Race One: The Sky Bet Handicap - Class Two - One mile, Four furlongs - Runners: 14

Winner: MARHABA THE CHAMP (Galileo x Lady Of The Desert) (#6) - R. Moore - K. Ryan 

Day three of the Ebor Festival began with yet another hotly contested handicap, this time over the stamina laden mile and four furlongs. For some, it is a valuable parachute prize after just missing out on a spot in the Ebor Handicap. Despite being open to three year olds, the competitive handicap has been dominated by four year olds. Farhan landed this race twelve months ago and became the ninth winner of the age group in the past ten years. Some classy individuals have landed this race in the past including subsequently Group 2 placed Barsanti and Libran who went on to perform at a high level in Australia.
This year's renewal once again featured many four years as they looked to continue the trend of recent runnings. There was plenty of emotions in the parade ring as leading Northern rider Paul Hanagan would leave the weighing room for the final time as he got the leg up on Wooton'sun before retiring from riding. A brilliant career which saw ten group ones, two champion jockey's titles and a legendary partnership with the Richard Fahey stable. Many in attendance were rooting for a fairytale winner with the smart gelding who landed the Old Newton Cup at Haydock last month.  In the Royal silks, Educator was an eye-catching entry despite not living up to his lofty reputation as a younger horse.  Of the Classic generation, the three year olds Intinso and Balance Play were both lightly raced and on an upward curve. Plenty of familiar faces were present such as Marhaba The Champ, Toshizou and the returning classy sort Bague d'Or. 

The ending hoped by many in the Yorkshire crowd failed to materialise as Wooton'sun could only manage a midfield finish, but as one high class rider bowed out, one of the world's best riders provided a masterful display. The early pace was sound as leader Paradias raced keenly under Rossa Ryan. There was little change in the order until the final two furlongs where Paradias slipped the field and gained a two length advantage in the boiling point of the race. As other jockeys panicked, Ryan Moore remained cool and collected. Riding Marhaba The Champ, an uncertain stayer, he held his horse up and latched onto the good pace. With a wall of horses ahead, he found a gap big enough to squeeze through and arrived on the scene with enough under the bonnet. The reappearing Bague d'Or ran a mighty race for Dan Muscutt as the gelding gave chase in vain but the race would be comfortably seasled for Marhaba The Champ.  A son of Galileo, the gelding was trying twelve furlongs for the first time. With a strong speed influence from his dam, the high class sprinter Lady Of The Desert, there would be question marks about the trip. However, Kevin Ryan's team is adept at improving horses over new distances and just like Forza Orta on Wednesday, Marhba The Champ won at his first attempt at this new trip. He would also return to the York winner's enclosure after winning at the Dante meeting in May. 

Race Two: The Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup - Group Two - Two miles - Runners: 7

Winner: COLTRANE (Mastercraftsman x Promise Me) (#4) - O. Murphy - A. Balding

The feature race for the stayers came in the form of the Lonsdale Cup, a Group Two contest over two miles. Regularly the meeting place of Britain and Ireland's best long distance horses, the race was also a standing dish in the career of Stradivarius. The John Gosden-trained superstar won this race three times and he stands alongside some famous names and public favourites from down the years. The likes of Persian Punch, Sergeant Cecil, Further Flight and Bollin Eric have all ground out successes in this race in the last thirty years. 
Last year saw the late withdrawal of Stradivarius, but in exchange, the race saw a magical performance by Quickthorn and jockey Tom Marquand. Taking full advantage of his mount's long stride, Marquand found himself ten lengths clear of his rivals before galloping on relentlessly to win by fourteen lengths. The Hughie Morrison trained six year old returned to defend his crown on the back of a Group One win at Goodwood where he relived those aggressive tactics. In opposition, the young pretender Courage Mon Ami landed this year's Ascot Gold Cup in stunning style over the reopposing Coltrane and the popular seven-year-old Broome remained at the highest level at his veteran age. Yorkshire Cup winner Giavellotto returned to the scene of his biggest win and the seven strong field was completed by the previous course winner River Of Stars and honest Nate The Great. 

Tactics were always going to be a strongly examined focus of the race and the jockeys had learnt their lesson from Goodwood. Quickthorn gradually worked his way into the lead at the bend away from the stands, but his rivals kept a much closer eye on him this time. The pace wasn't as strong as expected and River of Stars and Coltrane were keen on not giving the leader too much rope like last time. Approaching the final furlongs, Quickthorn began to weaken suddenly and the lead was inherited by Coltrane and Oisin Murphy. The six year old grimly held off the challenge of the strong staying Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami, but the race was in the bag from a long way out. Giavellotto plugged on into third ahead of the filly River of Stars, but the sad postscript to the race was the tragic injury to Nate The Great.  
The winner Coltrane has been on the staying scene for a while now and deserved this big race win after placings in the Gold Cup and this race last year. The six year old was nearly retired due to injury two years ago, but the patience has paid off for this tough and hardy type. 

Race Three:  The Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes - Group Two - 2-Y-O only - Runners: 10

Winner: LAKE FOREST (No Nay Never x Lady Aquitaine) (#9) - T. Marquand - W. Haggas 
York's premier contest for two-year-olds took place once again with a high class lineup bringing excitement to the Knavesmire. The six furlong sprint has been a long standing fixture in the racing calendar and some of the biggest names in the sport's history have landed this contest. Mill Reef would emerge on the scene prior to his legendary career in the 1970's while Royal Applause and Turtle Island were high class winners in the 90's. Star miler Rock of Gibraltar was a brilliant winner in 2001 and more recently, star sprinters Blue Point and Muhaarar also went onto bigger things after York.
2023's renewal was typically strong and featured some of the very best in the juvenile division. Based in the heart of Middleham, the Karl Burke stable has enjoyed yet another successful season with their juveniles and held the key to this year's Gimcrack. The very quick Kyllian took three starts to break his maiden, but has gone on to bigger things. Showing a high quality turn of foot at Sandown, he won a listed race over five furlongs before suffering interference in running at Goodwood last time when finishing third. Stepping up to six furlongs, he was expected to be a main protagonist. Remarkably, Aidan O'Brien's last win in this famous race came in 2001 with Rock Of Gibraltar. Many have tried and failed, but this year O'Brien called upon Johannes Brahms, a well regard colt by sire of the moment Siyouni and debut winner over six furlongs. In a classy field, Haatem landed the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last time out while Emperor's Son had the potential to bounce back from a midfield finish at Royal Ascot having been so impressive on debut. The unbeaten King's Gamble also added another dimension to the lineup for trainer Ralph Beckett. Kevin Ryan's record for winners in this race always demanded respect so the faith placed in Ayr winner Jehangeer spoke volumes. 
There would be a minor shock in the race as the 16-1 shot Lake Forest bounced back to his best for the formidable team of William Haggas and Tom Marquand. The dream team landed their third win of the meeting and did so with a smart juvenile beating some bug reputations. The speedy pair of Hala Emaraaty and Action Point made the running as Ryan Moore was held up on Johannes Brahms. Tom Marquand decided to follow Moore early with his mount in the slipstream which led to be a race winning move. The pair made their challenge at the same time, but the William Haggas-trained son of No Nay Never found the better change of gear and battled past the Aiden O'Brien colt. The pair came close to each other at one stage, but the result was uncontested. Despite the odds, there was high class form in Lake Forest's book. Winning on debut, he chased home the smart Jasour in the Group Two July takes at Newmarket. A below par run back in novice company was blamed on soft ground and a quick turnaround from Newmarket, but the faith of his trainer was always there. A high class and precocious type, it remains to see where Lake Forest's ceiling lies. The inexperience King's Gamble stayed on well into third while Action Point backed up his bullish trainer's claims with a good fourth place 

Race Four: The Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes - Group One - Five furlongs - Runners: 16
Winner: LIVE IN THE DREAM (Prince Of Lir x Approaching Autum) (#4) - S. Kirrane - A. West
The quality of racing did not let up and next up, it was the turn of the speedsters and the fastest race of the week; the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes. Like so many of the flagship races at the Ebor Festival, this race has seen some memorable performances over the decades. From the 1990's where Dayjur scorched the York turf in a time of 56.16 seconds, a record which stood for nearly thirty years. Lyric Fantasy also sits highly on the charts of former winners as the two-year-old beat her elders in 1992 during a brilliant year. Modern sprinting greats such as Oasis Dream, Stravinksy, Pivotal and Kyllachy have all won this race in the past and today, the likes of the locally trained dual winner Borderlescott, Highfield Princess and Alpha Delfini have all flown the flag for Yorkshire on the biggest stage. In recent times, the race is best known for Battaash. A very quick horse when the conditions were right, he breathed new life into the sprinting division. One of the all time best, the Charlie Hills-trained gelding won the race twice but will be remembered for smashing the long standing course record by posting a 55.90 second time. 

This year's crop of speedsters brought excitement and headline making potential to the Knavesmire. Last year's lightning queen Highfield Princess has looked even better this year and she looked in ominously good form last time at Goodwood. The John Quinn-trained mare would face a rematch with Bradsell, the three year old. The pair met in the King's Stand at Royal Ascot where the winner Bradsell drifted across Highfield Princess's path. The result stood, but connections will be looking to settle the score at York. Other contenders included those who have won big honours this season. Khaadem produced a huge shock in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and was looking to finish higher in this race than he did last year. In a slightly weaker than usual renewal,  there was a surprise supplementation for Big Evs, the new star of the small Mick Appleby stable. The two year old has looked rapid this season and won for the first time in his career on the biggest stage of them all, Royal Ascot. He followed up in the Molecomb at Goodwood and connections feel they have a shout of becoming the first two-year-old winner of the race since Kingsgate Native in 2007. From the Ed Bethell stable, Regional has finally delivered on his early promise and arrived here two from two this year while front runners Fine Wine and Live In The Dream stepped out of handicap company this year and would ensure a very quick early gallop. The Aidan O'Brien stable won this race with the likes of Mozart and Stravinksy in the early 2000's, but relied on the three year old Aesop's Fables. Half of the field consisted of high quality fillies and the Temple Stakes winner Dramatised had her conditions once again and rated a live danger. 

There would be a fairytale outcome on the Knavesmire as the small stable of Adam West denied the biggest and best stables in Europe with his star gelding Live In The Dream, who blazed a trail down the York strip. The race was practically won from the second the stalls opened, a highly renowned quick starter and rapid front runner, Live In The Dream put in a customary fast start under Sean Kirrane and led the field which had spread into four bunches. The main group consisted of Highfield Princess, Dramatised and Bradsell, but they would need to work overtime to lay a glove on the leader. The four year old posted sectional times of ten second furlongs, something rarely seen. With his horse covered in sweat, Sean Kirrane was the last off the bridle with every confidence in his mount. Highfield Princess breathed down their necks, but Live In The Dream had done the damage early as he held on to a memorable victory. It would prompt great scenes in the parade ring as David had defeated Goliath. Based in Epsom, the name of Adam West is unknown to many casual race fans, but he has been in training for six years and adored this horse every step of the way. Live In The Dream was running in handicaps this time last year, but a pair of listed wins at a third in a Group Two this year showed his improvement and potential to take on this kind of challenge. Jockey Sean Kirrane had only recently ridden out his apprentice claim and this was a perfect way to celebrate turning professional. A first York winner came only last month and he also became the first jockey in three years to win a Group One at the first attempt.
For many reasons, Live In The Dream really did provide the dream result for those involved. 

Race Five: The Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies' Handicap - Class Two - One mile, Two furlongs - Runners: 9
Winner: REACH (Sea The Stars x Ameliorate) (#6) - J. Mason - M & D. Easterby 
A high class handicap for fillies and mares followed the excitement and drama of the Nunthorpe and the race itself was filled with very talented types. A relatively new race at the meeting as the first renewal took place in 2020, this handicap was been a stepping stone for some very smart types. The likes of Achelois, Angel Power, Sea La Rosa and last year's winner State Occasion have all filled the frame in this race before going on to pattern level success in the future. 
Making her return to action having chased home State Occasion in last year's race, the William Haggas-trained Amanzoe was still lightly raced and held the potential for more. Well bred three year old fillies joined in on the action, such as the Shadwell bred Rowayeh, a distant relative to Baeed and Hukum. . There were plenty of in form fillies in contention as well, the likes of Prenup who  arrived on the back of a last time out win and last time out winner Sisyphus Strength for what would be a competitive event.
The withdrawal of three runners watered down the field to nine runners, but it still provided a thrilling finish. In an slowly paced event, Prenup cut out the early running under Harry Davies with many other racing keenly. There was little change in the order almost throughout the whole race, but Prenup attempted to gain a headstart by kicking clear approaching the final furlong. The Oisin Murphy-ridden Sisyphus Strength came there with a strong challenge, but was joined by the smooth travelling Reach for Jo Mason. The pair set out a great battle as Reach drifted to her right and nudged into Sisyphus Strength. Mason was strong in the saddle and her mount responded gamely to hold off her rival and win for the third time this year. It would be a very popular for the lovable character of Mick Easterby, grandfather of Jo Mason, who had trained another Ebor winner. There were customary laughs and jokes on the rostrum which showed why the Yorkshire legend is so loved by many.   

Race Six: The British EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes - Class Two - Seven furlongs - Runners: 14
Winner: BATTLE CRY (No Nay Never x I'll Have Another) (#2) - R. Moore - A. O'Brien

A regularly important race for the future of the sport as the Convivial Maiden Stakes is the richest race of its type in the country and is very well contested. Not only is it a valuable opportunity for connections, the seven furlong trip provides clues for potential Classic runners for next year. Last year's running was won by Godolphin's smart Desert Order, but subsequent 2000 Guineas runner-up Hi Royal chased him home in third that day. Back in 2021, the Andrew Balding-trained Hoo Ya Mal won this race and would go on to finish a huge priced second in the 2022 Epsom Derby. Future Royal Ascot winners Molatham and Naval Crown are also recent winners of this informative contest. 

This year's running saw plenty of well bred individuals and many others who had shown a high amount of promise in their previous runs and were looking to get their first number one in the form book. There was an emphasis placed on those with experience over the newcomers as many of the final field had raced once before and shown ability. As to be expected with a race of this calibre, leading trainers sent across their next hopeful stars in the making. For Aidan O'Brien, Battle Cry was the sole runner for the leading connections, he had finished second last time out.  Elsewhere in the field, Kings Valley was strong at the finish when third on his first race start at Sandown and was held in some regard. With a whole host of previous runners up in the field, there was plenty of form to chew over. Zain Blue chased home Gimcrack runner King's Gamble on debut which could be strong form.  Under The Sun had finished second twice already and would deserve his first win here. The likes of Castle In The Sand, Ever Driven and Al Waasl had all suggested they were capable of a win at some stage. 
There were five newcomers to consider as an extra dimension. The Kevin Ryan stable sent out the smart Hi Royal to finish third on debut in this race last year and he was represented by the Sheikh Obaid-owned pair of Sisyphus and Volterra. Both were expensive purchases and well bred. The team at Charlie Johnston's yard have sent out many young winners over the years and they introduced Peace Walk while the equally strong stable of Richard Hannon gave a debut to Dimsons. 
In a field of many contenders, it would be the powerhouse stable which took the prize home. The newcomer from Adrian Keatley's stable Thanks Forever took the runners along at a decent pace as many ran greenly in behind. The debutant Peace Walk from Charlie Johnston's yard had no chance at all and was already trailing the field as they rounded the dog leg bend into the home straight. Entering the final furlong, Thanks Forever was still running a big race, but challengers emerged at all angles. Battle Cry had tracked the leader under Ryan Moore and took over proceedings inside the final furlong. The experienced type would hold off the closers and win the richest maiden in Britain for Ireland's best trainer. In a stable filled with equine talent, it is fair to say Battle Cry wasn't one of the leading lights, but he has progressed with each run and looks a nice prospect for the future. Finishing eighth on debut, the son of No Nay Never finished second at Down Royal last time out, but even that line of form wasn't inspiring. Out of a dam who won over 1 mile and 6 furlongs, it is envisioned that Battle Cry will be seen over longer trips next year. Zain Blue confirmed the promise of his debut run with another strong staying runner's up finish with the brave Thanks Forever showing an abundance of promise in third. The Kevin Ryan-trained pair of newcomers were big eye-catchers. Volterra and Sisyphus finished strongly to take fourth and fifth places and they woud go into the notebook for the future. 

Race Seven: The Sky Bet Mile Handicap - Class Two - One mile - Runners: 11

Winner: SILVER SWORD (Charm Spirit x Aurora Gray) (#5) - G. Cheyne - D. Cunha. 

A fiercely contested handicap signed off the day's action and there was another big field to deal with for punters. The race has been won by the likes of Pogo, a subsequent Group class performer, smart handicapper Brunch and the future Group One winner My Dream Boat. Last year's renewal saw drama as first past the post Point Lynas was demoted and placed second for interfering with Master Richard. After a lengthy stewards' enquiry, the placings were swapped and the race went to Ann Duffield's Master Richard.
Punters will be hoping for a clean and fair race this time around and there was plenty of smart horses in the lineup. Enfjaar was a late non runner due to the ground conditions and his high profile absence cut some of the excitement from the build up. Middleham Park Racing's Dear My Friend held Derby aspirations after winning on his seasonal debut at Newcastle, but his limitations have been exposed and he could go better now back in handicap company. The popular and rapidly growing stable of Dylan Cunha was represented by their star Silver Sword, who dropped back to a mile here. There was plenty of previous winning York form on show, courtesy of this year's winners Monte Linas, Bajan Bandit and last year's debut winner Modesty. Glenfinnan returned to the scene of his debut last year and held a good chance while Shadwell Racing's other runner Tafreej held strong claims for the capable pair of Marquand and Haggas. 
There would be a very popular result with the improving Newmarket stable of Dylan Cunha gaining their first big win on British soil, courtesy of their stable star Silver Sword. Things weren't as straight forward as it seemed as the three year old proved tricky at the stalls, but he soon consented to running. In the early stages, Bajan Bandit took up his usual spot in the lead as the likes of Glenfinnan, Alzahir and Finn's Charm chased the pace early. Entering the final stages, Silver Sword still had work to do with little space to navigate. Once the gap opened up, the son of Charm Spirit flew down the home straight and overhauled Catch The Paddy and Bajan Bandit to record a deserved victory.
His trainer, Dylan Cunha, is making a name for himself in Britain but is a high profile figure in his native South Africa. Champion trainer in that country on many occasions, Cunha took a step back from racing for a while before relocating to Britain with Newmarket the port of call. Starting with just three horses initially, the rate of progress the stable has seen is inspirational and more big successes should follow. 
The horse himself has had many issues previously. The grey had always been well regarded based on his home work, but refused to race on the first two starts of his career. With his racing life under threat, Dylan Cunha spent plenty of time with his protege and the issues were ironed out. Winning on his first run of the season, Silver Sword would finish second on the undercard to the Derby at Epsom as well as winning easily at Pontefract. He did the best he could on soft ground at Goodwood, but conditions here were perfect to seal a brilliant redemption story.