and fall back through the field. Unseating Tom Marquand, the six year year old would devastatingly lose his life.

The race would continue and the began to approach the climax. Queenstown would inherit the lead in unfortunate circumstances, but it was clear from an early stage of the home straight that he would struggle. Ziggy would keep on as his stamina would be to be tested and plenty of chances emerged from the pack. Ian Williams's Oneforthegutter made good headway under Joe Fanning and looked threatening at a big price as York regular Kihavah was another to make progress heading towards the final furlong. The strongly fancied Magical Zoe travelled powerfully into contention under Billy Lee and once the accelerator was pressed, the filly responded with a telling turn of pace to burst clear in the Ebor. A twenty horse would turn into a one horse race as Magical Zoe landed yet another big race win for the brilliant Henry de Bromhead yard. Kihavah would stay on into second to delight his local stable as Oneforthegutter returned in a deserving third. Epic Poet would make his customary late headway into fourth while Hipop de Loire suffered interference on numerous occasions and did well to finish fifth.

It would be a case of "mission accomplished" for connections of Magical Zoe as this race has seemingly been on the agenda all season. The mare originally made her name as a hurdler, winning three times over timber and finishing second in the mares' novice hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. She returned to Prestbury Park in March to finish strongly into fourth in the County Hurdle, conveniently behind last year's Ebor winner Absurde. Switching her attention to the flat this year, she debuted in the sphere in a listed race at Cork, returning fifth. After getting off the mark next time, she returned to pattern races with a close up third at Fairyhouse in the Group Three Stanerra Stakes, which set up this trip to York. The mare was totally unexposed on the flat and showed how talented Henry de Bromhead is at picking and choosing targets on the flat. Winner of the Grand National, Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and now the Ebor, Henry de Bromhead has won it all now. He will get the opportunity to take on Willie Mullins and Vauban in the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November, the race that stops a nation.

Race Five: The Sky Bet Constandine Heritage Handicap - Class Two - Six Furlongs - Runners: 19

A relatively new addition to the Ebor Festival, this very competitive class two heritage handicap was drawn up as York's equivalent to Royal Ascot's Wokingham Stakes and Glorious Goodwood's Stewards' Cup. The six furlong race was first run in 2022 and sees plenty of usual suspects line up on the Knavesmire. The inaugural running would be won by Commanche Gold who had earlier won the Stewards' Cup that year. Twelve months ago the race saw a dramatic dead-heat between the popular veteran Summerghand and the fast finishing Albasheer. 

The top weight would go to 2022's winner Commanche Falls, who was a big improver last year and won at Group level, but he has struggled this season and made a return to handicap company for the first time in two years. Apollo One has played the bridesmaid in many big sprinting handicaps, including the Wokingham and Stewards' Cup this summer and this race would be a good one to break the hoodoo. One half of last year's dual winners Albasheer returned to York for trainer Paul Midgley. He would pick up a valuable handicap at Newcastle before showing a liking to Ascot where he won on penultimate start. The formerly Irish-trained Coachello ran to a useful level on the artificial surfaces, but this summer hasn't been in the same form. A move to the Mark Loughnane stable has yet to inspire improvement. The Godolphin-owned Cover Up bolted up in a pair of all-weather handicaps for the Gosdens, but since returning to the turf he has been comfortably held in big handicaps. This would be no easier. Adrian Keatley's Ballymount Bay was a Group level horse last season and landed a listed race at the end of the season. This year, the three year old has been hard to place and would make just his second handicap start on the back of a gelding operation. The Clive Cox-trained Harry Three won a big handicap here in 2022 before missing last year. He was a smart sort at his best and has seemingly getting more race fit with each this year. Mick Appleby's grey Billyjoh has been a likable and versatile handicapper and the four year old has been seen making strong late headway into the placings at venues like Ascot and Goodwood. Richard Fahey's Dare To Hope has found his form this year and made it two wins for the year last time out by winning Ripon's highlight of the year, the Great St. Wilfrid Handicap just a week ago. His stablemate Strike Red is an equally smart handicapper and added last year's Scurry Handicap to his CV. Last time out, he caught the eye when sixth in the Stewards' Cup three weeks ago. Kevin Ryan's Jehangeer is bred to be smart and placed in listed company last season. After a smooth victory at Thirsk, he then disappointed last time over a furlong longer. Dark Thirty is a former winner at York after his success over seven furlongs last year. After a bright start to this season, Richard Hannon's gelding has finished tailed off in high quality handicaps this summer. The second of last year's joint-winners Summerghand was also back to defend his half of the crown for the David O'Meara stable. He bounced back to form with a fourth at Ripon last week. At the other end of the experience scale, the three year old Elmonjed has been progressive for the William Haggas stable. After winning both starts as a two-year-old, he would run well in defeat before landing a nice contest at Windsor last time out. The Richard Spencer-trained Two Tribes was a consistent two-year-old last year and his highlights this year have been a pair of placed efforts in Newmarket handicaps. This would be his first try at York though. The four year old Rhythm N Hooves is a Royal Ascot winner of the past, but after winning as recently as May, his form has an uneven look to it. The third Richard Fahey runner would  be Admiral D, who developed into a useful sprinter on the all-weather during the winter and after break from the action through the spring, he ran with credit back on turf  last time. The Irish challenger Reinforce would be an interesting runner for Katy Brown. The chestnut has found form recently with a pair of wins in his homeland before producing a strong finish into second at Haydock a week ago. The final runner would be the veteran of Roger Fell and Sean Murray's yard, Oso Rapido. The seven year old is a former winner at York, but at a lower level. He was in action as recently as three days ago at a much quieter Carlisle. 

Winner: ELMONJED (#14) (Blue Point x Naafer) - T. Marquand - W. Haggas

Once the dust had settled from the Ebor, the action continued with this very tricky handicap over six furlongs. The gates would crash open and Apollo One had perfect reactions to get away quickly under Richard Kingscote. As expected, the field split into two groups for the first half of the race. The far side bunch would be headed last week's winner Dare To Hope and he would be joined by stablemate Strike Red. The likes of Elmonjed, Commanche Falls and keen going Jehangeer were all close to the pace while in the central group, the fast starting Apollo One brought his side along. Dark Thirty, Admiral D and Oso Rapido would be also at the head of the bunch as the race began to heat up. The two groups merged into one approaching two furlongs out, which briefly caused trouble in running for a few. Commanche Falls would continue to give a bold sight under his big weight as Elmonjed finally saw an opening. He would quicken up well under a bruised Tom Marquand and took up a slender advantage. Strike Red would keep on in a spirited chase while Commanche Falls was another to escape the hole he found himself in. Approaching the line, Elmonjed had done enough to continue his progression and win once again. Strike Red backed up the claims he was returning to form with a good second while 2022's winner Commanche Falls settled for third this year. Two Tribes and Cover Up would suffer from continued interference, but still finished strongly into fourth and fifth placings.

It would be a fourth win in seven starts for the upwardly mobile Elmonjed, a three year old gelding who will be verging on Group class now. The William Haggas-trained winner began this year unbeaten after two novice race wins this time last year. He tasted defeat at the Dante Festival here back in May, but that would come over seven furlongs. The drop back to six furlongs has been the making of the gelding. A third in the ultra-competitive three-year-old handicap sprint would be followed by another bronze medal at Windsor, this time against older horses.  He would return to Windsor on his latest start for the final of their Sprint Series and in a big field, he would get up close home to win. The natural step would now to dip his hoof into Group company and the distant relative to Group One winner Ertijaal should be up to the test. 

Race Six: The Julia Graves Roses Stakes - Listed Race - 2-Y-O Only - Five Furlongs - Runners: 16

Next up on the card would be a test for the speediest juveniles in training as the listed Roses Stakes is usually well fought over. The contest is often a "blink and you'll miss it" event with plenty of speedballs racing on the straight, flat course. The race would be first run in 1988 and plenty of local yards have picked up this prize over the years. The two most high profile winners of the race would be Captain Gerrard in 2007 and Hot Streak in 2013. Both horses would go on to win at Group level during the rest of their careers. Last year, the race saw Inquisitively break his maiden in good style in this race before adding the Group Three Cornwallis Stakes to his collection.

This year's line up of rapid juveniles would be headed by the Ed Walker-trained Ardennes. The gelding got the better of a more experienced rival to win on his second start and was last seen finishing a decent fourth in a nursery handicap over six furlongs. He would rise in grade but drop in trip. Kevin Ryan's Beauty Queen was strong at the finish over five furlongs at Beverley and beat a useful yardstick on debut, but she failed to stay the extra furlong in a novice contest here in July. She would return to the minimum trip here. Binadham was a rare debut two year old winner for the Kevin Phillippart de Foy stable but remained at a high standard when sixth in the Norfolk Stakes on his next start. He would be unable to land a blow in the Molecomb at Goodwood last time. Michael Bell's filly Blue Zodiac showed plenty of speed on debut, but after a change of tactics she got off the mark on his second start at Yarmouth. She then fluffed the start at Glorious Goodwood, but did well to return in third. The Adrian Keatley-trained Do It Now used the promise of his previous runs to win impressively at Ripon on third start before running well to be fifth in the Super Sprint. He would "hit a wall" over six furlongs and weakened quickly at Glorious Goodwood last time. Declan Carroll's Fuji Mountain made his debut here in May and has been highly tried already this season with down the field finishes at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood. He would win in nice style to break his maiden however. Karl Burke's King Of Light showed promise in early season novices, including once at York in May. After a short break off the track, he would return successful at Musselburgh and was evidently well regarded. The John Ryan-trained La Bellota lined up in this contest as a maiden, but bumped into the useful Andrestia on debut before getting caught late on by the reopposing King Of Light. Ireland have seen success in this race in recent years and leading trainer Ger Lyons would send over Magnum Force for this year's renewal. The colt dropped back to five furlongs on his second start and he would be strong at the finish to win decisively. Another Irish based trainer would be Diego Dias, whose Make Haste made a taking debut success and was fancied to run a big race at Royal Ascot by many. Those expectations weren't lived up to, but she got back on track with a second last time. The Mick Appleby yard would saddle Mr Lightside, who build on his racecourse debut to win two novice events. He would then join his stablemate Big Mojo in a first and third finish for the stable in the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood. Another from the Karl Burke stable would be River Seine, who possesses plenty of speed and after hitting the post a few times, got her first win at Pontefract. She would then run well in a listed race a week ago when a close up fourth. Another Irish yard represented in this race would be David Marnane with Sir Yoshi. The colt scored on his third career start before finishing just out of the placings in the Windsor Castle Stakes. He would then produce solid runs in Graded company last time. Richard Spencer's The Man made a good start to his racing career with a smooth victory in an early season novice at Southwell, but he has since been outclassed in races at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood. The Andrew Balding-trained Tropical Storm would also remain a maiden, but can be rated as one of the best maidens in training following his second in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. He then failed to stay an extra furlong in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood last month. Vingegaard would line up in this contest for Archie Watson on the back of some solid runs in good company. After a nice debut win, he then finished in the frame at Royal Ascot before getting caught close home in the Super Sprint. He would then produce a below par run at Goodwood, but had the potential to bounce back.

Winner: TROPICAL STORM (#11) (Eqtidaar x Avon Breeze) - O. Murphy - A. Balding

The juvenile contest would get underway and the Irish-trained filly Make Haste would rear in the stalls and lose ground on her rivals. She would race detached from the rest of the field, which was headed by the maiden La Bellota and speedy pair of River Seine and Tropical Storm. River Seine would also race prominently along with King Of Light and Do It Now as the well fancied pair of Mr Lightside and Magnum Force would be held up during the opening stages. Some of these inexperienced youngsters began to feel the pressure and one by one, horses would weaken out of contention. Approaching the final furlong pole, Oisin Murphy kicked for home on Tropical Storm and his mount responded with a sharp change of pace to go clear. The race would appear to be sealed, but one last challenger emerged. Magnum Force came flying home from out of the pack to chase Tropical Storm inside the final few yards, but the line came just soon for the Irish horse and Tropical Storm held on by a neck. Another Irish runner would complete the podium positions as Sir Yoshi also finished well into third, just ahead of Mr Lightside. 

It would be a first win of Tropical Storm's career and one that had been coming for a while. Andrew Balding's speedster made his debut early in the season at Newbury in April where he showed promise in fifth. He then improved for his debut by finishing second at Newmarket, showing plenty of speed until getting headed close home. He then stepped up to Royal Ascot for the Group Two Norfolk Stakes where he was viewed as a contender in the betting. Once again, he would show plenty of speed and only found Shareholder too strong, finishing a very good second. On his latest start, things didn't work out as well. Racing over six furlongs for the first time in the Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, he raced keenly before finding the extra furlong too far and weakening away. A return to this speed favouring test was always going to suit and the son of Eqtidaar was able to match the achievement of his half brother Purosangue by winning a listed race at York. It would also cap off a great meeting for Andrew Balding, who saddled three winners this week. 

Race Seven: The Sky Bet Finale Heritage Handicap - Class Two - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 17

The twenty-eighth and final race of the 2024 Ebor Festival would be the Sky Bet-sponsored Finale Handicap. Starting from the ten furlong point just like the feature Juddmonte International, the class two contest is often seen as a very hard puzzle to solve.
In recent times, the race has been held under the firm grip of Newmarket trainers with the likes of bin Suroor, Haggas, Gosden and Horton all training the winner. Last year, it would be one for Lambourn as Astro King avenged his narrow John Smith's Cup defeat in impressive style here and then went on to win the Cambridgeshire Handicap on his next start. 

The popular Sir Busker would head the racecard, but his finest moments have come at York in the past. The eight year old ran a great race to finish fourth at Glorious Goodwood last time out. Andrew Balding's Teumessias Fox carried the King Power silks with Oisin Murphy onboard and the five year old has a bit of a patchy record, but produced a better run last time out at Windsor just over a week ago. The Ed Bethell-trained Oviedo chased home Astro King in this race last year before finishing in the frame in the Cambridgeshire, but his two runs this year have been a little quieter. The once smart Chichester is entering the veteran stage of his career and is now trained by Lucinda Russell. The seven year old is a former winner at the course but has suffered heavy defeats this season. Paradias won over hurdles during the winter and also ran a great race at last year's Ebor Festival. Alan King's five year old made a return to York on the back of a hard fought success at Glorious Goodwood. The second runner for William Knight would be Dual Identity for the same ownership as Sir Busker. The six year old loves Sandown as his most recent victory came there, but has run well elsewhere recently, suffering traffic issues. The likable Ron O has enjoyed a great season for trainer Ray Craggs having won here over ten furlongs and placing over a mile and a mile and a half this season and returned to this more suitable trip. The Charlie Johnston-trained Killybegs Warrior produced one of his better efforts in this race last season, but he remains hard to predict. He would show a little more promise at Windsor last week. Marhaba The Champ looked to be one to follow last year after winning a pair of races at York last year, including at the Ebor Festival. In two runs this year, he has been very disappointing and has undergone wind surgery. Harry Eustace would saddle Chasing Aphrodite, who was a useful miler a few years ago and has only recently taken the step up to ten furlongs. After winning at Sandown in July, his stamina would be stretched over an even longer trip last time out. Last year's winning stable would be represented by Andaleep, who has a string of seconds to his name recently. The eight year old is more exposed than last year's winner but remains in good form. Karl Burke's Bystander has shown flashes of talent, mostly on the all weather with a trio of wins. The four year old has also run well on turf in recent starts too. The Richard Fahey-trained Have Secret finished placed at two festivals last season. The gelding has run well in all three starts this year, including a handicap over course and distance back in June. The Jack Channon-trained Rathgar was campaigned as a stayer in recent times and performed well at times, including a win over nearly two miles. He has suddenly reverted to the much sharper ten furlongs but has lost none of his form. He bravely held on to beat Andaleep on penultimate start before going close last time out. The Ruth Carr-trained Lord Protector hasn't shown much form recently, but remains classy enough to run at this level. His runner up spot at Redcar in May suggested he is still capable. The nine year Cockalorum still remains in good form despite the age of nine. Roger Fell and Sean Murray's stalwart won at Ripon two months ago and went close in an amateur rider's contest here recently. The final field of the 2024 Ebor Festival would be completed by Nigel Tinkler's Theme Park. The four year old has tried a range of distances this year and scored an overdue win here last month over a mile. He would be slow from the gates last time and moved back up to ten furlongs, a trip he has yet to convince with.

Winner: SIR BUSKER (#1) (Sir Prancealot x Street Kitty) - B. Wilkie - W. Knight

The twenty-eighth and final race of the Ebor Festival of 2024 would get underway under a warm sunlight. The pace would be set by Chasing Aphrodite in the opening stages, but the gallop would be no more than an ordinary one. He would be joined by Rathgar and the veteran Cockalorum on the inside. Towards the rear, the experienced Andaleep would anticipate the start but got his timing all wrong and lose ground at the start. Lord Protector would be another to be slowly away and they would bring up the rear along with Chichester, Bystander and Oviedo. The pack would make their way into the home straight and opted to stick in the centre. As the group began to fan out, it would lead to small traffic issues for some of the runners. Rathgar would be impeded as the pace ramped up, as were the pair of Dual Identity, Sir Busker and Ron O. Harry Eustace's Chasing Aphrodite was still there to be aimed at in front and Sir Busker had finally gotten into the open. The veteran would quicken nicely under Brandon Wilkie and was joined by his stablemate Dual Identity. They would overtake Chasing Aphrodite in unison before fighting it out between themselves for the win. Dual Identity had a handful of lengths to make up inside the final furlong, but he could only get to within a length of Sir Busker as the popular eight year old led home a dream one-two for owners Kennet Valley Syndicates. Chasing Aphrodite would provide some relief for the Harry Eustace yard on a very difficult day for them and another veteran Cockalorum would take fourth at the finish. 

It would be a great training performance by William Knight to keep SIr Busker fit and healthy and still able to win at his age. A very talented handicapper, he would land the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot during the Covid era of 2020 before returning to the course to finish fourth in the Group One QEII Stakes and third in a Queen Anne over a mile. Mixing handicaps with Group races, the son of Sir Prancealot was last successful in July 2022. On that day he would cause a surprise in the York Stakes, a Group Two contest over course and distance which would set him up to place third in the Juddmonte International on his next start. Remaining a quality type and overcoming a nasty accident which almost caused him to lose an eye, it was heartwarming to see this old warrior return to the winner's enclosure.