Race One: The John Smith's Racing Handicap - Class Two - One Mile - Runners: 14

A valuable day of racing on the Knavesmire kicked off with this competitive handicap over a mile which saw plenty of regulars line up, taking on some improvers. Last year, David O'Meara's Blue For You took advantage of his liking to the course by skipping clear and winning at York for the second time. The Nawton stable would be winning the race for the third time in ten years and often search for success on the Knavesmire at each meeting.

Tim Easterby's Austrian Theory ran in plenty of hot handicaps last season and won one at Epsom during the 2023 Derby Festival. He finished down the field on stable debut here last month, but showed more when third at Newcastle recently. Last year's winner Blue For You was back at York once again for David O'Meara and returned home fourth over course and distance at the Dante meeting. After that, he would finish down the field in a pair of big field handicaps. The former listed race winner Brunch has been another regular at York but Michael Dods' seven year old has been lightly raced recently. Karl Burke's three year old Cuban Tiger looked to be a colt going places when winning a listed race on Good Friday, but his turf form has been disappointing; that would include a near-last finish at Royal Ascot last time out. The locally based Empirestateofmind has been a useful sort at this level over the past two years for the John and Sean Quinn stable and would make his seasonal debut here on the back of a wind operation. The once very smart juvenile Imperial Fighter lost his form badly after 2022 but now resides at the Jamie Osborne stable. His two runs this year have yet to inspire confidence though. Roger Fell and Sean Murray's veteran La Trinidad won this race three years ago and remains a force at this level. The seven year old was successful last time out at Redcar. Another course regular would be Northern Express, who won on the Friday of this meeting last year. He continued his good York form with a second back in May and was also fifth in a quality Royal Ascot handicap. Another David O'Meara runner would be the well travelled Rhoscolyn. The six year old bounced back to form with a win at Epsom on his penultimate start, but is a regular in these kind of races. Rhythm Master would be another to win this easily at the height of his younger days, but he lost his way. He would make his debut for a third trainer of his career, Geoff Harker, in this hot contest. The small stable of Ray Craggs enjoyed a heart warming success here last month with their stable star Ron O and they would return to York, this time over a mile. The Richard Fahey-trained Sailthisshipalone already has a good record at York with two placings last year and went very close to winning a valuable sales race in October. He began his three-year-old season with a respectable run at the tight Chester. Stablemate Stone Soldier ran a big race from the front over seven furlongs last month and moved up a furlong here. A lightly raced three year old from Newmarket would be Telemark, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford. The gelding returned to winning ways last time by taking a decent looking handicap at Thirsk in the style of an improving horse. The formerly Irish trained Yermanthere joined the Malton stable of Tim Easterby earlier this year, but has struggled in a pair of competitive handicaps. 

Winner: BLUE FOR YOU (#8) (New Approach x Love In The Sun) - D. Tudhope - D. O'Meara 

One of York's biggest racedays of the year would be run under weather conditions similar to the day before, consistent drizzly rain. The opener would also see drama at the start as Stone Soldier would prove restless in the stalls which brought a brief pause to the starting process until he had calmed down. As soon as the gates opened to signify the start of the race, Stone Soldier ducked down and gave jockey Oisin Orr no chance of staying onboard and he was left standing in the stalls as his horse galloped away loose.

The loose Stone Soldier would also be a nuisance in the early stages of the race as he pestered the early leader Cuban Tiger. The likes of Austrian Theory, Sailthisshipalone and Northern Express would all race prominently while keeping the loose horse in their sight. The race would begin to develop at the final furlong stage as course specialist Northern Express moved forward to take over the lead from the weakening Cuban Tiger. The blinkered Blue For You made his move at the same time from further back and set up a battle with Northern Express inside the final furlong with Ron O also making his challenge. The battle of York's regulars would eventually go to Blue For You, who gained the upper hand close home and began to pull clear to win by just over a length. Ron O would provide his trainer with another good memory with a third as Sailthisshipalone fared much better than his stablemate by taking fourth. 

There is rarely a race meeting at York without a success for the David O'Meara stable who clearly enjoy little more than a winner at their local track. This would be Blue For You's eighth start on the Knavesmire which produced his third win. His season has been a near carbon copy of last season where he showed promise in the Hambleton Handicap at the Dante meeting before contesting in strong contests and winning this race. The tried and trusted path was followed again as Blue For You would finish fourth here in May but was towards the rear in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot. His handicap rating had slipped below his last winning one and it was clear that this had been planned for by a very shrewd trainer. 

Race Two: The John Smith's City Walls Stakes - Listed Race - Five Furlongs - Runners: 7
The action would turn to the sprinters with this listed "dash for the cash". Despite its listed status, the race has been used as a stepping stone to Group One glory in recent years. Back in 2016, Marsha gained her first "black type" success before returning to York a year later to win the Nunthorpe Stakes. In 2021, another rapid filly completed the double. Winter Power would win this race impressively and just a few months later landed the Nunthorpe at the Ebor Festival. Last year, the filly Nymphadora would win at York for the second time in her career and further back in the field, Kerdos returned home sixth, but has since developed into one of Britain's leading sprinters this season. 

Robert Cowell's Clarendon House was revitalised after dropping back into handicaps this season and won nicely over course and distance back in May. He would be a very impressive winner of a listed race in Ireland last time. His stablemate Democracy Dilemma has found a liking for Chester and won there again back in May. He has since finished second in the Epsom Dash, but was slightly outclassed at this level last time out at Haydock. The improving three-year-old Grandlad was winning for the third time this season at Goodwood last time out and did so in wide margin style for the James Horton stable. York regular Korker was back again for the Karl Burke yard and did his best work at the finish when staying on into third in a listed race at Haydock two starts ago. Rogue Lightening would be a progressive three year old during 2023 and ended the year stuck on the bridle crossing the line in the Prix de l'Abbaye. That prompted a big money purchase from Wathnan Racing, but the gelding has since struggled for form this year. The Ralph Beckett-trained Starlust put his classy juvenile form from last year to good use when bolting up over five furlongs here at the end of May, but failed to stay an extra furlong at Royal Ascot last time. The unknown quantity would be the Irish-trained three-year-old filly Yefimenko, who only made her debut in June, but impressed many when winning last week by a wide margin.

Winner: STARLUST (#7) (Zoustar x Beyond Desire) - H. Crouch - R. Beckett

The original field of nine would be reduced by two as We Never Stop and former group one winner Emaraaty Ana were withdrawn before the race due to the soft ground conditions. That left the majority of the seven runners with questions to answer in an open contest.

There would be more drama at the start as the blindfold worn by Democracy Dilemma to enter the stalls with would prove difficult to remove for Jack Mitchell and for a few strides, it affected his momentum. The errant blindfold soon made its way free and Democracy Dilemma quickly made his way to the front. The group would be closely packed as Grandland and Yefimenko chased the overal leader and Starlust watched on. Rogue Lightning and Clarendon House would be held up, but would still be within touch of the pace setting Democracy Dilemma. The race began to warm up inside the final furlong as the three year old Starlust showed the best turn of pace to lead inside the final furlong. Rogue Lightning would chase in vain all the way to the line, but it would be a second win of the year at York for the smart Starlust. His owner Fitri Hay would also take third with Democracy Dilemma while Korker took home a top four finish yet again.

It would be a second win at pattern level for Starlust, who had plenty of quality form to his name during a busy juvenile campaign. Mostly running over six furlongs, the son of Zoustar landed a won the Sirenia Stakes at Kempton in September before taking podium placings at the Breeders Cup in America and at Meydan in Dubai. His natural speed has unlocked further progress this season. He was a very impressive winner here at the end of May in a valuable handicap before contesting in the Group One Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. He would weaken tamely in that six furlong race, but returning to the minimum, he was back to his best. With his speed and talent confirmed, Starlust could potentially return here for the Nunthorpe Stakes next month. 

Race Three: The John Smith's Cup Heritage Handicap - Class Two - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 20

The highlight of York's summer season outside of the Ebor Festival would take place with the highly valuable and ultra-competitive John Smith's Cup Handicap. Affectionately known as the Magnet Cup to racing traditionalists, the race has seen plenty of drama in its last sixty years of existence. From huge gambles paying off to close finishes and future star names, the John Smith's Cup is a race worth winning to many.  

Since the turn of the century, leading local trainers such as Richard Fahey and David Barron have enjoyed success in this race, but the race has also been taken home further afield. Newmarket trainers William Haggas, Amy Murphy and Sir Michael Stoute have taken the trophy back to HQ and even the master of Ballydoyle Aidan O'Brien has landed the race in the past. The level of equine talent to win the race has improved too. 2010's winner Wigmore Hall and 2022's victor Anmaat would both go on to win at Group One level on the international stage.

The class of 2024 would see a near full quota of twenty runners, all of whom were high class types at this level and others who had the potential to rise further. The weights would be headed by Dan and Clare Kubler's Astro King, who was beaten just a nose in this race last year, but went on to win the cavalry charge Cambridgeshire Handicap later in the season before returning to finish second in a Group Three this year. The lightly raced four year old Botanical was expected to improve further this season and Roger Varian's gelding was very impressive when winning at the Dante meeting. He would be one of many "future Group horses in a handicap", but trailed home last in a Royal Ascot listed contest. Karl Burke's Liberty Lane showed the benefit of his seasonal reappearance by winning at Newmarket's Guineas meeting. However, at the Epsom Derby festival, he suffered all kinds of traffic issues and wasn't able to land a blow. Leading Qatari trainer Hamad al Jehani has brought a small string across to Britain in search for big race success. Last year's third placed Haunted Dream has joined the Al Jehani stable and following a luckless fourth at Epsom, chased home the classy Israr in a listed race at the Royal meeting last time. The only three year old in the lineup would be the smart Remaad, a useful juvenile winner who came third in a Derby trial back in April. William Haggas's colt would make his handicap debut here. Killybegs Warrior is a tough and battle-hardened type synonymous with the Charlie Johnston yard and last won a year ago to the day. He remains a regular in these strong handicaps. The Mick Appleby-trained Penzance fired in a four timer during the winter on the all-weather and chased home the very smart Elegant Man in the All Weather Classic. The grey would run well in a trial race here a few weeks ago when sixth. The four year old Enfjaar began his career brightly, but struggled in the second half of 2023. He would return to winning ways on the all-weather last time and looked progressive for Roger Varian. Dual Identity has a good record at Sandown, as shown by his latest ready success there and this would be his first visit to York. David O'Meara's Epic Poet was Group class when trained in France but struggled initially in Britain last year. He has caught the eye at the finish recently at the Dante meeting at most recently at Royal Ascot. Adrian Keatley's Kihavah has a great York record with three victories on the Knavesmire. The seven year old continued the stat with a good second in York's first race of the season back in May. Another runner for the William Haggas stable would be Kingfisher King, who made into a useful staying handicapper last season and was last seen finishing fourth here over half a mile further. The Hugo Palmer-trained Box To Box was looking to improve on his midfield finish in last year's race, but has a much better record at Chester. After placings out in Bahrain, he returned to the Roodee recently to go close to adding another win to his record. Irish raider Take Heart represented jockey turned trainer Johnny Murtagh and produced a better effort when stepped up to this distance two starts ago. The Alan King-trained Paradias ran well at the Ebor Festival last season before winning over hurdles during the winter. Returning to the flat, he kept on into second at Epsom in June. The David O'Meara-trained Machete was a smart sort in France and recently made a promising debut in Britain with a strong finishing fourth in the Zetland Gold Cup. The Amo Racing-owned Tony Montana was highly tried prior to his first career win last year, but has returned a much better horse this year by winning both starts in May. The absence of Scampi led to the first reserve getting a run at the eleventh hour. The honour would go to Ed Walker's Crack Shot who has quickly developed into a smart handicapper with three wins from eight starts and was a winning favourite at Newmarket in May. He was unable to land a heavy gamble on him in the Royal Hunt Cup last time out. Charlie Johnston's Loyal Touch has been kept busy since March but has often run well on the whole. His latest success would come at Ripon in early June. The much loved veteran Euchen Glen won this race way back in 2018 and still goes strong to this day. He would be an unlucky sixth in last year's Ebor Handicap, but rolled back the years to win a valuable race at Ayr a fortnight ago.

Winner: ENFJAAR (#7) (Lope de Vega x Tesoro) - J. Mitchell - R. Varian

The field would reduce from a maximum of twenty-two down to twenty runners as dual course winner Marhaba The Champ and lightly raced Flying Frontier were non-runners, which would have frustrated the connections of Terwada, who was unable to sneak into the race as second reserve.

The feature race would get away with no issues this time and there was a frenzied rush to gain a good position before they navigated the first bend. The strong staying Kihavah would lead overall under Paul Mulrennan, but he would have a host of rivals on his heels. The likes of Penzance, Enfjaar, Botanical and Kingfisher King all took advantage of their inside rail draw to bag a prominent position as those draw high were desperate to track over. Killybegs Warrior and Haunted Dream would have to sit and suffer on the outside of the group and covering more ground than the rest. At the two furlong pole, the race began to take shape as Kihavah cried enough in the lead and began to retreat. The Shadwell silks of Enfjaar would take over in front as his stablemate Botanical also made his move. The old boy Euchen Glen was also there with a chance of a fairytale win. 
It would be a battle of the four year olds as Enfjaar determinedly held his lead over Botanical and began to pull away at the finish and win by just under two lengths. Michael Bell's Tony Montana would fare best out of those held up by staying on into third while Kingfisher King would complete the top four of Newmarket trainers. Epic Poet would be another to make up a lot of late ground at the finish into fifth, just ahead of the admirable Euchen Glen. 

The modern trend of winners in the John Smith's Cup has moved to a progressive four year old and Enfjaar matched the profile. He would repeat the success of his owners Shadwell Racing following Anmaat's win in 2022 and would continue the good fortune they enjoy at York as the operation have won the last two runnings of the Juddmonte International. The son of Lope de Vega was an exciting sort at the start of last year having won two novice  races impressively. He would turn up in the Jersey Stakes as a fancied runner, but tasted defeat for the first time. He would have excuses on his next two starts, but returned this year with a smart display at Chelmsford, his first attempt at this trip. The four year old looks set for bigger things given the regard he was held in previously and a future in Group contests looks likely. 

Race Four: The John Smith's Silver Cup Stakes - Group Three - One Mile, Six Furlong - Runners: 8

The quality acts would continue on this "Super Saturday" as the stayers took to the stage. This Group Three contest is seen as a trial for the Ebor Handicap, but in recent years there have been some brilliant winners of this race. Back in 2021, a rising star by the name of Hukum powered clear to win before progressing further and winning multiple Group Ones in the following years. In 2022, Without A Fight easily dispatched his two rivals but following a move to Australia, won the biggest race in the country, the Melbourne Cup. Twelve months ago, the popular winning machine Hamish took home another big race trophy for his mantelpiece. 

A field of eight very smart stayers lined up on the Knavesmire and it would be headed by the Karl Burke-trained Al Qareem. He  won a Group Three over slightly shorter at Ascot last autumn and his latest attempt at this trip would result in a fourth in the Yorkshire Cup in May. The Andrew Balding-trained grey Alkasib won a competitive three year old handicap at Newmarket last summer and has run well in open company this year. He would stay on well into fourth over this trip at Royal Ascot last time. The Godolphin-owned Chesspiece would finish sixth in the St Leger and is a former course winner. He would need to return to that level though after a disappointing run at Sandown last time. The now five year old Deauville Legend helped to put trainer James Ferguson on the map with a stylish win in the 2022 Great Voltigeur Stakes here, but he hasn't been at the same level since. The well bred Klondike gave the William Haggas yard a strong chance here. The four year old had to dig deep to win a similar race over course and distance last month. He repelled the strong challenge of Salt Bay that day and the pair renewed rivalries once again with little between them. The field would be completed by Brian Ellison's Tashkhan, who gave Hamish a scare in this race last year and the Adam Nichol-trained Wise Eagle, whose rise through the ranks last season was followed by many. 

Winner: ALSAKIB (#2) (Kingman x American Nova) - PJ McDonald - A. Balding

The race would lack the presence of Arrest and Hamish, who raced at Newmarket earlier in the week, which gave the race a more open look. 

The pace would be dictated by front runner Al Qareem, who bowled along at a steady pace. Tashkhan would dispute the lead, but raced lazily as Alsakib, Chesspiece and Klondike were all on the leader's tail. There would be little change in the order as the field made their way down the back straight and past the trees, but halfway up the home straight, the challengers began to reveal themselves. Chesspiece had raced keenly early on and he quickly weakened once the pressure was increased and he and Deauville Legend were the first two to disappoint. The red silks of Wise Eagle travelled well and looked a danger as Klondike would be the next to fold. It would leave a group of three to battle for the win as Al Qareem, Wise Eagle and Alsakib and the Andrew Balding trained grey Alsakib showed the most toughness to grind out the win. He would cross the line a length and a half to the good over the brave Al Qareem and Wise Eagle, who had outrun his odds. Tashkhan would take fourth at the finish, but only after passing tired horses.

This would be much better from Alsakib, who lived up to his earlier potential for this level. The son of Kingman was very progressive in his first season on track which involved winning the Lavazza Stakes and Old Rowley Handicap at Ascot and Newmarket respectively. He ran only moderately at Group level this year with a well beaten third in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester, but stayed on well into fourth in the Copper Horse Handicap over this trip at Royal Ascot last month. This win opens up more options for the four year old and he could even return here over two miles for the Lonsdale Cup at the Ebor Festival. 

Race Five: The John Smith's Nursery Handicap - Class Four - Six Furlongs - Runners: 13

Next up would be the turn of the juveniles with this useful looking nursery handicap over the straight furlongs. The race would see plenty of previous winners who have tried their hand at stronger company without success and others who have surpassed the three starts needed in novice company to qualify for handicaps. The first running of the race was won by Kevin Ryan's Catch The Paddy, who was winning for the second time before contesting a Group Two next time and last year, there would be just five runners but another Northern winner in the form of Richard Fahey's Blue Prince, who would bolt up by five lengths.

James Horton's Alashos stepped up from his debut effort to finish a close second next time before breaking his maiden at the tight Lingfield course. He would show a good attitude there and had the potential for more. Mick and David Easterby's Atomic Mass made his debut in a maiden here in May that has produced some smart sorts. Since then, he ran below form back at York and again at Newcastle recently. He was still held in good regard. The Roger Fell and Sean Murray-trained Call Me Harswell looked be an early type after winning on second start at Beverley. She would then compete in stronger events both here and at Beverley, but looked on a high enough rating. Last year's winning stable relied on Death Or Glory, who chased home a pair of smart winners in his first two starts, but was too keen last time out over five furlongs. 2022's winning stable was represented by a runner with a similar profile. East Tyrone showed promise on debut when second and would match those achievements in two more runs, including last time in a stronger event. Ollie Pears would saddle Eighteen Fourteen, who caught the eye on debut at Pontefract, but ran poorly in a stronger race next time. He would gain his first win last time out when battling hard for it at Redcar. The Malton-based yard of Nigel Tinkler was represented by Go On Rosie, who has shown promise in her four starts but has been hampered by slow starts. Richard Fahey's Mrbluesky stepped up on his debut to finish third in a valuable selling contest over course and distance back in June. He would then struggle throughout at Chester on his most recent start. Oakley Boy showed the benefit of his debut when looking professional at Chelmsford when winning. Stuart Williams's colt would then run well in a deep looking novice at Sandown. Another runner from the Tim Easterby stable would be the colt Perfidia, who improved with each start and despite looking wayward, returned home third at Nottingham recently. Sir Palamedes would travel from Newmarket for the Charlie Fellowes stable and despite a pair of fourth places on his first two starts, he would take a small step back on the all-weather on latest start. Karl Burke's Triple Charged showed promise behind some talented winners on his first two starts but ran disappointingly on his most recent effort. The field was completed by the handicap newcomer Tuscan Point for the Richard Fahey yard. The colt has made his last two starts at York and this would be a more suitable task.

Winner: EAST TYRONE (#11) (Mehmas x Tuaileries Garden) - S. Gray - K. Ryan

The withdrawal of the well fancied The Flying Seagull reduced the field to thirteen, but with so many previous winners in the race, it felt like this nursery handicap would be a strong one for this level. 

The pace would be decent in the conditions and the early leader Alashos brought the group to the stands side rail. The place to be would be close to the gallop and a whole host of horses were shadowing the leader. Atomic Mass, Sir Palamedes, East Tyrone and Go On Rosie would all have a good position early on as the Richard Fahey trio of Tuscan Point, Mrbluesky and Death Or Glory would bring up the rear. 

The main group began to fan out into the centre of the course and that is where the main action unravelled. Early leader Alashos stuck like a hermit to the inside rail, but in the middle, Sir Palamedes looked to have everyone else covered off. East Tyrone would be the last to challenge under Shane Gray and in a driving finish, it would be East Tyrone who got up in the final strides to break his maiden. Sir Palamedes would be unlucky with second and the favourite Atomic Mass was another to challenge late into third. Alashos would go down as an unlucky loser as he was left isolated on the stands side and jockey PJ McDonald appeared to drop his whip. 

It would be a first win for the Kevin Ryan-trained juvenile, who entered handicaps on the back of some useful runs in novice company. His debut second would come at Doncaster, albeit in a four runner race in which the form hasn't worked out yet. Despite that, it would be a good first run and he would run with credit in a strong looking race at Beverley, where he weakened up the hill into sixth. On his latest start at Hamilton, he would be outpaced again over the minimum trip. The son of Mehmas has found improvement on this first attempt at six furlongs and won with a little in hand. The Kevin Ryan stable recorded their second win of the two day meeting and it wouldn't be a surprise to see East Tyrone back for a similar event at the Ebor Festival next month.

Race Six: The John Smith's Stayers Handicap - Class Four - Two Miles - Runners: 14

On a card that has something for everyone, next up would be the turn of the stayers with this two mile contest that took the field on a tour of the Knavesmire. In recent years, the race has been landed by dual purpose trainers such as Phil Kirby, Ian Williams and Lucy Wadham. Last year saw a brilliant duel between Golden Shot and eventual winner Baez, trained by Jim Goldie, who would go on to complete a four timer during the summer.

The useful Bringbackmemories has been a consistent sort recently and would finish a close third in the Northumberland Vase at Newcastle a fortnight ago. The well bred Bulldog Spirit swapped Charlie Johnston's stable for Rebecca Menzies's earlier this year and the four year old's best effort would come over a shorter trip at Hamilton. The sole David O'Meara runner would be Churchella, who has been an improved sort over the winter with three wins around this distance. The Kevin Frost-trained Daaris is seemingly due a win after a string of placings since mid-March. Micky Hammond's seven year old King Of Unicorns started life in bumpers but has raced only lightly on the flat. Despite this, he has placed numerous times and remained fairly unexposed. The four year old Le Rouge Chinois swapped Sweden for Britain at the end of last year and would be successful over this distance at the end of January. Following a mid season break, Mick Appleby's gelding would be back in winning action over a shorter trip in June. Last year's winning trainer Jim Goldie was looking to make it back to back wins in the contest with Letsbefrank, who was owned by last year's winning owners. The gelding has found a spark of improvement to win two Sunday Series contests recently over this sort of trip. The popular trainer John Berry would be represented by Merrijig, a six year old who has yet to win over this trip, but often runs well. The ten year old Percy's Word was progressive on the flat a long time ago, but became a smart hurdler for most of his career. He has been spotted sporadically on the flat, but Jess Bedi's gelding ran well last time when back on the level. Ivan Furtado's Rock N Roll Pinkie was another to show improvement when stepped up to this distance and won for the first time in over a year with a stylish display at Nottingham last time out. The Rebecca Menzies-trained Show No Fear made into a useful stayer this year and produced a career best when runner up in the Northumberland Vase at Newcastle recently. Leading Irish jumps stable Gordon Elliott saddled a rare York runner here with Ted Hastings, a multiple winning novice hurdler two years ago. The eight year old has also won on the flat before and made appeal given his connections. Jacqueline Coward's mare Valley Of Flowers won twice at a lower level last year and two placed efforts sandwiched a midfield finish in a similar contest at Thirsk. Tim Easterby's Zimmerman finished in the minor placings twice at York last year, including a well held fourth in this race last year. The five year old has struggled at times in some stronger contests. 

Winner:  ZIMMERMAN (#3) (Poet's Voice x Cresta Gold) - S. Kirrane - T. Easterby

Even with the withdrawal of Red Force One, Tailorman and Duke Of Verona, there would still be a larger than average field for this type of contest.

The race would get away to a reasonable break, but Churchella would be slightly slow away from his gate and was further back than ideal. Show No Fear would lead the group in front of the stands and around the first bend into the country with King Of Unicorns, Zimmerman, Ted Hastings and Valley Of Flowers all ridden close up. All the runners would race comfortably as they ticked off furlong markers one by one. The pack had soon reached the home bend and the red silks of Percy's Word began to circle the group on the outside and moved into the lead entering the straight. The pace began to heat up and the majority migrated to the favoured stands side once again. The Jo Mason-ridden Valley Of Flowers would be lit up and surged forward sooner than her rider seemingly wanted. The mare was then challenging for the lead at the two furlong pole as Zimmerman was still there with every chance. From the rear, the multi-coloured silks of Letsbefrank began to make a notable move as well. The race would simmer down to a battle between two Yorkshire runners, Zimmerman and Valley Of Flowers. The five year old Zimmerman showed plenty of tenacity to gain the upper hand as Letsbefrank closed with each stride. Zimmerman would drift to his left and slightly into the path of Letsbefrank, but it would be Tim Easterby's gelding who scored by half a length with Valley Of Flowers just holding on for second over Letsbefrank by a nose. There would be a gap back to Ted Hastings, who won his own race for fourth.

The dreaded klaxon sounded for a stewards' enquiry, but after a review of the finish, placings remained unaltered and it would be a fifth win for the son of Poet's Voice. The gelding has been fairly consistent at this level in the past two seasons and has a liking for Haydock, where two of those wins came at. He would finish fourth in this race last year, but was beaten nearly ten lengths. He then posted a better effort back on the Knavesmire last September when third in an identical race. This season, Zimmerman had contested in some decent handicaps such as Haydock's class two Hell Nook Handicap and Newcastle's Northumberland Vase in which he finished midfield in both races. His handicap rating had slipped below his previous win which gave him the support to better his effort in this race last year and take a well fought victory.  

Race Seven: The John Smith's Sprint Handicap - Class Four - Six Furlongs - Runners: 18

The final race of the day would return to the top of the home straight with this very competitive sprint handicap with plenty of runners renewing rivalries from recent times. Twelve months ago, Nigel Tinkler's veteran Roundhay Park would return the winner and it wasn't a surprise to see many York regulars back on the Knavesmire once again.
Nigel Tinkler would be looking for another win in this contest by saddling As If By Chance, who won twice during the summer last year and was slowly returning to form. Another runner from the Malton stable would be Bella Kopella, who won for the sixth time at Beverley a few starts ago and caught the eye with her finish at Doncaster a week ago. Tim Easterby's Danzan is a regular at York but has been slightly inconsistent recently. He would produce a better effort in a similar contest here last month. The Jess Macey-trained Dark Side Princess has transferred her useful all-weather form to the turf this season with excellent placings at Ascot and York last time out at this level. Paul Midgley's runners are a regular sight at York and he saddled Elegant Erin, a mare who put together a string of good efforts to win a decent contest at Newcastle recently. Another runner from the Tim Easterby yard would be Glendown, who won three times last year and appeared to have turned the corner last time out when fourth at Beverley a week ago. Heirachy was a very smart horse in his younger days before losing his form. He would snap a losing streak at Goodwood last year and the gelding is now trained by Jamie Osborne. The third challenger from Tim Easterby's arsenal would be Mattice, who has good form over the minimal trip, but also runs well on his ventures over this far, including in a similar race to this back in May. Malton runner Rock Opera would carry top weight for the Richard Fahey stable and after gradually building up a head of steam, ran out a comfortable winner at Doncaster at the end of last month. The seven year old Maxi Boy has been around the block over the years but has some high class form in his archive. Now trained locally by Fionn McSharry, the gelding dropped down from seven furlongs for this contest. The ten year old Treacherous has shown little sign of slowing down having finished in the placings in all four of his starts this season. He would find a well handicapped winner too strong last time out. The Newmarket-based Rebel Path represented the Stuart Williams yard and remains lightly raced. After missing two seasons, the gelding has shown glimpses of form this year. The veteran Oso Rapido was demoted from first here at the final meeting of last year due to interference, but since then Roger Fell and Sean Murray's seven year old ran his best race all season last time when fifth. Trilby has shown a liking to this course after a pair of sixth placings in identical races to this one and the strong traveller matched that placing last time out at Haydock. The Brian Ellison-trained Utilis remains a maiden after fifteen starts, but has gone close on a few occasions. The fourth Tim Easterby runner Spirit Of Applause has run well at York in the past, but only a few times. Mixing it over five and six furlongs, the four year old has found a habit of finishing sixth. Ben Brookhouse's Ray Vonn has missed a few intended races in the past few weeks, but remains on a high following his seasonal reappearance win back in May. The final runner of the meeting would be Grant Tuer's Showtime Mahomes, who returned to the scene of his biggest win back in 2022. The gelding has strung some solid placed efforts recently. 

Winner: RAY VONN (#18) (Galileo Gold x Golden Flower) - H. Crouch - B. Brookhouse

From the moment the starter pressed the button to open the stalls, Danzan would get a flying start. Showing some rapid reactions, he gained half a length on his rivals and stuck to the far side. For the first time at this meeting, there would be a split with two groups forming on either side. The speedy Danzan would lead a smaller group on the far side while the larger group would be headed by the likes of Glendown, Oso Rapido and Utilis. The handful of runners on the far side would consist of Ray Vonn, Maxi Boy and Rebel Path. 
Entering the final stages, it was still unclear who was going to win as Danzan stuck on bravely to his task and Maxi Boy would move alongside him into contention. As Showtime Mahomes made his move on the near side, it was soon proven that staying close to the pace was the best option. Maxi Boy looked set to give a notable success for Fionn McSharry, but the orange silks of Ray Vonn squeezed through runners under Hector Crouch and would get up to win slightly comfortably by half a length. The grey Maxi Boy would return to form with a second, just in front of Rebel Path and Trilby finished well into fourth. 

It would be an impressive win in the circumstances for Ray Vonn, who was patiently handled at the stalls due to his previous issues with the gates. Such was the competitive nature of the race, he needed to be patient approaching the final furlong, but a horse width's gap appeared for Ray Vonn to slip through and he emerged into daylight with a win. This would be the second success of the season for the improving four year old on his first start since May. Last year, slow starts would be a common theme for Ray Vonn, but with a different approach at the stalls, he has settled much better and is starting to produce it on the track.