York racecourse would turn into the place to be on a Friday night as the Knavesmire hosted its one and only evening race meeting of the year. A popular event for locals, the action on track was the prelude to the crowd pleasing concert of 80's band Human League. The meeting would be headlined by the listed EBF Lyric Stakes for fillies' and mares' over ten furlongs with the class two handicap sponsored by local syndicate Gallop Racing added substance to the card.

Race One: The Pearly Cow Handicap (For Amateur Riders) - Class 4 - 1 Mile - 13 Runners:
Winner: TELE RED (#11) (Telescope x Hardy Blue) - J. Lander - K. Burke
The card began with a race for amateur gentleman riders with a view to the future for many of the jockeys taking part as they learn the ropes and advertise their skills in the process. 
There was a few recognisible surnames as the next generations of famous families in racing were in action and hoping to follow the path of their predecessors. The likes of Jack Callan and Jack Nicholls were in the infancy of their careers while it would be a proud day for the Easterby family as brothers William and Thomas Easterby rode against each other in the race on mounts trained by their father Tim. 
The Richard Fahey stable saddled two popular veterans of the yard in this race with Hartswood, once a smart type, and Absolute Dream. The in form pair of Clear Angel and Nikovo arrived at York on the back of two wins each with the latter ridden by veteran amateur Simon Walker. 
With a field of amateur riders, many would have been keen to make an impression and with plenty of front runners the pace was decent early on. Dungar Glory and Jack Nicholls brought the field down the middle of the home straight once turning for home and made his own bid for glory. Travelling well on his quarters was the well fancied Tele Red under young Jack Lander, he was easy to spot with how well he was going. Once the button was pressed at the furlong pole, the race was practically over. Tele Red burst into the lead and wasn't for catching. Crossing the line two and a quarter lengths clear, it was an impressive display and a second win in a week following a Haydock success seven days ago. The hardy Hartswood ran well again into second while Dungar Glory held on for third. 
Winning jockey Jack Lander may only be seventeen years old, but he already earned plaudits within the racing fraternity for his fundraising events for the Injured Jockeys' Fund. An all round nice youngster, the future remains bright for Jack Lander.

Race Two: The Eventmasters.co.uk Handicap - Class 3 - 7 Furlongs - 17 Runners
Winner: QUEST FOR FUN (#4) (Lope de Vega x Craic Agus Spaoi) - S. Kirrane - T. Easterby 
A typical York handicap over seven furlongs in which many of the leading contenders had already raced on the Knavesmire at some point this year. The large Yorkshire stables of O'Meara and Easterby were represented by plenty of hopes. For team Nawton, David O'Meara relied on recent winner Riot and Ascot Adventure who had been keeping busy in recent weeks and Tim Easterby had the task of saddling Quest For Fun, Golden Apollo and Devilwala. 
Elsewhere, fans of previous course form would be in their element with the likes of Doctor Khan Junior, No Nay Nicki and Motagally all taking each other in identical races earlier in the season. Challet would make a return to York for trainer Michael Dods, the six year old had a fun time two years ago when he won on the Knavesmire twice in 2021 with numerous other placings.
 Like so many races at York, the advantage was to be placed handily in the early stages. Sun Power took the field along from the start as he stepped up in trip and he had the keen going Motagally in close company. The recognisable green silks of Challet was on the scene already as the runners swung around the dogleg turn into the home straight. Sitting in the slipstream of the leaders, Quest For Fun, Ascot Adventure and Riot all moved forward to challenge and it soon ended up being a three way battle for the win between Challet, Quest For Fun and Ascot Adventure. As the early leader began to empty, Sean Kirrane urged extra out of his mount Quest For Fun and the five year old gamely responded. Gaining a deserved win having run into form recently including a fifth here previously and third at Doncaster last time out. It was another win at York for Sean Kirrane having rode a double here a fortnight ago and Tim Easterby has found more ability in Quest For Fun after his move across Yorkshire from the Julie Camacho stable.

Race Three: The Irish Incentive EBF Novice Stakes - Class 3 - 7 Furlongs - 11 Runners
Winner: LOOSE CANNON (#3) (Territories x Vareqa) - D. Tudhope - W. Haggas
A very interesting novice on paper looked set to unearth another smart prospect for the future. Twelve months ago, Shaquille was sent off at large odds on his debut, but won in clear-cut fashion. Little did many people in attendance that day know that the Julie Camacho-trained colt would go on to land a Group One double this year in the form of the July Cup and Commonwealth Cup. Further back in time to five years ago, the Tim Easterby debutant Wells Farrh Go won this race impressively before going on to land the Acomb Stakes and laterly the Bahrain Trophy.
This year's renewal appeared to lack the star power on paper, but the newcomers in the field were unknown qualities in a field of once raced types and previous winners. Making his debut for top trainer William Haggas, Loose Cannon made most appeal of the newcomers. The son of Territories hails from the family of the classy Unnefer, a listed race winner for Henry Cecil. The Kevin Ryan stable are always respected with their debutants and unveiled Apiarist to the racecourse. The colt is related to some smart types including Group Three winner Dabyah. Richard Fahey's Batal Dubai and Tim Easterby's Candonomore also stepped foot onto the racecourse for the first time.
The experienced pair of Overlooked and Arc Shadowfax held valuable race time over the rest with the latter a previous winner earlier in the season. The sole unbeaten runner in the field was the filly Bella Wella. A surprising debut winner for the Mark Walford stable, the daughter of Land Force looked like she knew what to do with a professional performance. 
Elsewhere, Polly The Rocket caught the eye on debut when third and along with Sailthisshipalone, they were two potential improvers on their second starts.

The diminutive previous winner Bella Wella raced keenly and dragged the field along at a decent enough pace with the eventual first four home held up early on. As the field took an arrow formation, the newcomers came to the fore. On the left, Loose Cannon and Sailthisshipalone moved forward stylishly while on the right flank, Candonomore and Apiarist caught the eye as well. The quartet met in the middle and the 2017 winning stable of Tim Easterby felt they had another debut winner with Candonomore. He took part in a thrilling battle with Loose Cannon and the pair looked each other in the eye all the way to the line. In a case of "head up, head down" it was Loose Cannon who got his nose in front and win on debut. Back in third, Sailthisshipalone stepped up on his debut effort while Apiarist showed promise in fourth. 
The winner Loose Cannon was strongly fancied in the betting as a newcomer from the leading stable of William Haggas. The son of Territories looked well in the preliminaries and showed a good attitude to gain the win. The form of the race may need to be tested further to see where the limit lies, but he looks a good prospect for the future. 

Race Four: The Tomahawk Restaurants Handicap - Class 4 - 6 Furlongs - 16 Runners
Winner: CAIRN GORM (#2) (Bated Breath x In Your Time) - R. Ryan - K. P. De Foy
The key to this race would be a look back to a near identical race at the previous meeting two weeks ago in which Roundhay Park held off Little Muddy and Muscika. Those three names were back at York once again and looked set to confirm the form of that close finish. 
In a wide open contest, there was plenty of in form horses lurking in the mix and it would prove a challenge to call the winner. Antony Brittain's stable was triply represented in the race with Murbih, Bellagio Man and Asadjumeirah all taking the start while Sir Maxi gained long overdue wins last time out. Oso Rapido finished in the runner's up spot three days ago, but had the assistance of Oisin Murphy in the saddle, a surprise attendee at York instead of Ascot earlier in the day.

Positioning and luck in running are always the difference between winning and losing in big field sprints at York and the winner Cairn Gorm was given a perfectly timed challenge to win for the first time in a long time. Buried in the pack early on as Muscika and Manila Scouse took each other on, jockey Rossa Ryan squeezed through into a share of the lead at the final furlong pole. The big white face of the chestnut held the overall win and battled gamely to land the class four event. It would be a first win for the son of Bated Breath since 2020 during his classy juvenile days. Formerly trained by Mick Channon, he was a proven mud lover and won his first three starts including a French Group 3. Rated at a highest mark of 103, Cairn Gorm consistently ran creditably throughout the past two years and his rating began to drop further. Moving to Newmarket with the Kevin Phillipart de Foy stable has contributed to the change in fortunes as well, but it was good to see this one time smart gelding back in the winners' enclosure. The regularly placed Asadjumeirah flew home for second once again as stablemate Bellagio Man followed him home into fourth and early leader Manila Scouse deserved his third place.

Race Five: The British EBF Lyric Fillies' Stakes - Listed Race - 1 Mile, 2 Furlongs - 10 Runners
Winner: MIDNIGHT MILE (#7) (No Nay Never x Ruby Tuesday) - O. Orr - R. Fahey
The feature race of the evening came in the form of this listed race for fillies and mares and it provided a valuable opportunity to gain black type for their future careers at stud.
The race was contested by some smart types this year, in their bid to follow in the footsteps of last year's winner Achelois and 2021's winner, subsequent Group 1 hero Aristia. The younger generation of three year olds in the lineup held most interest and they included the returning Electric Eyes. The Karl Burke-trained filly won well on debut before running a bold race to finish second in the Rockfell Stakes at Newmarket last September. Not seen since, she missed her intended early season targets and will be looking to make up for lost time. The John & Thady Gosden trained Queen For You has been highly tried this year despite still looking green, she would appreciate the drop in class here. The revelation of recent months Sparks Fly gained a deserved shot at pattern company having won six handicaps in a row, all in dominant fashion. For the local Richard Fahey stable, the Group Three winner Midnight Mile returned to action following a disappointing effort at Royal Ascot. She had previously run well to be fourth in May's Musidora Stakes. 
The field of ten was filled by some smart four year old fillies in a battle of the ages against their year younger rivals. The Roger Varian-trained Mukaddamah looked high class at one stage, but has struggled for form recently. Despite this, she would be Jim Crowley's only ride of the meeting in the famous Shadwell colours. 
The rapid improver Sparks Fly was the early leader in this contest as Laura Pearson adopted the regular tactics on the Dave Loughnane-trained filly. The pace looked honest, but as the race began to hot up, Sparks Fly began to fizzle out. Her place up front was taken by the smooth travelling Midnight Mile under Oisin Orr and the pair quickly galloped clear of her talented rivals with some style. Crossing the line two and a half lengths clear of the rejuvenated Mukaddamah, the three-year-old filly showed her true colours with this drop in class. Last seen finishing in the competitive Ribblesdale Stakes, a Group 2 at Royal Ascot, she could only manage thirteenth of seventeen. Dropping back in trip proved to be the right call as she had finished tied for fourth behind subsequent Oaks winner Soul Sister in the Musidora back in May. 
While some fancied fillies faltered, this winner displayed the similar level of ability that saw her win the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes and finish fourth in a Breeders Cup Fillies' Juvenile Turf. 
The favourite Queen For You appeared to have her bubble burst by managing fifth and Scenic ran a mighty race into third, having looked a threat at once stage entering the final furlong. 

Race Six: The Gallop Racing Handicap - Class 2 - 1 Mile, 2 Furlongs - 6 Runners
Winner: SPIRIT DANCER (#2) (Frankel x Queen's Dream) - O. Orr - R. Fahey

A slightly disappointing turnout for this class two handicap worth £15,000 as just six runners went to post. Last year's winner Spirit Dancer has a good record at York and returned once again following his eighth place in the John Smith's Cup a fortnight ago. On paper, he looked to hold a very good chance of making it two wins in a row in this race. Fellow York regular Brunch faced a stiff task carrying top weight over a distance slightly longer than his best, while three time Chester winner Box To Box appeared to be the biggest threat to the favourite.
A welcome return to the saddle was in store for Jo Mason following a seven week absence due to injury. She rode the returning Carolus Magnus who was making his debut for the Mick and David Easterby stable. 
In an interestingly tactical race, it would lead to a Richard Fahey and Oisin Orr double, courtesy of Spirit Dancer who repeated his win in the race last year. From the word go, the Chester specialist Box To Box used some of his handy early speed to good effect as he went into a clear lead. The pace was strong enough to make the six strong field run in single file with over ten lengths between first and last. Jean Baptiste settled in second with Spirit Dancer holding back in third. The usual front runner Brunch was outpaced and was forced into a rearward position. At the halfway stage, Jo Mason's anticipated return to action soon turned into a nightmare as her saddle began to slip forward, leaving her with the unenviable task of riding precariously. Remarkably, Mason kept her balance and the partnership completed the race albeit tailed off.
Turning for home, the pace had yet to relent and for a moment, it looked as if the Hugo Palmer-trained Box To Box would hold on under a well judged Oisin Murphy ride, but hot favourite Spirit Dancer loomed large in his mirror. Travelling sweetly, "the other Oisin" had all the time in the world to choose when to release the handbrake. His mount breezed past the leader and galloped on strongly to a three length victory over the game Box To Box with Jean Baptiste and Brunch filling in the minor places. 
It was a smart performance in a handicap for the six year old winner who clearly loves the flat York track after a third here in May and eighth in the John Smiths Cup. 

Race Seven: The Sky Bet Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival Handicap - Class 3 - 5 Furlongs -14 Runners

Winner: KNEBWORTH (#3) (Awtaad x Sterophonic) - F. Marsh - R. Hughes

A very tough handicap to solve for punters with a large field of three year olds over the minimum trip. In previous years, this race has provided clues for next month's Ebor Festival with the likes of Dakota Gold and Que Amoro going on to follow up in similar company.

Previous winners on the Knavesmire were present in the line up with the likes of Betweenthesticks and Mersea winning at York last year while Havana By The Sea, Northcliff and Seantrabh all finishing in the placings earlier in their young careers. The Richard Hannon-trained Knebworth was popular in the market following a very impressive win over the much older Asadjumeirah at Haydock and looked well treated. The lightly raced Kokomo caught the eye on handicap debut with Oisin Murphy and smart juvenile Star Of Lady M was beginning to run back into form. 

The race would be a fascinating event to watch with many holding chances and the lead repeatedly changing hands. Up front early on, Betweenthesticks showed some of her blazing speed which saw her win here back in October as Seantrabh and Northcliff kept close to the leader's tail. Further back, the likes of Mersea, Knebworth and Star of Lady M were held up in midfield, but they would soon be the main protagonists in the finish. As Betweenthesticks began to weaken in the final half furlong, Knebworth threaded his way through the pack to challenge under Finlay Marsh. With clear air ahead, the son of Awtaad burst away from his rivals and the well handicapped three year old made it two wins in seven days. Winning at the same meeting as the first race winner Tele Red, the meeting ended on a tedious link.