Race One: The William Hill EBF Novice Stakes (Class Three) - Six Furlongs - 2-Y-O only - Runners: 15

Winner: PILGRIM (Havana Grey x Hot Secret) (#9) - D & N. Barron - J. Fanning

A good looking novice event kicked off proceedings at York and there was the potential for some to gain a deserved first win of their career or slow developing newcomers for connections who have next year in mind. Last year, the race would be won by a certain Group One winner of the future, not that anyone at the meeting would have predicted it. Shaquille, trained by Julie Camacho, caught the eye in the paddock by displaying some fine acrobatics and showed his usual quirks. However, on the track he posted a smart effort to win at York for a second time that year. This year, the son of Charm Spirit went on to provide a dream story for the stable with wins in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and the July Cup at Newmarket in front of the world's stage.
Would there be a future top level horse in this year's lineup? Only time will tell. The sole previous winner in the field Garfield Shadow was diverted elsewhere and the line up was reduced to sixteen, but the field size was pleasingly healthy. The attractive grey Pilgrim returned to York for the third time in a row following his fourth in the Premier Yearling Sales Race and second in a similar event last time. He looked more exposed than some in the race and was vulnerable to something with more improvement. Bona Fortuna looked set to possess that attribute as the Karl Burke-trained Bona Fortuna finished third on his debut where he looked to be learning on the job. Hearitfortheboys was also looking to step forward from his opening effort at Ripon and carried the Middleham Park Racing silks, colours that have seen plenty of success this year. In the large field, eleven of the sixteen runners were making that racecourse bow and there was plenty to be learnt about these newcomers. The Gosden stable saddled the most intriguing debutant in the form of Gamekeeper. The colt, owned and bred by Godolphin, has some very talented parents. In a fascinating opener, the leading stables of Kevin Ryan, William Haggas and Tim Easterby all ran newcomers. 

Following periods of rain through the week and during the morning of raceday, the ground had changed to soft and it would be a far from ideal situation for these juveniles. At the start, the Richard Fahey newcomer Angel's Call lashed out at handlers during their attempts to load her and was subsequently withdrawn at the start. That left a field of fifteen, but just a select few horses were able to land a blow. The Tim Easterby-trained Elegant Call made the most of his low draw and experience to gain the early lead as Pilgrim kept him in close sight. At the rear of the field, the likes of Gator Girl, Alhoby and Wahkan all ran greenly and were trailing behind at halfway. Entering the final furlong, the two leaders had pulled further clear of the remaining group and had a race of their own. Elegant Call dug deep to challenge but surrendered his lead to Pilgrim who pulled clear for a cosy success, the first of his career. The biggest eyecatcher would be the John Gosden-trained Gamekeeper who emerged from the main group and chased down the leaders all the way to the line. It would be a promising debut for the colt. For the winner Pilgrim, it would be a deserved win for the grey son of Havana Grey following his fourth in the Premier Yearling Sales race at the Ebor Festival and he went down fighting on his previous start over the same course and distance. He had the most experience in the field and made it count with a first win on his fifth start. Given his shrewd trainer, it wouldn't be surprising to see him progress further as a three year old in handicaps. 

Race Two: The William Hill Finale Heritage Handicap (Class Two) - One Mile, Six Furlongs - 3-Y-O Only - Runners: 11

Winner: LORDSHIP (Lord of England x La Caldera) (#2) - W. Haggas - A. Farragher

The focus turned to the stayers of tomorrow with this long distance handicap for three year olds only. The race has a habit of producing winners of historic staying handicaps and group races in the following years. Back in 2019, the popular Hamish took this race for the William Haggas stable before going on to win at Group Three and Group Two level. The Newmarket stable would win the race again last year with Post Impressionist, the eventual winner of this year's Old Borough Cup at Haydock.

William Haggas was evidently keen to defend the crown as he entered three smart types from the stable. Lordship was a three time winner before finishing fifth in the Melrose Stakes at the Ebor Festival. He was joined by stablemate Kingfisher King, another lightly raced and smart type and had the assistance of last year's winning rider Adam Farragher. The Middleham stable of Charlie Johnston is renowned for stayers and they saddled three challengers. The consistent and progressive Dreams Adozen, the often placed Knockbrex and lightly raced Tenerife Sunshine. The Kingsclere stable of Andrew Balding has seen plenty of success over the years and Urban Outlook was another stayer on the up in the famous Mill Reef colours. His stablemate The Goat made headlines for his twelve length romp at Goodwood on heavy ground in July, but had faced quicker conditions ever since. Amo Racing's Tony Montana was held in high regard but failed to live up to it as much as hoped for and he raced for the Michael Bell stable for the first time since his switch. Roger Varian's Spectacular Style proved to be well named when he galloped relentlessly to win by twenty lengths before being purchased by Middleham Park Racing. The dual purpose stable of Alan King ran the unexposed Insanity, a son of Nathaniel with the potential to switch codes for a jumping career in the future.

The softened ground would prove unsuitable for the pair of Rathgar and Spectacular Style as they were deemed non runners before racing. The remaining eleven were still very talented and in difficult conditions, the winner would be a clearcut one. From the word go, the pace was strong for the conditions with a handful of front runners keen to get on with things. The winning machine Dreams Adozen grabbed the overall lead under Joe Fanning as the likes of The Goat, Urban Outlook and Insanity matched strides early on. In the main straight as the pack start to push and shove on their mounts, it was clear that Lordship and Urban Outlook were going much the best. Urban Outlook began to extend his lead but Lordship with Adam Farragher had the move covered. Passing his rival with half a furlong to go, the William Haggas-trained gelding grinded out the victory with a further gap back to the third placed Dreams Adozen. It would be a repeat of last year's result as winning jockey and trainer teamed up once again. Lordship had been progressive during the summer with a hat trick of wins over this distance but on much quicker ground. He showed his usefulness with a fifth place in the Melrose Stakes at the Ebor Festival and that form was repeated. A nice prospect for the staying handicaps next year, he could even return for the Ebor Handicap itself. 

Race Three: The British EBF £100,000 Final (Class Two) - Seven Furlongs - 2-Y-O only - Runners: 16

Winner: APIARIST (Night Of Thunder x Samdaniya) (#9) - K. Ryan - T. Eaves.

A relatively new race to York's schedule as last year's running was the inaugural event. Set up by the EBF in their plan to encourage connections to buy locally with homegrown talent at the sales and then compete for a large prize fund in races such as this one. A race similar to the Premier Yearling Stakes at the Ebor Festival, it can be another big pay day for the winning owners. Last year, the race to Eve Johnson Houghton's Streets Of Gold who completed a brilliant five timer of wins including a nursery at the Ebor Festival and sales race in Ireland. On that day, he had the likes of Shouldvebeenaring and listed race winner Legend Of Xanadu in behind. 

This year's renewal looked set to be another quality event with a whole host of previous winners and a select handful of multiple race winners. The George Boughey-trained Lambert rattled in a quickfire hat trick earlier in the summer and finished sixth in a similar race at Doncaster, his winning ways saw him saddled with top weight in this race. Another three time winner was Nellie Leylax, who had been on the go since winning on debut in early May. Jack Channon's Miguel had developed onto a smart colt with two clearcut victories ahead of the race. Charlie Johnston's Gone Rogue followed a similar path with two wins to date. The upwardly mobile stable of Ben Brookhouse was represented by the impressive debut winner African Skies who put his unbeaten record on the line. The Coffee Pod had strong form lines to his name before winning in smart style over a slightly shorter distance. Novice race winners Francesco Baracca and  Mr Monaco added some potential to the line up while Candonomore, Apiarist and Sailthisshipalone finished in the first four in the same race at York back in July.  

The fiercely contested race saw plenty of pace in the early stages as Straight A took the field along in the seven furlong contest. On his tail, the likes of Grey Cuban, Nellie Leylax and The Coffee Pod helped to force the pace along. The strong gallop early on led to a near slow motion finish in the final stages. The Richard Fahey-trained Sailthisshipalone had cruised into the lead under Jack Garritty and looked set to take the prize. Out of the pack, his old rival Apiarist made smooth headway and took over at the head of affairs. The son of Night of Thunder kept on well to land his first career win in a lucrative pot. The well backed Grey Cuban plugged on into fourth while the tough Nellie Leylax was rewarded with a fourth place for connections. 
The winner Apiarist made his debut in a novice race at York in July which was won by Loose Cannon, the subsequent Acomb Stakes third. On that day, he caught the eye with the way he travelled and just lost out through inexperience. He would finish second behind Sailthisshipalone before running too keenly early on when fourth on his latest start over a mile. Returning to a course and distance he ran well at, his 28-1 odds seemed to underestimate him and he changed the head to head score to one-two. 

Race Four: The William Hill Autumn Mile Handicap (Class Two) - One Mile - 4-Y-O plus - Runners: 12

Winner: HAFEET ALAIN (Elzaam x Batuta) (#8) - E. Walker - C. Planas

A strong looking handicap which was set to be run at a strong pace and involve plenty of smart names. Regular attendee to York, Northern Express, headed the weights following another good season which included a win over a furlong shorter in July. The William Haggas stable enjoyed a good meeting on this card last year and won this race with the progressive four year old, Substantial. The Newmarket based Yorkshireman was aiming to follow up with another smart four year old in the form of Lattam, winner of the Irish Lincoln handicap at the start of the season. Star Of Orion has been a mainstay in these kind of races, namely at Ascot and Newmarket, but made the trip north to York for trainer Ralph Beckett. The pair of Millebosc and Hafeet Alain had gone close on soft ground in recent starts and were expected to enjoy similar conditions in the hunt for a return to the winner's enclosure. Former winners on the Knavesmire in recent years such as La Trinidad, Cruyff Turn and Eilean Dubh returned once again to their unofficial second home. The local yard of David O'Meara filled plenty of spaces in the racecard with three runners, Zozimus, Pisanello and the veteran Orbaan. 

From the start, Autumn Festival endured a horror start by rearing up badly as the gates opened. He would lose a few lengths on his rivals on ground where it was valuable to be prominent. The quirky Cruyff Turn was the overall leader as the field rounded the home bend with Northern Express and Hafeet Alain racing prominently and away from danger. The Ed Walker-trained Hafeet Alain grabbed the lead on the far side rail and burst clear under Conor Planas. In behind, there was all sorts of scrimmaging as Zozimus was constantly denied a clear run. Northern Express ran his usual game race in defeat but the seven year old gelding Hafeet Alain had already flown. It was tight in behind as second place down to sixth place could have been covered by a blanket with Northern Express, Star Of Orion, Zozimus, Millebosc and Lattam all crossing the line in close proximity. 

The winner, a son of Elzaam, has been a good servant over the years and had been in good form this year. Despite a brief spell in Hong Kong earlier in his career, it was apparent Hafeet Alain enjoyed the softer conditions having been narrowly denied on his previous start. In an exciting finish, it was another York win for the rising star Connor Planas, who had ridden plenty of winners this year, including the big three year old handicap here on Quinault in June. 

Race Five: The Parsonage Hotel & Cloisters Spa Nursery Handicap (Class Three) - Six Furlongs - 2-Y-O Only - Runners: 9

Winner: IRISH NECTAR (Invincible Spirit x Paco's Angel) (#11) - K. Ryan - S. Gray

This nursery handicap looked to have plenty of quality for the level and it was set to be a hotly contested race. The top weight Mon Na Slieve had yet to add to his smart debut win at York back in May but returned to the Knavesmire having been highly tried through the season.  The "Battenberg Army" were out in force with a special day for owners celebrating their fifth year as a syndicate and held a strong chance with the progressive dual winner Curious Rover.  Mc Loven and Rocket Money arrived into the race on the back of a brace of wins and both added intrigue to an already fascinating race.  Call Glory had plenty of winning form in lower company and made his debut for the shrewd Mick Appleby yard. Michael Dods's Midnight Lir had been kept busy ever since his debut in April and gained two wins throughout the season.

There would be drama before the start as the strongly fancied Nazron was withdrawn in the parade ring having bucked and kicked. It left a field of nine to go to post, but the race was still strongly run. The speedy Curious Rover charged down the home straight and had the assistance of Good Point and Ganesha to force the pace. Approaching the final furlong, it looked set to be between these three horses, but from off the pace came Irish Nectar. The Kevin Ryan-trained gelding had been patient at the rear of the field but Shane Gray timed his challenge to perfection as his mount flashed home over the top to win from the brave Curious Rover with Good Point back in third. 
It would be a second win in a row for Irish Nectar who showed a liking for soft ground last time out with a smart display to win for the first time that day. With identical conditions here, it came as little surprise to see the son of Invincible Spirit power home in impressive fashion. It would also complete a double for owner Steve Ryan, a first for the former beekeeper.

Race Six: The Copper Knight - Winning Most Horse At York Handicap (Class Three) - 5 Furlongs - 3-Y-O plus - Runners: 12

Winner: WEN MOON (Mehmas x Luminous Gold) (#6) - B. Haslam - J. Peate

This class three dash for the cash over five furlongs was renamed last year to celebrate the achievement of Copper Knight sharing the most wins at York tally. The legend of the Tim Easterby's stable would then go on to take the record for himself back in July with a seventh victory on the Knavesmire to finally break clear of Dakota Gold and Stradivarius. The ten year old was an unsurprising name on the racecard in the race named after him, but old adversary Dakota Gold was back once again to gain a seventh York win of his own. 
There would be plenty of opposition to the pair of old rivals in this sprint which included Looking For Lynda and Wen Moon, first and second at York in a similar race last month. Ian Jardine's Never Dark made all for an impressive win at Haydock last time and was reunited with Alex Jary in the saddle. Strong Johnson and Thunder Star had an in and out profile but in the process had won plenty of races this year. The likes of Count D'Orsay and Alligator Alley had all been finishing on the premises recently and were due a win any time soon. Bergerac was a smart sort a couple of years ago but had lost his form badly in the past eighteen months. 

Like many handicaps at York, it benefitted the ones who raced prominently. The last time out winner Never Dark was sharp out of the gates and grabbed the early lead. Wen Moon, Bond Chairman and the old hands Dakota Gold and Copper Knight raced prominently in the early stages. Chasing a decent gallop, the field charged down to the final furlong and a gap opened at the perfect time for the three year old Wen Moon as Copper Knight and Dakota Gold began to weaken out of contention. Under Jonny Peate, the gelding took over at the head of affairs but drifted markedly to his left. Despite his errant ways, he kept running forward and crossed the line by himself to win for the first time this year. The well-handicapped Normadic Empire chased the winner home with Shalaa Asker running another bold race. It wasn't to be for the old rivals Copper Knight and Dakota Gold as they could manage midfield finishes. There will be hopefully other days for the pair. 
For the winner, Wen Moon gained a deserved moment of glory having finished second twice in September over five furlongs. He started his career brightly with two wins as a juvenile last year and has kept his form well this year. Seemingly suited by these slower conditions, Wen Moon could go in again before the flat turf ends in November.

Race Seven: The IRE Incentive - It Pays To Buy Irish Apprentice Handicap (Class Four) - Seven Furlongs - 3-Y-O plus - Runners: 13

Winner: THUNDER ROAR (Night of Thunder x Dominike) (#16) - T. Coyle - B. Loughnane
*Placings reversed following a stewards' enquiry* 

There would be another chance for racegoers to get a glimpse of the future as this handicap restricted to amateur jockeys. The equine talent was high for the level with plenty of once smart types and the young riders included championship leader Harry Davies, Group One winner Sean Kirrane and last year's champion apprentice Jonny Peate.

The bottom weight Kalgonov sneaked into the race as the in form runner following two wins for David O'Meara and was partnered by the talented Mark Winn. Riot had seen plenty of action at York during the season along with fellow Knavesmire regulars No Nay Nicki, Ugo Gregory, Novak and Danzan. Jim Goldie's tough gelding Yaaser had been kept busy this year with a win in the Racing League and close fourth just last week. The diminutive Amie Waugh retained the ride. The lightly raced Initio was the most unexposed runner in the race following three runs and stepped into handicap company for the first time with Harry Davies in the saddle. 

The aforementioned wet weather caused havoc to the plans of many trainers and a total of seven non-runners reduced the field to thirteen. The remaining runners were still closely matched and the race itself was still hard to work out. From the start, Look Back Smiling almost fell out of his gate and lost five lengths on his rivals in the opening strides. The lightly raced Initio moved into the lead from his wide stall and was joined up front by Oso Rapido and Danzan. The field congregated to the stands side and it would be Oso Rapido to take over in front under Andrew Breslin. Making his challenge would be Thunder Roar, who had saved ground being on the inside of a left hand bend, but found himself on the wing of the group. He began to make ground under Billy Loughnane and arrived on the scene. The front pair began to pull clear of the remainder but Oso Rapido began to drift to his left under a right hand drive by jockey Andrew Breslin. The pair would carry Thunder Roar along with him and the pair ended up on the far side rail. As they crossed the line, there was little margin between the two and Thunder Roar was in front a stride after the winning post. The dreaded buzzer of the steward's enquiry notice led to a long and agonising wait for connections. Eventually, the interference was deemed significant enough to switch the positions and Thunder Roar would be given the win. 

It would be a second win for Thunder Roar since joining the Tony Coyle stable in Malton having begun his career with Kevin Ryan. It would be a second winner for sire Night Of Thunder and the four year old gelding was at home on the softer ground. He may have been unlucky in the race, but he moved through the race like the best horse so the steward's decision seemed to be justified.