Race One: The Sky Bet Lowther Stakes - Group Two - 2-Y-O only - Six Furlongs - Runners: 9

This leading juvenile fillies' contest is often seen as one of the season's biggest races and it often sees winners from Royal Ascot, Newmarket and Goodwood compete against each other on the Knavesmire. 
The six furlong contest has an illustrious history of winners since the first running back in 1946. Star names to have won the Lowther over the decades include Al Bahathri, Cape Verdi, Harayir and Russian Rhythm; who all won the 1,000 Guineas, as well as precocious speedballs such as Queen's Logic, Tiggy Wiggy and Carry On Katie. Last year, the dimiutive Relief Rally got up close home in a dramatic finish to win for trainer William Haggas to win her fifth race from six starts that year.

The class of 2024 would have plenty to live up to, but the talent on the racecard was plentiful. Karl Burke's Leovanni showed a lot of speed to win on debut at Nottingham before landing the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot on latest start where she looked a class apart in the Group Two contest. She would carry a penalty for that success however. Eve Johnson Houghton's Betty Clover has already tasted big race success at York already this year by winning the Marygate Stakes in May. After a midfield finish at Royal Ascot, she stepped up in trip here. Ed Walker's Celandine showed the benefit of her debut when winning on second start and improved further to win a listed race at Newmarket. She would then post a career best against colts when third in the Prix Robert Papin. Aidan O'Brien only runner in the race would be Heaven's Gate, who won on second start before getting caught late on at Ascot and then again at Newmarket. She would go on to win a valuable sales race recently where she stamped her class on the field. Karl Burke's Miss Lamai would finish second to Betty Clover here in May before finishing in the frame behind Leovanni in the Queen Mary. On her most recent start, she made a successful trip to Ireland by landing a listed contest. Brian Ellison's Perfect Part caused a huge shock with a debut win in the Hilary Needler at odds of 125-1, but instead of progressing, she has tasted defeat in novice company and this would be a big leap in class. Ralph Beckett's Tale Of The Heart showed nice acceleration to win on debut at Kempton and stepped up to finish second in a listed race behind Celandine. She put a lesser effort behind her when third at Ascot which was arguably a career best. Harry Eustace's stable aren't renowned for debut juvenile winners, but Time For Sandals would defy that stat with a classy performance on debut. She lost her 100% record in the valuable Super Sprint, but was headed close home in that race.  The final runner would represent the Karl Burke and Clipper Logistics partnership as Unspoken Love took her place here. The speedily bred filly had been progressing nicely and wasn't disgraced when fourth in a French listed race last time out. 

Winner: CELANDINE (#3) (Kingman x Pepita) - T. Marquand - E. Walker
The underfoot ground conditions remained lightning quick after a day of course records, but this time the gusty wind had changed course and was now a headwind, making it a little more difficult for those at the front of the pack. 
Day two of the Ebor Festival would get underway to a good break and from the outset, the battle hardened Celandine and Tales From The Heart would set the early fractions at an even gallop. Heavens Gate would be close up next to her market rival Leovanni as the field ticked off the first few furlongs and the keen going Miss Lamai would also be prominent. Towards the rear, the brown silks of Perfect Part would bring up the rear, but was no more than four lengths behind the leader in a well bunched group. Approaching the final two furlongs, the race began to heat up. Celandine had so far held onto her narrow lead until this point but the Tabor silks of Heavens Gate moved up strongly to challenge. Leovanni was also beginning to unwind on the near side rail and the main protagonists would be in contention. Celandine would keep on responding for pressure from Tom Marquand and stuck her neck out as Leovanni kept on having conceded first run. On the outside of the group, Time For Sandals began to rattle home too and served it up to Celandine in the final stages. It would be Ed Walker's filly Celandine who just held on from Time For Sandals in a great finish to the opener. Leovanni would run well, but the extra weight caused her to lose her unbeaten record. Heavens Gate would weaken in a close up fourth, but ran another solid race in Group company.

The winner Celandine would provide Tom Marquand with back to back winners in the Lowther Stakes having won on a similar type Relief Rally last year. The daughter of Kingman has a compact build which is key for a sprinter and she had shown very smart form prior to her biggest win yet. She would show greenness on debut at Goodwood when only seventh, but quickly improved to win next time out at Windsor in nice style. Next up would be the listed Empress Stakes at Newmarket where once again she made all the running to defeat Tales From The Heart and gain black type for her broodmare page. A trip to France would be on the cards as she took part in the Group Two Prix Robert Papin against the colts. There she would run with credit to finish third, beaten only a length. On her last start, she dropped to five furlongs at the downhill Goodwood track for the Molecomb Stakes and she would be slightly outpaced that day to finish fourth. A return to six furlongs would see her bounce back to winning ways here and land a third career win. She looks like a typical two-year-old, so the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes looks to be the main aim in the future. Her owners have enjoyed success with fillies such as Snow Lantern and Sky Lantern, so Celandine looks set to join their hall of fame.

Race Two: The Harry's Half Million By Goffs Yearling Stakes - Class Two - 2-Y-O only - Six Furlongs - Runners: 20

The action would remain with the juveniles, but this time a special conditions race over six furlongs. All the runners entered passed through the Goffs UK sales ring at Doncaster as yearlings last year and were therefore eligible to compete in this race for a potential race winning prize money bonus. 
The increase in prize money has seen a much more competitive event in recent years, but the likes of Dark Angel, Wootton Bassett and Shouldvebeenaring have all won this race before developing into Group One performers. The 2023 renewal saw a traditionally big field and the unbeaten at the time Dragon Leader win in good style.

Adrian Murray's Arizona Blaze gained the honours of becoming the first juvenile winner on turf when looking professional at The Curragh back in March. He has since run to a high standard which includes a Group Three win and third in the Group One Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh. The Kevin Ryan stable suffered a narrow defeat in this contest in 2022 and relied on plenty of chances here. Their first runner would be Against The WInd, who took a while to find his feet but was a fairly smart winner of a good looking novice on the all-weather. The Newmarket challenger Rock Hunter has enjoyed a trip to France for the Amy Murphy stable by won on debut over there in April. He would then compete in useful contests and lose little in defeat. Richard Hannon's yard has won plenty of recent runnings of this race and was aiming to replicate 2022's success for owners Middleham Park Racing with An Outlaw's Grace. The colt was given bright reports before his debut and duly delivered impressively. He then stepped into Group Two company where he has finished in the minor placings. The combination of Kevin Ryan and Hambleton Racing went close in this race two years ago with Washington Heights and were represented this year with American Style. After making a low key debut at the Dante meeting, he has since finished second on all four subsequent starts.  Adrian Keatley's stable have been on a sharp incline of success recently and would saddle Bear Kode, who stepped up to win second time out on the all-weather, but looked promising. Bueno Nacho was initially owned by Amo Racing and is decently bred. Despite a fairly promising third on debut, he has moved to the Paul Attwater stable in an interesting move. Karl Burke has enjoyed plenty of success with Looking For Lynda in the past two seasons and his full brother Cracking Man was hoping to add to the family success. The colt's best effort would be second over five furlongs. Clive Cox saddled an impressive winner of this race last year and would be represented this year by the more exposed Diligently, who has yet to go on from a promising debut. Ismail Mohammed's Fear And Fast had looked limited until recently when he stayed on well into fourth at Beverley a week ago. The Tom Dascombe stable won this contest with the tough Ever Given back in 2021 and would saddle High On Hope this year. The gelding showed promise in defeat earlier in the season, but was disappointing on his most recent start. Jorge Alvares was gelded before his debut but has run well in all three starts this year. Kevin Ryan's runner would be just denied at Hamiton on latest start. Richard Spencer is a trainer who isn't afraid of aiming high with maidens and he would enter Midnight City on the back of a debut fifth recently. The colt looked green at Newmarket, but kept on nicely. Another for the Middleham Park Racing owners would be Our Mighty Mo, trained by Karl Burke. So far to date, the colt has blown hot and cold in three starts. The Dylan Cunha stable enjoyed one of their biggest moments last year with a win at this meeting and would return with a chance in this race. Sensorium finished third in two novices which sandwiched a trip to Royal Ascot, but the gelding made no mistake with an easy win at Brighton last time out. One for the Kevin Ryan and Hambleton Racing combination would be Territorial Knight, who has improved with each run since his debut at York and would win for the first time in good style at Pontefract last time. The second Hugo Palmer runner Connie's Way showed a hint of promise on debut when third at Hamilton, but would be another better suited to calmer waters. Andrew Balding's filly Ghost Run narrowly scored for the first time at Newbury before going on to finish just outside the top three in a Newmarket nursery back in July. Richard Newland and Jamie Insole's Graduated passed her test by winning for the first time just six days ago, but this would be a tough race for a quick turnaround. The vastly improving stable of Jack Jones would saddle Up The Anti, who finished fourth on her debut recently.

Winner: DILIGENTLY (#9) (Harry Angel x Anna Of Lorraine) - R. Ryan - C. Cox

Despite the absence of the well fancied Maw Lam and the quirky Misty Sky, the field remained just as competitive as advertised. The cavalry charge would get underway with the nosebanded Against The Wind holding a slender lead over the chasing pack. There would be a wall of horses contesting the lead in the early stages including the hot favourite Arizona Blaze, Sensorium, Ghost Run and American Style to name a few. Approaching the final furlong, it was still anyone's guess of who was going to win as the maiden Bueno Noche looked threatening on the wide outside before finding nothing off the bridle. On the other flank, Jorge Alvares had raced practically solo on the near side rail, but still travelled well into contention. In the middle of the track, the dark grey Sensorium put it up to Arizona Blaze inside the final fifty yards, but the purple cap of Diligently rallied gamely to get up close home under Rossa Ryan, breaking hearts of favourite backers who thought they were about to collect their winnings. Sensorium would run a great race in third and Jorge Alvares did well in the circumstances to come home fourth. 

It would be back to back wins in the race for trainer Clive Cox, who had a more obvious winner last year with the unbeaten Dragon Leader. His colt Diligently cost plenty at the Goffs Sales where he was the joint most expensive purchase in the field at £100,000. The clues would be there in his pedigree as the colt is a distant relative to high class seven furlong horse and Group One winning miler Audience. To date, Diligently's career had seen some ups and downs but he was quite highly regarded ahead of his debut, which would come in an early season conditions race at Ascot. He would then compete in novice events which were won by some smart horses, but a switch to handicaps failed to see any progress. He would be hampered at a crucial point over five furlongs at Sandown and was unable to recover in time. Diligently has more than paid his way now with this big pay day for connections and Clive Cox will now be undoubtedly looking for one to run in next year's renewal. 

Race Three: The Clipper Heritage Handicap - Class Two - One Mile - Runners: 19

The first of the ultra competitive handicaps of the week would take place over the mile with a full field of twenty lining up for this £78,000 prize. York constantly maintains its status as one of the most trickiest courses to find winners on as races of this nature can be run ten times consecutively and produce a different winner each time.

Local stables have a good record in this race with David O'Meara winning two of the most recent runnings with Firmanent and Blue For You, while the smart Montatham won for the William Haggas stable four years ago. Twelve months ago, there would be another win for a Newmarket based yard as the much loved Ropey Guest battled gamely to win for George Margarson on a rare away day from Ascot which prompted great scenes in the winner's enclosure.

This year's renewal would see top weight carried by Charlie Johnston's Dear My Friend, who picked up a trio of valuable contests on the all-weather at the start of the year, but his best effort on turf would be third to in a listed race. Karl Burke's Holloway Boy was a memorable debut winner at Royal Ascot two years ago and has remained at a high level since, without further success. He has hit the crossbar in numerous big handicaps this season. The exciting and progressive four year old Elnajmm lined up for the William Haggas stable with two handicap wins this year. The most recent of them coming at Ascot at this level. La Trinidad has a good record at York and has regained his form this year. Roger Fell and Sean Murray's seven year old was delivered late to win at Thirsk and looked full of confidence. Just like Noah's Arc, David O'Meara's runners came in groups.  Blue For You landed this race two years ago and is a regular on the Knavesmire. He improved his York record with another win back in July.  Bopedro has been a stalwart in these kind of races, but should have more wins than his actual tally suggests and he produced another strong finish in a big handicap when fifth in Goodwood's Golden Mile. The Jack Channon-trained runner would be Metal Merchant, who has turned into a useful handicapper recently. After winning on first start this season, he has run well in strong contests.  The next David O'Meara runner would be Mirsky, who caught the eye on British debut with a fifth place at Thirsk, but the former French-trained gelding has struggled in a pair of competitive handicaps since. The Kevin Ryan-trained Catch The Paddy has a handful of good runs at York, but has become unpredictable in recent times. His second at Newcastle stands out amongst a series of zeroes in his form. Ed Bethell's grey James McHenry won for the third time in his career back in April. He has since improved to finish second twice at this level recently, including in the final strides to La Trinidad at Thirsk. The next wave of David O'Meara-trained runners would come next. Theoryofeverything is still yet to add to his sole succes, but has been running in plenty of good contests during his career. New Image has been filling the placings in his last four starts and flew home for fourth here back in June. He was in recent winning action when just lasting home in a handicap at the Shergar Cup meeting. Pisanello relished the softer ground to get up close home at York in June and backed it up with solid placed efforts on his next two starts. He would be one of many to end up stuck in the pack at Glorious Goodwood last time. Mr King looks to be an interesting new arrival for the Iain Jardine stable and made his British debut in this hot race. The four year old was successful on his latest start and was a reliable sort in Ireland.  Richard Fahey's Stone Soldier showed promise when fading into fourth over seven furlongs here last time, but on his next intended start he unseated his rider at the stalls and ran the race loose.  Another three year old in the field would be Andrew Balding's Aragon Castle, who was a beaten favourite at this meeting last year. He has won over slightly further recently and dropped back to the traditional mile here. It has felt like a long time since Cruyff Turn won this race back in 2021 and he has become an unpredictable sort for the Tim Easterby yard. Austrian Theory joined the Tim Easterby yard at the start of the season and posted a handful of good efforts earlier in the season and has won at this level in the past. The sixth and final runner for David O'Meara would be the formerly French trained Bennetot, who was heading towards a useful standard in his home country, but since moving to Britain, he has struggled mostly in competitive handicaps. The lightly raced Thunder Run represented Karl Burke in this contest and the three-year-old has quickly made into a smart since his debut in June. He has landed two novices already and lost little in defeat in a good handicap at Thirsk. 

Winner: THUNDER RUN (#15) (Night Of Thunder x Astonished) - D. Egan - K. Burke

The key to a good result in these strong York handicaps is to have a prominent position, so most of the jockeys were keen to bag a good spot within the opening stages. The grey silks of Thunder Run took advantage of his low draw to bag the running rail and the lead under David Egan as many of his rivals tracked across. Elnajjm and Aragorn Castle both did well to minimise the damage of their wide gates and were soon up with the pace. It wouldn't be as comfortable for the likes of Dear My Friend and Cruyff Turn who had to race on the outer of the group and travel more yards. Like a swarm of bees, the field began to count off the furlong poles one by one and the race began to heat up. Thunder Run was still there to be aimed at as Mirsky moved alongside him with a threatening move. On the far side rail, Holloway Bay would be another danger but the leader bravely kept finding for pressure. He would be challenged on all sides as the grey James McHenry also arrived on the scene, but it would be the most unexposed horse in the line up who just held on by half a length. Mirsky finished best of the O'Meara six by finishing second and Holloway Boy would finish in the frame in another big handicap. James McHenry just held fourth ahead of the staying on Bennetot.

It would be an important win for the owners Clipper Logistics, a Leeds based company who have sponsored this race since 2018 and they would be winning it for the first time. Thunder Run's progress has been remarkable as he only made his debut in mid June and is now a high class handicap winner just two months later. After finishing third at Wetherby, he then romped home in front of a well regarded previous winner at Thirsk on his next start before making it consecutive wins at Hamilton in easy fashion. His first big test would come in the Summer Cup Handicap back at Thirsk where he raced keenly and was collared close home by two stronger finishers. The son of Night Of Thunder comes from a useful family and did it the hard way to make every yard of the running as a three year old taking on much more experienced horses. A trip to Ascot for the Champions Day meeting looks on the cards and the chestnut has Group race potential next year. 

Race Four: The Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks - Group One - One Mile, Four Furlongs - Runners: 8

The highlight of the day would see the very best filly and mares in training do battle on the Knavesmire in the prestigious Yorkshire Oaks over a mile and a half. The roll of honour in this race reads as a "who's who" of former champions as former winners include Sun Princess and Diminuendo in the 1980's, User Friendly and dual winner Only Royale in the 90's as well as Islington and Dar Re Mi in the 2000's. In recent times, the exceptional Enable won this race twice in 2017 and 2019 for John Gosden while Snowfall and Alpinista have both been outstanding winners. Last year, the race saw a titanic tussle as Aidan O'Brien's Warm Heart dug deep to deny the Gosden-trained Free Wind in an excellent race. 

The race would be opened up greatly at declaration stage as leading fancy Bluestocking opted for the prestigious Juddmonte International twenty-four hours earlier. It would leave a large hole in the race, but still provided a fascinating clash of generations, the three year olds versus their elders. The five year old Emily Upjohn is a previous Musidora Stakes winner at York, but has shown remarkable longevity in her career. John and Thady Gosden's mare is a dual Group One winner including a Coronation Cup. The Hughie Morrison-trained Mistral Star is beautifully bred and is another to promise improvement with time and patience. She would be an unlucky third at a lower level last time out. The improving Queen Of The Pride has started to deliver on her promise and John and Thady Gosden's late bloomer won at Group Three level on just her fourth start. The William Haggas-trained Sea Theme won the listed race that follows the Yorkshire Oaks and took her chance in the big race this year. The four year old was a wide margin winner in France last time out.  The sole Yorkshire runner would be David O'Meara's Lava Stream, who has improved massively as a three year old. A wide margin handicap win on reappearance was followed by a listed race win, but she travelled powerfully at Royal Ascot where she was beaten a neck in a driving finish. She would be joined by other high class three year olds, the first of them being Aidan O'Brien's Content. The daughter of Galileo has improved for a step up in trip and finished just behind You Got To Me in the Irish Oaks on her last two starts. Port Fairy emerged from the shadows and into the spotlight by landing the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, but would be very disappointing in the Irish Oaks. The final runner would be Ralph Beckett's You Got To Me, who announced herself on stage by winning the Lingfield Oaks Trial before returning to winning ways with a last gasp success in the Irish Oaks.

Winner: CONTENT (#5) (Galileo x Mecca's Angel) - R. Moore - A. O'Brien

The question regarding the early pace would soon be answered in the opening stages as Royal Ascot winner Port Fairy strode on in front under Wayne Lordan. Sea Theme would challenge her up front for the first half of the race as Mistral Star, Queen Of The Pride and Lava Stream were all held up. The gallop would be an average one and Content would race keenly as the field passed the trees at the far end of the course. Halfway down the home straight, the contenders began to emerge. The eye was drawn to Emily Upjohn who travelled powerfully under Kieren Shoemark and Mistral Star who also began to make headway. On the far side, Content chose to race with almost solo under Ryan Moore and looked to be under pressure at the two furlong pole. You Got To Me would be another to cruise into contention and the race would soon revolve around these three horses. As Emily Upjohn breezed into a narrow lead, it would be a test of her resolve and when push came to shove, she didn't find as much as expected. Ryan Moore was hard at work on Content, but his filly kept responding and despite running by herself, she managed to take the lead as You Got To Me made her move. Ryan Moore needed to be at his strongest with Content, but the pair crossed the line three parts of a length to the good and landed another Group race of the week for Aidan O'Brien. Irish Oaks winner You Got To Me had to settle for second and Emily Upjohn returned in third. 

The three year old Content may not have a flashy unbeaten record or had a handful of races, but she is a trier. After winning a Group Three contest as a juvenile last year, she then went on to finish fourth at the Breeders Cup meeting last autumn. This year, she began life with a pair of eighth placings in the French 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, but produced her best effort when second in the Irish Oaks on her first try at twelve furlongs. She would go on to reverse the form with You Got To Me and land a Group One on her twelfth start. Her breeding is high class as to be expected for the Ballydoyle battalion. Her dam Mecca's Angel memorably won two Nunthorpe Stakes at the Ebor Festival over five furlongs, but the stamina reserves come from her sire, the late great Galileo. This win would also secure the landmark of Galileo's 100th individual Group One winner. An achievement matched by very few.

Race Five: The British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Fillies' Stakes - Listed Race - One Mile, Four Furlongs - Runners: 9

Following the aftermath of the preceding Yorkshire Oaks, this listed race is often considered a miniature version of the feature race. Ran over twelve furlongs, the race is equally as important for a potential career at stud and has been won in the past by high class horses. In 2018, John Gosden's Lah Ti Dah bolted up here before finishing a close second in the St Leger on next start while a year later, the Dermot Weld-trained Search For A Song progressed from a win here to land back to back Irish St Leger's. Last year, the race would see an improving and lightly raced sort Sea Theme land the odds for Yorkshire born trainer William Haggas.

The four year old Climate Friendly has some useful form at listed level, including in this race last year where she went into a clear lead and held on for fourth. She has been seen just once so far this season where she looked in need of the run at Newmarket. The Rae Guest stable is just yards from James Owens's in Newmarket and he would also saddle a runner in this contest. Divina Grace landed a pair of handicaps at the end of last year and has gradually improved with each run this season. She would gain a first listed race at Newmarket on her most recent start. The Yorkshire-trained Dora Milaje has been a smart sort this year by graduating to this level where she has played bit parts. She would remain at this level, but attempted twelve furlongs for the first time. Ralph Beckett has enjoyed a vintage year with his fillies and would be represented by Esmeray, a four year old with a good strike rate and rose through the handicaps but found a listed race too much last time out. Karl Burke's Karmology is another with a good win to start ratio and bravely held on to win a handicap here earlier in the season. She then improved further to chase home an impressive winner over ten furlongs in a listed race at the previous meeting. The potential improver in the field could be the well bred Nakheel from the Owen Burrows stable. She would be a narrow winner of a novice contest, but has since finished on the premises in listed company. An exciting prospect would come from the James Owen stable as Noisy Jazz made a surprise winning debut at Newmarket recently, but is a half sister to Ascot Gold Cup winner Big Orange. The Jessie Harrington stable have won this race in the past and Satin would be their hope for finding some black type. The four year old has won three times, but would make her first start in listed company. The Ed Walker-trained Scenic was an also-ran in this race last year, but has a string of placings at this level. She would hold just the one win to date, an easy novice race at the start of the year.

Winner: SCENIC (#7) (Lope de Vega x Ghalwah) - O. Murphy - E. Walker

The open looking contest got away to a decent break and the group would follow the hoof prints of the preceding Yorkshire Oaks. The early lead would go to the relatively inexperienced and keen going Noisy Jazz, who fought against rider Silvestre de Sousa for total control.  Her stablemate Climate Friendly opted to go it alone out wider from the group but would race in close proximity to the leaders. The pace would be no more than a sensible one as Karmology would be another to over-race. There would be little change in the order until halfway down the home straight. Divina Grace took over the lead from the weakening Noisy Jazz and Karmology would also pull her way into contention. The light blue silks worn by Oisin Murphy were spotted motionless in the saddle of Scenic and the pair sliced through the pack to emerge on the scene travelling strongly. It would be a case of all bets are off as Murphy released the handbrake and his filly breezed clear in the final stages to win by just under four lengths. The only race now would be the one for second as Karmology began to tire, Nakheel kept on well and took third, splitting Karmology and Divina Grace.

It would be a stylish way to win for just the second time for Scenic, who had plenty of smart form in the book at this level.  Ed Walker's four year old finished third in the listed Lyric Stakes over ten furlongs here last year, but often found one or two rivals too strong in novice company. She would begin this season with a belated win at Kempton before returning to pattern races. On her latest start, she coped with an even further rise in trip at Longchamp where she was beaten two heads in a listed race just shy of two miles. This performance gave evidence of how talented the filly can be and she will now be a valued asset at stud once she retires. 

Race Six: The sensoryjunction.co.uk Autism Awareness Nursery Handicap - Class Two - 2-Y-O Only - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 17

The first of two seven furlong handicaps would take place and it would look typically impossible to solve with a whole host of in form horses and potential improvers. The race is also a relatively new addition to the meeting as the first running took place in 2020. The Andrew Balding stable seems to enjoy this race as they saddled the winner in both 2021 with Harrow and last season where Gushing Gold came out on top in a close finish. 

The top weight would belong to the Godolphin-owned Age Of Gold, who cost an eye-watering amount as a yearling and looked exciting when winning on debut at Yarmouth, but following a heavy defeat in the Chesham at Royal Ascot, he has been gelded and dropped to this level. Spell Master would run for last year's winning trainer Andrew Balding and had been progressing with each race. After going close on penultimate start, he would force a dead heat for the win in a maiden at Glorious Goodwood. The training combination of Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole have come together with a portion of juvenile winners this year and Dividend would be one of them after winning at Sandown on second start. He would still look inexperienced when last of five in a listed race last time. Ralph Beckett's Original Outlaw has been unlucky not to win this year having bumped into a pair of useful winners in novice events and was then caught in the final strides at Glorious Goodwood last time. The Charlie Johnston-trained Hot Property would be another who has progressed with racing and after minor promise in his first two starts, landed a first win by a big margin at Catterick recently. George Scott's Griselda dropped down to the basement level to win for the first time but went on to complete a hat trick of wins throughout July. She would then rise straight into a class two handicap where she finished towards the rear. The Hugo Palmer-trained Seagolazo has an upwardly progressive profile and on his third start recently, landed a first win at the stable's local track Chester. The Richard Hannon stable often do well in these sort of contests and would saddle Angel Hunter in this handicap. The juvenile has shown plenty of promise behind some exciting prospects over six and seven furlongs. Another runner from the Hugo Palmer stable would be King Of Angels, who was an easy winner of a useful contest at Doncaster before returning only midfield in a nursery at Goodwood last time. Cyclonite would make the journey from Newmarket for trainer James Ferguson and had more experience than most in the field, but this would be his first start over seven furlongs. The Charlie Johnston-trained Shazani has been a bit of a slow learner, but won nicely on third start. Since then, he has struggled in valuable nursery handicaps. Brian Ellison's Jayvee got up close home win on debut back in April and the filly has done her best work at the finish with midfield finishes in the Marygate Stakes and Queen Mary Stakes. Art Market would arrive at York on an upward curve for trainer William Haggas as the colt has won his last two nurseries in style. The Karl Burke-trained Qaseem gained a first win last time out on his fourth start, despite this being his first start over seven furlongs, he got up in the dying strides to win at Haydock over six furlongs. Adrian Keatley's Dukes Of Haather made his debut in the Brocklesby Stakes at the end of March and has kept his form well until now. After winning for the first time at Chepstow, he would run well in defeat in the equivalent contest at Glorious Goodwood. Miss Hathaway remains a maiden, but has shown promise so far this season for Tim Easterby including on this course. She has placed four times in six starts to date. Richard Fahey's Tuscan Point has plenty of experience at this course, but has improved with each run. Last time out on his first start over seven furlongs, he would finish strongly behind a clear winner at Chester but was unlucky not to finish closer. 

Winner: ANGEL HUNTER (#8) (Acclamation x Ruxley's Star) - R. Moore - R. Hannon

The pace in this competitive nursery would be a strong one with plenty of habitual front runners. Charlie Johnston's Hot Property was able to claim the lead narrowly over the Karl Burke-trained Qaseem as the pair dragged the field along at a decent pace. Miss Hathaway, Original Outlaw and Shazani would be just a few to race close up in the early stages as the well fancied Age Of Gold and Angel Hunter would be amongst those at the rear. With the first half of the race completed, Angel Hunter had moved closer to the front group as Qaseem travelled strongly under Clifford Lee. They soon saw off the attention of Hot Property who weakend back into the pack as the race entered its final stages. Spell Master could only plug on at the same pace as Angel Hunter took over the advantage and finished strongly. Godolphin's Age Of Gold conceded first run and was unable to catch the eventual winner Angel Hunter, with Qaseem holding for third. 
A wide draw over seven furlongs at York is often seen as tricky due to the natural instinct to run against the inner running rail. Ryan Moore was able to drop Angel Hunter at the rear of the pack for the dog leg bend before shuffling forward, closer to the pace. It would be a move that paid off as he was able to gain a length's advantage which he managed to keep at the line. It would be a ride that showcases the brilliance of Ryan Moore and how there are very few better than him when he is in form like this. Richard Hannon would land another juvenile nursery at this festival as Angel Hunter broke his maiden at the fourth time of asking. The son of Acclamation had run well in class two novices at Sandown and Ascot where he bumped into the exciting Anno Domini on debut and the Group placed Tiger Mask on second start. He was a little below form at Haydock, but the race was a valuable one and was run over a furlong shorter than today's race.

A stout performance from an improving youngster. 

Race Seven: The British EBF Fillies Heritage Handicap - Class Two - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 18

On Ladies' Day, it would be topical for a fillies and mares handicap to round out the action for the day and it would be an equally tricky puzzle to work out. The competitive nature of the race meant that any horse would have a chance and the race has been used for a springboard to bigger success. Twelve months ago, the progressive Nigiri would bolt up by three lengths for trainer Ralph Beckett.

Top weight would be carried by the William Haggas-trained Nine Tenths, a four year old who has been a smart sort on the all-weather. After winning a listed race in March, she would make a return to the turf for the first time since October last year. Her stablemate Pinafore progressed through handicaps nicely last year and won at this level before finishing second in a listed race earlier in the season. This would be a drop back in class. The Ed Bethell-trained Elim finished last season with a pair of victories and has run well in defeat so far this year. She was last seen finishing third in a listed race at Pontefract. Karl Burke's Back See Daa won her novice race in nice style last year, but has competed in some hot races since then. She returned to form last time when third in a class three handicap at Haydock. Key To Cotai ran well at this meeting last year for the Ed Walker stable and has improved since then. The filly's best effort would be second in a listed race in June and was last seen finishing third in a valuable handicap at Haydock. Charlie Johnston's Arisaig has developed into a nice handicapper this season and was a last gasp winner at the Glorious Goodwood festival last month under a vintage Jamie Spencer ride. The three year old Raknah began her career in Britain before moving to Ireland with Jessie Harrington and has performed well since. After a good showing at Royal Ascot, she landed a listed race back home on her latest start. Last season's winning trainer Ralph Beckett would saddle Queen Of Mougins for the same owners Valmont. After last year's winning debut, she was highly tried in pattern races. Since then she has finished third in a few similar contests over six furlongs. The Andrew Balding-trained Miss Information has been in good form recently and after a pair of wins at a lower level, she was an unlucky loser when fourth at Glorious Goodwood recently. Richard Fahey's International Girl has plenty of good form at York in the past, but is more of a regular over six furlongs. Her latest start would see her make a move too late at Ripon. The highly progressive Alfa Kellenic has given trainer Craig Lidster plenty of excitement this year as she climbs the ladder. The three year old has won four in a row and was very impressive at York back in June, but this would be a first start over seven furlongs. Gemma Tutty is another trainer to enjoy a breakthrough season this year and would be represented by Enola Grey, who landed two low grade all-weather handicaps earlier this year. The David and Nicola Barron-trained Mereside Diva has been in good form this season and after finishing second here a lower level, won for the second time in 2024 at Musselburgh. She wasn't beaten far in a competitive event at the start of the month. The William Haggas-trained Sunfall carried the famous Cheveley Park Stud silks and has been progressing nicely this season. On her latest start, she show a few quirks but still managed to scrape home in a valuable race at Haydock, denying Back See Da in the process. Jim Goldie's Rock Melody is able to hold her form well during busy spells and would after a few wins last season, also finished just out of the placings in this race twelve months ago. The mare would win again just ten days ago and would arrive here in form. Another from the Ed Walker stable would be Queen's Reign, who has a lightly raced profile and scored in a Goodwood handicap on her penultimate start. This would be a slight rise in class though. The Middleham based yard of Ed Bethell would be represented by Coppull Hall Lane, who made it two wins from four starts at Redcar last time and looked an interesting contender. The field was completed by Jane Chapple-Hyam's Aquacell, who made a winning debut on the all-weather and was evidently well thought of. She has recently finished twice in handicap company over this trip, but still comfortably held by the respective winners. 

Winner: ALFA KELLENIC (#11) (Havana Grey x Silhuette) - T. Eaves - C. Lidster

The finale would see another strongly run contest right from the word go. The keen going Back See Daa took the group along at a quick gallop and would be joined by Miss Information as the pair battled it out for the outright lead. Miss Information and Oisin Murphy would win the argument and took the field down the far side of the track. Aquacell, Raknah, Pinafore and Coppull Hall Lane would all be at the head of the large group behind the leader as Key To Cotai and Rock Melody were unable to any closer than midfield. At the two furlong pole, Miss Information clearly had enough left to give as Oisin Murphy sent her for home, quickly opening up a two length lead. The black and gold silks of Alfa Kellenic were travelling powerfully, but still needed to swerve around weakening rivals. Once she was in the clear, Alfa Kellenic aimed straight for Miss Information and quickened up well into the lead. As her owners struggled to believe their eyes, Queen Of Mougins arrived on the scene with a strong late burst. Three progressive fillies would produce a grandstand finish and the three noses hit the line together. An impatient hush awaited the result from the stewards' room, but the result was called in favour of Alfa Kellenic who bravely held on from Queen Of Mougins and Miss Information. Elim would also fly home from nowhere into fourth.

It would be a dream come true for the locally based yard of Craig Lidster as his star filly provided the stable with a first Ebor Festival win to go with their first York winner, also courtesy of Alfa Kellenic. There would be emotional and excited scenes in the winner's enclosure as owners from The Good Racing Company celebrated like they had won the Grand National. It would be a remarkable fifth straight win for Alfa Kellenic, whose story of progression this season has shadowed that of her training yard in recent years. After winning a minor novice by a wide margin at Newcastle, she would be put away for three months until June where she quickened up well over six furlongs in the style of a nice horse. Just a week later, she would defy a tougher task in a class two handicap at York, finishing strongly once again and showing plenty of talent. She would have to fight harder for her next win, the Ayr Gold Cup Trial Handicap at Ayr, but once she got going, she finished well and got up on the line. This would be a new test all together, both in terms of race quality and a new distance to try. During the race, she would travel powerfully as usual and made her move two furlongs out. It would be a case of whether she would stay the distance, but the daughter of Havana Grey showed a great attitude to battle hard and just hold on. After showing plenty of speed and battling qualities, Alfa Kellenic is turning into the model racehorse and the ceiling remains limitless with this high class filly.