The current Indian Summer showed no signs of stopping as Beverley took centre stage with a strong racecard with some potential pointers for the upcoming Royal Ascot festival.
The Hilary Needler Trophy and Two Year Old Trophy Stakes are always jewels in the calendar at Beverley and the lineup in both races justified that with some high class prospects on display. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the great filly Attraction winning the Hilary Needler Stakes before winning two Classics and multiple Group Ones. 
Supporting the two conditions races was a pair of competitive handicaps which looked hard to crack and a post racing concert was bound to boost the attendance. A gloriously sunny day with bearable temperatures made it a perfect day for the races. There was a high chance of seeing a new juvenile star this afternoon. 

Race One: The Bet365 Very British Raceday Maiden Stakes (Class Five) (7 furlongs) (8 runners)
Winner: ABBADIA (Mastercraftsman x Orcia) (#6) - K. Stott - G. Boughey.
The day's meeting kicked off with a low grade maiden for older horses who have seemingly been slow to develop and live up to their potential. Restricted to horses of the age of three, four and five, the less than competitive nature of the race provides a chance for one set of connections to enjoy a belated day in the sun in the winner's enclosure. Despite being open to older ages, the race saw an eight-strong field full of three-year-olds. 
Despite the low grade, there were some high profile trainers on the racecard with over half of the field trained in Newmaket. Leading contenders held a valuable amount of experience with Abbadia, trained by George Boughey, making her sixth career start this year and Leap Day, trained by Tim Easterby, having her fifth start. Both horses had already finished second on the Westwood this season and were looking for a winning return. 
In opposition were some lightly raced, well connected rivals. They included Bush Rose for trainer Roger Varian, From Beyond for co-trainers Harry and Roger Charlton and Rogue Soldier for trainer Tom Clover. The lineup looked better than the class five level on paper and made for an interesting start to the meeting.
It would be a win for the Newmarket raiding party as the George Boughey yard took home the trophy courtesy of Abbadia. Despite a tricky draw on the outside, Kevin Stott was positive on his mount and made the early running under a keen going filly. Onemorenomore and From Beyond tracked the leader as the field made their way around the undulations. Approaching the rising ground, it was clear Abbadia was travelling much the best and Kevin Stott engaged top gear and the pair drew clear in the final furlong. The race looked sewn up as From Beyond kept on steadily into second for a promising reappearance and Rogue Soldier filled out the placings. 
The daughter of Mastercraftsman has had plenty of opportunities before finally getting her head in front. Last seen finishing sixth in a handicap at Newmarket, she had also finished runner up at Beverley the time before. She appreciated the easier race, but she might lack the scope to progress to a higher level. 

Race Two: The Bet365 Hilary Needler Fillies' Stakes (Class Two) (5 furlongs) (9 runners)
Winner: MIDNIGHT AFFAIR (Dark Angel x Pastoral Girl) (#5) - D. Tudhope - R. Fahey 

The first of two valuable and historic conditions races at Beverley which has provided a star on the odd occasion. First run in 1965 and a listed race until 2001, the five furlong event for fillies has unveiled plenty of above average types such as pattern race winners Easton Angel, Liberty Beach and Rose Of Kildare amongst a smart roll of honour. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the course's most famous winner in the form of Attraction, the subsequent  English and Irish 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes winner. The Mark Johnston legend won this race on her third start and went on to remain unbeaten on her first eight starts. There is a bar named in her honour at the course and her prestige has yet to be matched. There is always a chance this year's crop will enjoy similar success in the future.
Nine runners lined up in what looked a tasty contest with three previous winners and others who have shown immense promise. The sharp Ziggy's Phoenix has already won at this level in the Lily Agnes Stakes at Chester last month and was looking for another valuable juvenile prize for Middleham Racing. Alfa Moonstone stepped up from her debut in the same Chester race to win impressively at Catterick recently and they were both joined by impressive debut winner Never Fear, who hails from the same Kingsley Park stables as Attraction. 
Midnight Affair is well related and was a pricey purchase at the sales, but could only manage second on debut. The half sister to classy Rhythm Master is highly regarded by Richard Fahey and is expected to win a race sooner rather than later. A similar comment applies to the well connected Flora Of Bermuda for trainer Andrew Balding. She showed plenty of speed on debut and was beaten just half a length in fourth. An interesting runner at fancy odds was La Boo for Mick and David Easterby, a daughter of the 2011 renewal Dozy.

The betting market sent out strong feelings for Midnight Affair and the gamble into favouritism was justified impressively by a smart filly in the making. The early pace looked honest with the keen going La Boo and Tallulabelle jostling up front early on. With the favoured far side rail the place to be, there was a lot of traffic issues for those held up. Flora Of Bermuda had nowhere to go on the rail and once the gap opened up, she responded well to the urgings of Oisin Murphy. The late spurt wasn't enough to catch Midnight Affair however, as the Richard Fahey filly was given a cool ride down the centre of the track, keeping away from the trouble. It would be consecutive wins in this race for jockey Dan Tudhope as owners Clipper Logistics have yet another high class filly on their hands. Midnight Affair had finished second on debut at Newmarket's Guineas meeting where she didn't get a clear run. She bumped into a smart winner that day, but this performance could see the old rivals clash again at Royal Ascot. 

Race Three: The Bet365 Handicap (Class Four) (7 Furlongs) (8 Runners)
Winner: UNITED FRONT (War Front x Shell House) (#1) - O. Murphy - M. Appleby
A competitive handicap which is a new race for this meeting and saw some regular faces at this grade return to battle on the Westwood. As is tradition, the draw is critical at Beverley and those with a low draw will have been quietly delighted. Course regular Ugo Gregory arrived in form and with recent near misses at Beverley. Beaten a neck in May, a fourth place sandwiched an agonising nose defeat last time out. The Tim Easterby grey surely deserves to get his head in front this year. 
The smart United Front headed the weights, but brought plenty of class to the equation. The Mick Appleby-trained six year old has already placed in a handicap at Meydan, a far cry from today's assignment. Another horse in form was Miss Britain who made a promising debut for new trainer Ian McInnes. The stable of Mick and David Easterby were set to be represented by two runners, the prolific all-weather winner Min Till and Beauty Choice. The pair would be withdrawn before the start on account of the ground for Beauty Choice and Min Till getting restless in the parade ring.
On the track, it was an exciting finish with four in a line holding every chance in the final furlong. The easily recognisable grey Ugo Gregory made the early running alongside Ascot Adventure with their rivals queueing up behind. Entering the final furlong, the leaders were still there but Satin Snake began to make headway on the outside of the group. Luck in running would be the order of the day and United Front began to muscle his way through the smallest of gaps under Oisin Murphy. Once in the clear, the Mick Appleby gelding burst through to win by a comfortable length. It would be a first win on turf for the six year old who has won at a much higher level on the synthetic surfaces. A popular success for punters who had their fair share of money on the horse. 

Race Four: The Bet365 Two Year Old Trophy Stakes (Class Two) (5 Furlongs) (6 runners)
Winner: BOMBAY BAZAAR (Kodiac x Shamlahar) (#1) - O. Orr - R. Fahey

One of the premier races of Beverley's season comes in the form of this five furlong conditions race for colts, the male version of the earlier Hilary Needler Stakes. Last year's running provided some high class horses with winner Chateau going on to win at listed level and post top four finishes in Group races subsequently and back in third last year, The Ridler, went on to cause a big shock by winning the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. Previous winners of this informative event include the likes of classy Cardsharp, Summer Sands and another Royal Ascot winner in the form of Prince Of Lir, who won this race on his debut. 
The field was on the small side, but there were some exciting prospects facing each other. Leading contender Cuban Slide represented the Karl Burke stable; a yard enjoying yet another exciting season with their juveniles. The son of Havana Grey made a mighty impression on debut, winning by nine lengths despite being eased down at the finish. Last year's winning stable, Andrew Balding, relied on the maiden Loaded Gun under Oisin Murphy, making a rare visit to the East Yorkshire track. Bombay Bazaar produced an impressive display over course and distance on his second start, pulling clear by four and a half lengths. The Kevin Ryan-trained Room Service completed the trio of last time out winners after winning at big odds at Wetherby, but did so in professional style. Completing the line up were the Amo Racing-owned Fusterlandia, who showed promise when second on debut and the Nick Bradley Racing-owned Mehigburn who was aiming to emulate Prince of Lir by winning this race on his debut.
The race would see the Richard Fahey land a clean sweep of the feature races with their Bombay Bazaar looking highly talented once again. From the stalls, Fusterlandia made it a fierce gallop as he dropped in trip for his second start. His enthusiasm would later cost him the race as he set up the race perfectly for a hold up horse. Entering the final furlong, Bombay Bazaar was angled out of the pack and produced a smart turn of foot down the middle of the track. Going away from the runner-up, it was an impressive display to the naked eye. It would be a win for "the other Oisin", jockey Orr. 
A trip to Royal Ascot looks the logical step for the son of Kodiac who is related to the likes of listed race winner Miss Lahar. 

Race Five: The Price Promise At Bet365 Handicap (Class Four) (1 mile, 4 furlongs) (5 Runners)
Winner: SOVEREIGN SPIRIT (Le Havre x Shutka) (#4) - O. Murphy - A. Balding

Just five runners turned up for this three-year-olds only contest which was worth nearly £11,000 to the winner, but it made for a very tight and tricky race to find the winner. Each of the quintet had won at least once before and most were arriving on an upward curve. 
The Ed Dunlop stable have been firing in the winners recently and they brought back their recent course winner Orchestra to the Westwood. After finishing second on his first attempt at Beverley, the son of Golden Horn made amends by beating a subsequent winner over a slightly shorter trip. He was popular in the betting and more was expected to follow from the gelding. The Middleham stable of Charlie Johnston was represented by Cool Party who won twice last year on quirky tracks Epsom and Lingfield. Running in strong handicaps so far this year, this event would be somewhat easier.  Imaginary World, Sovereign Spirit and Burglar's Dream completed the lineup for well respected stables. 
It would be another winner for the former dual champion jockey Oisin Murphy with Sovereign Spirit for his regular boss Andrew Balding. Given a very calm ride by Murphy, he tracked early leader Burglar's Dream before taking over the head of affairs at the halfway point. Upping the ante up the home straight, he soon had his opponents in trouble and went clear. Inside the final furlong, Imaginary World gave chase under Kevin Stott and rallied gamely close home. In a head bobbing finish, Sovereign Spirit had saved just enough stamina to last home and hold on to the lead crossing the line. Twice a winner already this year on the all-weather, he was guaranteed to stay the distance and his tenacity saw him in good stead to win for the first time on grass. 

Race Six: The Best Odds Guaranteed at Bet365 Handicap (Class Five) (1 mile, 2 furlongs) (9 runners)
Winner: DANDY'S ANGEL (Dandy Man x Party Pipit) (#9) - P. Mathers - J. Wainwright
A competitive field lined up for this run of the mill event, but some familiar faces to Beverley strode out onto the turf for one more time. Just nine pounds seperated the first seven in the racecard in the handicap which made for a tight contest. The weights were headed by Jewel Maker for trainer Tim Easterby. The eight year old had been out of form since his last win in August, but dropping into this lowly level was expected to suit better. Previous course and distance winner Berry Edge returned after two placings this season and prolific Newcastle winner Broctune Red was also a Beverley winner in the past. Two other past winners here, Bit Of A Quirke and Dandy's Angel, had a lot to find on ratings but they are horses for courses which bodes well here. 
There would be yet another close and exciting finish on the Westwood as the first four finishers were covered by under two lengths. Course regular Bit Of A Quirke led early under Andrew Mullen as his rivals raced in pairs throughout the order. Turning for home, Berry Edge had a perfect position just behind the leader and soon took over in front before setting sail for home. With plenty of traffic issues, eventual winner Dandy's Angel found a gap just at the right moment and got first run over the others. Overhauling Berry Edge, it would be a deserved victory for the six year old mare who had plenty of consistent place finishes previously. With six finishes in the top three at Beverley along with a win last year, her odds were maybe too big for a horse which goes so well at the track. Her official rating was 19lbs lower than the top weight Jewel Maker so she had an uphill task on figures. Nonetheless, the term horses for courses is perfect for Dandy's Angel as she won for the third time in her career.