Race One: The Lindum York Handicap - Class Two - Five Furlongs - Runners: 18

Day two would kick off with a fast and furious handicap over the minimum trip of five furlongs. Just like the previous day's sprint handicap, there would be plenty of well known and loved names in the lineup and others with the potential to rise further up the ladder. Natural pace is the name of the game in this contest and old favourites such as El Astronaute, Duke of Firenze and Copper Knight have all won this race in the past, as well as Regional who won this in 2023 before winning at Group One level at Haydock later that season. Last year, another Group-class horse would land the prize as Clarendon House appreciated the drop in class to win before making a successful return to listed company recently. 

Top weight for the opening crescendo would be carried by Mick Appleby's Shagraan. The four year old was highly progressive last season with wins at Goodwood and Haydock and showed he was open to further progress with a close up third at Goodwood earlier in the month. Tees Spirit has been a rags to riches story for the Adrian Nicholls stable and is a former listed race winner. The rapid seven year old won twice at a good level last year, but did too much too soon at Ripon recently. Another sprinter on the rise would be Archie Watson's Spartan Arrow, who finished third in this race last year for previous connections. He would bolt up in great style over Epsom's flying five furlong course last month. Jim Goldie is getting the best out of the five year old American Affair, who has won five of his last eleven starts. The gelding is thriving on the back of a comeback win at Musselburgh and is on the cusp of Group races now. The grey Pilgrim won a big handicap at Royal Ascot for the David and Nicola Barron stable as well as winning at this course in the past. After a quiet end to last year, he returned to form with a good second at Ripon last time out. The Brian Meehan-trained Toca Madera finished in the placings in Group company as a juvenile before landing a nice prize last season. This year, he shaped with encouragement when second at Newmarket, but weakened into the pack at Goodwood last time. It feels like Vintage Clarets has been around for longer than he has, but Richard Fahey's tough sprinter is a former winner at York and has won plenty of good races. Despite a good run last time, his best form tends to come later in the year based on previous seasons. JM Jungle landed a very competitive race at the Ebor Festival here last summer and has continued to progress since then with a good second at Musselburgh last month for John and Sean Quinn. Kevin Ryan's Vantheman finished second at this meeting last year over this distance and Kevin Ryan's four year old developed into a smart sprinter during 2024. He would produce a good effort over six furlongs when fading late at Newmarket in April. Trilby was another to enjoy a profitable season last year for the Sam England stable and kept up his good record with a win at Beverley. He posted a decent effort in this grade last time out and returned to a course he has gone well at in the past. The Heather Main-trained Zoulu Chief was an all-the-way winner of a nursery handicap at the Ebor Festival two years ago, but has been sporadically seen in action since then. He would post an encouraging effort when third at Ascot last time out. Ventura Express recently surpassed his fiftieth career start and celebrated with a good effort in fourth at Ripon. He had previously been in good form with a second at Newcastle and unlucky fifth at Pontefract this season. A second runner for the Kevin Ryan stable would be Mon Na Slieve, who won on debut at this meeting two years ago. The chestnut won for first time since then at Musselburgh in April and has since run well at this level. Tim Easterby's stable is synonymous with sprinters but their sole representative in this contest would be Vince L'Amour. The four year old won for the third time in 2024 in a handicap over course and distance in October and has threatened to go close in two starts this season. Antony Brittain's Mondammej is a regular in sprints at York and has been well renowned for his quirks. He enjoyed a mini revival on the all-weather over the winter and wasn't disgraced on his return to turf last time out. Scott Dixon's Fine Wine finished third in this race two years ago and was a classy sprinter during his peak. He would run well when third last time out, albeit at a much lower level. The field would be completed by Paul Midgley's Lethal Nymph, who hasn't won for a few years, but has been threatening to go close in recent starts. The six year old was holding his form well until a mystifying below par run last time out halted his progress.

Winner: AMERICAN AFFAIR (#4) (Washington DC x Classy Anne) - P. Mulrennan - J. Goldie

The field would be reduced by one just before the start as Mondammej's quirky side reared its head again and the gelding refused to even leave the parade ring. A reminder that no matter how experienced horses can be, they will still tell people when they don't want to run.

With the absence of Mondammej, the remaining seventeen entered their stalls without issue. As the gates opened, Toca Madera would jink to his left and hamper those drawn closest to him, Tees Spirit, Trilby, Spartan Arrow and Vince L'Amour. Zoulu Chief would also make a sluggish start, rearing once the gates burst open.  From the outset, the field would split into two with Mon Na Slieve showing incredible pace on the near side, opening up a lead of three lengths overall. On the opposite side, JM Jungle would hold a narrower advantage over Lethal Nymph but remained well positioned. As the tearaway leader began to weaken, he would surrender the lead to JM Jungle inside the final furlong, but the yellow silks of American Affair had weaved through horses to emerge on the scene. Taking aim at the leader JM Jungle, the favourite finished powerfully to take over in front. The gelding came clear crossing the line a comfortable length to the good. JM Jungle ran yet another good race at York by finishing best of the rest in second, as the awkward starting Toca Madera kept on into third. The top four would be rounded out by Shagraan, who did well to finish as close under top weight having been outpaced at a crucial stage.

This would be yet another step cleared on the amazing rise of American Affair, who has been brilliantly handled by Jim Goldie. The homebred five year old's winning streak began back in the summer of 2023, winning a modest class five contest over six furlongs, rated just 67. His emergence would continue throughout 2024 as he won three times with four other placings. The highlight of last season came at Doncaster where he landed the historic Portland Handicap; again in last gasp style. Returning to action in April this year, the son of Washington DC picked up where he left off by winning the Scottish Sprint Cup at Musselburgh, again holding off JM Jungle by a length. The ceiling remains to be determined for Jim Goldie's rapid sprinter and a tentative entry in the Group One Kings Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot now looks to be feasible. With a high cruising speed and finishing kick, he should fit right in with the best sprinters around which makes it an exciting time for the Scottish stable.

Race Two: The Oakmere Homes Hambleton Handicap - Class Two - One Mile - Runners:16

Another very tough contest would come next, in the form of the Hambleton Stakes over a mile. The nature of this race suits front runners, so riders will be very keen to grab a prominent position from the outset and the draw is often crucial. Back in 2017, the Robert Cowell-trained Here Comes When landed this race before causing a massive shock in the Group One Sussex Stakes a few months later. Northern based stables tend to have a good record in this race, as shown last year when the Ed Bethell-trained Point Lynas bravely made every yard of the running to win at this venue once more. He would then go on to win a listed race to prove his quality. 

Course regular Northern Express has won at York three times in the past with plenty more placings. Michael Dods's stalwart finished second in this race last year before landing a valuable Ascot handicap. He will undoubtedly give his all here as usual. David O'Meara loves these sorts of races and saddled Cerulean Bay here. The smart juvenile struggled for the first part of last year but found his feet by winning three more times over seven furlongs. He would need to prove his stamina over a mile here. The likeable veteran La Trinidad is an eight year old now but Roger Fell's gelding has a good record at this venue. He finished fifth in last year's running and did well to finish third on recent comeback in the Thirsk Hunt Cup. Another regular at York is the David O'Meara-trained Blue For You. The seven year old has three wins on the Knavesmire and showed he was still in form when third at Haydock recently. The Jennie Candlish stable has been in great form this year and would saddle Alzahir in this contest. The formerly useful four year old won twice for his new stable earlier in the year, albeit over seven furlongs and returned to a mile. The lightly raced Sisyphean bolted up over course and distance last summer for the Kevin Ryan yard but struggled on soft ground back on the Knavesmire in October. Back down a mile, he should improve as a four year old. Another four year old in the lineup would be Ed Bethell's Old Cock, who had a good first season last year with three wins. He would produce a below par effort in the Lincoln, but has been given time to recover from it. The totally unexposed Romieu lined up for the Nick Bradley Racing and Adrian Keatley stable having raced just three times so far. The French recruit is bred to be high class and dominated at Redcar, winning with plenty in hand. The quirky but popular Cruyff Turn lined up at York once again for the Tim Easterby stable having won this race three years ago. The eight year old continued his love for Redcar by winning there in April and posted a good effort when fourth in the Thirsk Hunt Cup. The Simon Pearce-trained Storm Catcher has been a very smart type on the all-weather, winning at this level on the surface back in early 2024. His recent form has been slightly below his best however. A second runner for the Nick Bradley Racing outfit would be Stanage, trained by Mick and David Easterby. The well bred four year old bounced back to his best over six furlongs at Doncaster and was unlucky in a seven furlong contest at Newmarket the next time. Julie Camacho would saddle the improving Dingle for a rare start on turf. All of the seven year old's wins have come on the all-weather, but he is a smart performer when on song. Iain Jardine's Mr King made his stable debut in a hot contest at York last summer and went on to finish third at Ayr next time. The grey has taken part in some very good handicaps and been a bit-part player. The locally based Theme Park broke a long losing streak here in July, albeit over a slightly longer trip. Nigel Tinkler's five year old has a decent enough record at York so a good run wouldn't be a surprise. Charlie Johnston's Urban Sprawl has taken his racing very well during a busy spell that went through the winter. The gelding ran another solid race at Newmarket when fourth at big odds recently. 

Winner: OLD COCK (#7) (Calyx x Love Potion) - C. Rodriguez - E. Bethell

This ultra competitive contest could be won or lost at the start, so a clean getaway would boost the chances of those involved. Ryan Moore was keen to bag a good position from his central stall in gate thirteen, nosing ahead into the overall lead on Sisyphean as the field passed the trees. Urban Sprawl would take up his usual position close to the lead and he would be joined by the Romieu rounding the bend. Old Cock would also be on the scene as the pack reached the far end of the home straight as La Trinidad and Alzahir brought up the rear. 

The pack would shun the far rail this time, racing more towards the middle of the track. Sisyphean remained the narrow leader with many chances lining up behind. As the race began to heat up, Romieu moved up stylishly alongside Sisyphean to look a big threat under Sam James. Urban Sprawl would then make it a three way battle for the lead approaching the final furlong. Ryan Moore needed to be at his strongest to wrestle the lead back from Urban Sprawl with Sisyphean responding to every urging. The race had one more twist to come as Old Cock came with a strong late burst under Callum Rodriguez and swept past his battling rivals and got up on the line, winning by half a length. Sisyphean had done everything right until the line to return in second, while La Trinidad overcame plenty of trouble in running to take third, just ahead of the game Urban Sprawl. 

It would be a case of progression resumed for the winner Old Cock, who extended his record to a healthy four wins from eight starts. The son of Calyx only made his debut thirteen months ago, but quickly made into a useful handicapper. With wins at Ayr and two at Haydock last summer, he looked set for a good season in 2025. He would be a strong fancy for the season opening Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster in March, but the combination of soft ground and being hampered at an early stage would make that race a write off. Ed Bethell's four year old has a likeable profile and repeated the stable's win in this race last year, where Point Lynas developed into a listed race winner. A similar path looks entirely possible for Old Cock, with bigger targets to aim for this year.

Race Three: The Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies' Stakes - Group Two - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 8

The first of two quality Group Two races would take place, the first being the Middleton Stakes over ten furlongs. This is always an invaluable prize to aim at for older fillies and mares as they will gain black type which makes their future broodmare profile even more attractive. Some high quality horses have landed this race down memory lane, including Promising Lead, Midday, Lah Ti Dar and Ambivalent, all of whom went on to score at Group One company. There would be no bigger name of the race's roll of honour than last year's winner Bluestocking. The four year old would memorably land the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe for Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan.

Heading the racecard would be the James Owen-trained Ambiente Amigo, who has been placed in lower company but showed up well when winning on hurdling debut over the winter. It would be a unique path to this race, but her trainer continues to grow in reputation. Godolphin would interestingly supplement Beautiful Love into this race and she would develop into a bit of a globetrotter with wins in Dubai and America last year. She would only manage third to an impressive winner at Newmarket on her comeback run. One of the best bred horses in training would look for more black type earnings as Doha lined up for Ralph Beckett. The daughter of two Arc winners won at Royal Ascot and a listed race last season but stayed in training for another year. Karl Burke has used this race to propel Poptronic to Group One success in recent seasons and was looking to do the same with a similar type, Karmology. The five year old won a handicap here before finishing second in two listed events. She would need to improve further this year. The Owen Burrows-trained Nakheel had a light season last year, but quickly developed into a talented filly by winning the Park Hill Stakes over fourteen furlongs at Doncaster. She had previously placed in a listed race over course and distance to prove she has the gears for this test. Royal Dress improved significantly since joining the James Tate stable last year, winning a Group Three over a slightly shorter trip. She is  reliable sort but has yet to race over this far. Kalpana would be a notable absentee for Andrew Balding, but he would instead be represented by See The Fire, a very smart filly who landed a Group Three contest over nine furlongs at the Ebor Festival last year. The filly is bred in the purple and wasn't beaten far in last year's Champion Stakes. Making her UK debut would be Sioux Life, from the Marco Botti stable. She was a prolific winner in her native Italy, winning a Group Two there, but also showed a liking for softer ground.

Winner: SEE THE FIRE (#7) (Sea The Stars x Arabian Queen) - O. Murphy - A. Balding

A very classy field of eight would go to post and all the morning money would be placed on See The Fire, who would be sent off a short priced favourite. From the start, Doha would set off into a narrow lead under Hector Crouch, but would be contented to dictate a steady pace. She would be joined early on by Karmology and Sioux Life on her British debut. Nakheel would race just behind the leaders, but pulled hard early on, losing her chance with each stride. The main protagonists would race further back, happy to watch on from afar. 

As the race began to pick up, Karmology would take over in front as Doha began to fade away. Ambiente Amigo would also make her move to dispute the lead, but the eye was drawn further back to the Jeff Smith silks of See The Fire, who travelled ominously well under Oisin Murphy. The filly would cruise up to the leading pair and quickly brushed them aside. See The Fire would gallop clear of her toiling rivals with fresh air all around her. The filly ate up the ground, extending her lead with each stride. Even by the final furlong, the race was all over as See The Fire surged away, crossing the line twelve lengths clear to record a stunning success. Winning the race for second would be Godolphin's Beautiful Love, who plugged on from the rear to deny Royal Dress for the silver medal position as Ambiente Amigo finished a well beaten fourth.

Group races are very rarely won by this sort of distance and See The Fire made some very talented fillies and mares look ordinary in a memorable display. Andrew Balding's four year old would be winning for just the third time in her career, but that would tell only half of her record. She would improve gradually last season, finishing fourth in the Coral-Eclipse, runner up in the Nassau Stakes and third in the Sun Chariot Stakes during the summer. Her 2024 ended with a solid sixth in the Champion Stakes at Ascot, behind some high class horses. She would disappoint on her seasonal reappearance at Sandown, where she tailed off in fifth, but she was in desperate need of the run as it showed here. An electrifying performance on the Knavesmire could see her emulate last year's winner Bluestocking and finally win at the highest level. As a daughter of Sea The Stars and the Juddmonte International winner Arabian Queen, she was always likely to improve with age. A return to York in August for this year's Juddmonte could be on the cards for this brilliant filly.

Race Four: The Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes - Group Two - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 11

Next up would be the highlight of the three day meeting, the Dante Stakes. This traditional Derby trial has produced the most Derby winners from the recognised trial races. The race enjoyed a golden spell during the 2000's where North Light, Motivator and Authorized all landed the Derby following success here and the trend would continue recently with Golden Horn in 2015 and Desert Crown in 2022. In recent years, there has been a trend of this great race producing top class horses who didn't go on to win at Epsom. The likes of Roaring Lion, The Grey Gatsby and Hurricane Lane all going on to bigger things during their career. Last year saw the unlikely emergence of Economics. William Haggas's colt had only won a maiden a few weeks earlier but showed a devastating turn of pace to win by six lengths. He would miss the Derby all together, but proved how good he is by winning the Irish Champion Stakes in September.

This year's running would see the usual collection of Britain and Ireland's biggest hopes of Derby glory and it led to a brilliant line up. Charlie Appleby landed the 2000 and 1000 Guineas last week, the first two classics of the year, and he would be represented solely by the unbeaten Alpine Trail here. The son of Dubawi has won all three starts very easily and was supplemented at a late stage into this race. A son of Frankel, Damysus, took his place here for the John and Thady Gosden stable. He would go into plenty of notebooks with a stylish debut win at Southwell last December and produced a pleasing effort in the Sandown Classic Trial last month when a staying on second. A second runner for Godolphin would be Devil's Advocate, a second runner for the Gosdens. After a wide margin win in maiden company, he would struggle to handle Epsom's track when only sixth there for their trial race.  Ed Walker's Mister Rizz showed promise on his debut second at Kempton in April and went on to break his maiden tag at Doncaster in a low key novice race earlier this month. He did the job very nicely though and is seemingly well regarded.  The promising grey Nightwalker swapped stables over the winter to John and Thady Gosden and showed potential to win a good race this year with a staying on third in the Fielden Stakes at Newmarket last time. Another with seemingly unknown talent limits from the Ralph Beckett stable would be Pride Of Arras. The stoutly bred colt looked inexperienced on debut last summer, but pulled right away at the finish to make an impressive debut win at Sandown. Andrew Balding won this race with The Foxes two years ago and would be represented this year by Royal Playwright. The nicely bred colt ran well in pattern company as a two-year-old but took a step backward when third on the all-weather recently. Sea Scout has already taken a Derby trial victory this season as he caused a big surprise to win the Blue RIband Trial at Epsom. This would be the next step on the road back to the famous venue. One of the ante-post favourites for Epsom made his belated racecourse return, Aidan O'Brien's The Lion In Winter. The twice raced colt has a very big reputation following his debut success and boosted his profile in the Acomb Stakes where he broke the course record time, beating the subsequent Guineas winner Ruling Court in the process. Amo Racing would also be represented in this high profile race with the unbeaten Tuscan Hills. The Raphael Freire-trained colt made it two from two by forging clear at Pontefract and winning a listed race over a mile. The James Owen-trained Wimbledon Hawkeye would complete a star studded lineup and returned to the scene of his Acomb Stakes second last summer. He went on to win the Royal Lodge later in the year, but found the Guineas a sharper test than ideal last time out. 

Winner: PRIDE OF ARRAS (#6) (New Bay x Parnell's Dream) - R. Ryan - R. Beckett

The biggest race of the meeting brought with it plenty of talking points beforehand, but the field lining up would be a very classy one. The returning colt The Lion In Winter would be popular in the betting and Aidan O'Brien's representative would arrive at the start as favourite. He would soon give causes for concern by sweating up and looking hesitant to enter the stalls. With some encouragement, he slowly walked into his gates.

The Dante would get underway and all the pre race talk would be answered in a few minutes' time. The twice raced Mister Rizz blew the start and lost many lengths at the start, losing most if not all chances at the start. Godolphin's second string Devil's Advocate would move into a narrow lead under Benoit de la Sayette, but would set a slow gallop early on. The steady pace would light most of the runners up, none more importantly than The Lion In Winter, who refused to settle down the back straight. Wimbledon Hawkeye would race in a close up second as Alpine Trail was trapped out wide passing the trees. Sea Scout would also over race early on, but held a good position on the inside rail. Ryan Moore eventually regained control of The Lion In Winter, but some of the damage had already been done as the field turned into the home straight.

The pack would choose the central line of the course and the pace began to rise with potential Derby dreams up in lights. Sea Scout would make his challenge alongside Devil's Advocate, but Wimbledon Hawkeye also moved stylishly into contention. As the field bunched up and fanned out, Pride Of Arras faced a wall of horses in front of him. A small gap opened up between Sea Scout and Devil's Advocate and Rossa Ryan's mount squeezed through and into daylight. The colt quickened away smartly to emerge with the Dante prize in his hands. From the wide outside, Damysus's unique facial markings were spotted making good late headway to chase down Pride Of Arras. It would be a case of too little too late as the previously unheralded Pride Of Arras announced himself to the racing world, winning this key race by a length and a quarter. Damysus would also enter Epsom calculations by taking second, with Wimbledon Hawkeye keeping on into third, a place ahead of long time leader Devil's Advocate. Plenty of disappointment would surround The Lion In Winter, who returned in sixth, but he would clearly improve for this comeback.

In a race where many of the runners held solid chances, it would be a relative unknown who took the spotlight. The Ralph Beckett stable continues to rise on the big stage and now have a genuine Epsom Derby contender with Pride Of Arras. The son of New Bay had raced just once before, but made a smart looking debut at Sandown, quickening clear over seven furlongs back in August. The form of that race could be deemed questionable, but there is no doubting the ability of the winner. A half brother to Sweet Fantasy and Patient Dream, who both won over a mile and a half on the flat, there should be no stamina doubts for the colt at Epsom. Pride of Arras wasn't slowing down approaching the line which makes him an exciting prospect for the Derby and beyond this year. 

Race Five: The British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes - Listed Race - Five Furlongs - Runners: 7

After the Derby betting market received its customary shake up following the Dante Stakes and a new contender for Epsom had emerged, the dust began to settle with this speedy five furlong sprint for three-year-olds. The listed contest often sees the return of last year's leading sprint juveniles as they begin the next stage in their careers and put to bed the debate regarding if they have trained on. Some high profile names can be found on the roll of honour, including Profitable, Pearl Secret and Winter Power; all of whom became Group One winners later in their careers. Twelve months ago, the rapid Big Evs made a comfortable winning return to action for Mick Appleby and he then went on to win the King George Stakes at the Glorious Goodwood meeting that summer. 

This season's field of speedsters would be headed by the very classy Aesterius for the Archie Watson stable. He would carry a penalty here having won the Group Two Flying Childers at Doncaster last summer and wasn't disgraced at the Breeders Cup when last seen. This would be a good starting point for an exciting sort. The flag bearer of John Gallagher's stable, Captain Kinsella made rapid progress on the all-weather through the winter by winning twice in good style. He was very unlucky on his return to the turf when getting no run at all at Sandown. The Karl Burke-trained King Of Light took a while to get off the mark, but went on to run well at this level during the summer. He would pick up a second win of the season later in the year but hasn't been at his best recently and looked a little exposed. Last year's winning stable of Mick Appleby would be represented by the smart Mr Lightside. He would hold a good chance on form lines with his Group Three third at Goodwood and there wasn't much wrong with his recent comeback run at Chelmsford. The first of two Irish representatives would be Sir Yoshi from the David Marnane stable. The gelding used his experience to finish third in the Roses Stakes here last August and has since run with credit in two starts this year. Aidan O'Brien would represented in this sprint race as well as he saddled Treasure Isle in this contest. He possesses plenty of pace and landed a listed race during his first full season. He was just below Pattern company level at times so might be hard to place this year. Andrew Balding can train sprinters just as well as stayers and would rely on Tropical Storm, who returned to the scene of his listed race win in the Roses Stakes in August. That was his only win to date and the talented colt shaped well on recent comeback at Newmarket. The first of the fillies in the line up would be Karl Burke's  Miss Lamai, who finished second in the Marygate Stakes a year ago at this venue before running very well in higher grades. She looked in need of the run on her first start of this year over in France. The Richard Hughes-trained Star Of Mehmas was another with a good first season as she landed three races on the bounce including a listed event at Ayr. She then showed she had trained on with a close up third at Chelmsford recently. 

Winner: TROPICAL STORM (#7) (Eqtidaar x Avon Breeze) - O. Murphy - A. Balding

The field would be reduced by two on the morning of the race as Aidan O'Brien's Treasure Isle and the Karl Burke-trained King Of Light were deemed non runners.

It would still leave a talented field of seven sprinters who arrived here from different paths, but were all in good form. Star Of Mehmas would anticipate the start very well and got away to a flyer. She would blaze into the early lead under Ryan Moore, but was soon joined by Aesterius. The nose banded Tropical Storm was also showing good speed early on, just behind the two leaders as the remainder of the field raced in close proximity. The pack had covered half of the race within a matter of seconds and soon they were facing up to the final stages. Tropical Storm soon took over second place from Aesterius, who in turn emptied very swiftly. Miss Lamai also made her move from the rear to make it a three way battle. As Star Of Mehmas briefly looked as if she would hold on, Tropical Storm came with one last push under Oisin Murphy to inch ahead at the line. Star Of Mehmas was unlucky to lose out by the bob of the head. On the far side of the trio, Miss Lamai was also right there, a further neck behind the front two. The first five finishers would be covered by just under two lengths, to confirm the quality of the race.

Tropical Storm is now a two time winner and both success have come in a listed York race. The son of Eqtidaar showed high class form last summer, which included finishing second as a maiden in the Group Two Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. After a low key run at Goodwood, he would belatedly get off the mark in the Roses Stakes at the Ebor Festival over course and distance in August. Returning at Newmarket earlier in the month, the colt would take on some speedy older horses in the Palace House Stakes, but he struggled to land a blow in a race that suited those raced prominently. With a liking for York, connections will be tentatively looking to return to the Ebor Festival this summer with the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes as the ultimate goal.

Race Six: The Frank Whittle Partnership EBF Novice Stakes - 2-y-o Only - Six Furlongs - Runners: 12

The view to the future would continue with this juvenile novice race that often has the potential of unearthing a quality horse. This would also be the first six furlong novice of the season, so the race would also see the covers taken off some more stoutly bred runners.  Last year, the race would go to the Karl Burke stable as the newcomer Andesite looked professional on debut and got up close home to deny Yah Mo Be There, who also went on to win a listed race himself. 

Heading the lineup would be the Karl Burke-trained Jan Steen, who carries the silks of Amo Racing. The expensive purchase looked very professional at Thirsk when pulling well clear and making a good first impression. Godolphin would also hold an interest in this race as their recent winner Wise Approach put his unbeaten record on the line. The colt has a high class pedigree and cost a million pounds at the sales before making an pleasing debut at Ascot in a conditions race two weeks ago. Richard Hannon's First Legion would make his debut in this contest and is bred for a little bit further as a half brother to an unbeaten miler in the form of Lady Of Spain. Kevin Ryan's juveniles are always highly respected at York and he would introduce Full Gas in this contest. The chestnut colt is bred more for speed, so might have a few more gears than his rivals.  Adrian Keatley's Going Commando was relatively unfancied for his debut at Beverley last month and after a steady start, he was never involved. The racecourse experience he picked up will be a small advantage though. The Middleham based yard of Charlie Johnston would introduce their newcomer Isambard Kingdom in this contest. The colt is bred to be speedy and would make the shortlist of genuine contenders. A second runner from the Kevin Ryan stable would also make his debut, Kinnalargy. Like many others, the colt has a mix of pace and staying power in his pedigree so there will be plenty of options going forward. The Richard Spencer stable went close with a newcomer in this race last year and relied on Romeo Montague for this year's renewal. The yard often produce nice juveniles so it will be interesting to see what the market thinks of his chances. Amo Racing would be doubly represented in this contest with the newcomer Side Deal, trained by Raphael Freire. He is the first foal of a mare who placed three times over a much longer distance, so would be an interesting starter at sprinting. Richard Fahey's juveniles also demand plenty of respect with Royal Ascot on the horizon and he would introduce Spaceman in this race. The Starman colt is bred to have lots of speed so looked to be a contender on paper. The Archie Watson stable would send up Tadej for this contest and the colt showed a good level of promise on his debut recently. He would finish on the heels of the winner in fourth in a good quality conditions race at Ascot. The field was completed by the sole filly in the line up, Nigel Tinkler's Lina Codina. The daughter of Sergei Prokofiev should win races in time, but this looks to be a very warm race to debut in. 

Winner: FIRST LEGION (#3) (Mehmas x Navette) - S. Foley - R. Hannon 

The sprinting action would continue with plenty of inexperienced horses in the line up, but the majority of them behaved very calmly in the parade ring. Only the newcomer Full Gas would take everything in and become slightly vocal walking around the paddock, but soon settled into race mode.

The race would get underway with a clean break and from the outset, Jan Steen went straight into the lead; just as he had on debut. He would be chased by market rival Wise Approach in the opening exchanges with the keen going Tadej, Romeo Montague and Isambard Kingdom in close proximitity. A few runners would be slow from the blocks, including the second Amo Racing runner Side Deal and Full Gas. At the halfway stage, signs of inexperience would begin to show as towards the back, Kinnalargy drifted to his right, carrying Full Gas and Going Commando with him; effectively ruining their chance of winning. As the field approached the final furlong, the novice race looked wide open. Jan Steen continued to bravely hold off his rivals as Wise Approach travelled stylishly for Godolphin. There would be a potential surprise on the cards as Side Deal weaved his way through beaten horses to burst through into the lead. Just as it looked set for an Amo one-two, First Legion appeared on the scene to take all of them and come clear at the finish. Crossing the line a length and a half to the good, it would be a smart performance on debut. Side Deal ran with plenty of promise into second, with the two previous winners Jan Steen and Wise Approach finishing third and fourth respectively.

It would be a second juvenile winner for the Richard Hannon stable in the same ownership in the space of 24 hours, following on from Ballistic Missile's debut win on Wednesday afternoon. This would be a good start to the Mehmas colt's career as he showed a telling turn of pace inside the final furlong. He is a half brother to the unbeaten, listed race winning filly Lady Of Spain so there is some class in his immediate family, but even further down the pedigree comes the excellent miler Real World, emphatic winner of the Royal Hunt Cup and latterly a Group One runner up. With a superb family and the ability already confirmed on track, First Legion looks set to be a good juvenile this season. Races like the Coventry Stakes, July Stakes and Gimcrack later in the season are likely to feature this classy colt. 

Race Seven: The Haxby Handicap - Class Three - One Mile, Four Furlongs - Runners: 8

The day two closing contest would be a tricky looking class three handicap for three-year-olds only and just like many others, this race often has a bearing on the rest of the season. With plenty of unexposed and improving stayers in the lineup, eventual Royal Ascot and St Leger runners have emerged from this race over the years. The tough and talented Al Qareem landed the first running of this race in 2022 before making his name in Group company. Last year, the very smartly bred Winter continued his rise through the ranks for the Aidan O'Brien stable.

The weights for the finale would be headed by Ralph Beckett's Anniversary. The newly gelded three year old made a winning debut at Newmarket last September before running with credit when second on his next two starts on heavy ground. Roger Varian's Rahiebb was a late non runner in Lingfield's Derby Trial over the weekend which shows the regard he is held in. The son of Frankel is bred for this trip and made a good impression when winning on debut, but was caught on the line at Haydock last time out. Pantile Warrior kept finding one horse too good on a number of occasions last year, but John and Thady Gosden's gelding got off the mark at the first try this year at Chelmsford. He would race too keenly last time out and moved even further up in trip. Andrew Balding's Tuscan Star had a good time of it on the all-weather by winning three in a row at the start of the year, but his win streak came to an end at Wolverhampton after pulling too hard in the early stages. William Haggas has won this race in the past and would be represented by Merchant, who has improved with each run. A strong finisher over a mile and over ten furlongs, this extra yardage could suit him even better. Karl Burke's Last Galileo won nicely at the second attempt before being moved into pattern company for his comeback run, the listed Fielden Stakes at Newmarket. He did plenty of the donkey work early on and weakened away on the softened ground. The relatively small scale yard of Jim Best would take on some of the best with Many Men. The gelding won twice over ten furlongs but looked moody on his latest start at Sandown, he would need to bounce back over this new distance. Staying handicappers are what the Charlie Johnston stable usually excel with and they would be represented by Novelista in this contest. The colt bumped into some talented winners in all three starts last year and looks ready for this step up to twelve furlongs. 

Winner: MERCHANT (#5) (Teofilo x Ceistiu) - T. Marquand - W. Haggas

The race would get away to a good break and those drawn on the far side would end up in front. Last Galileo in stall seven and Merchant in stall eight would stay wide for just over a furlong before easing their away across and to the head of the field. Rahiebb would chase the two leaders along with Tuscan Star and Anniversary, who recovered from a tardy start. 

Making their way around the Knavesmire loop, the order would remain mostly the same as Last Galileo was happy to bowl along in front and Merchant chasing him in second. The remaining runners Novelista, Pantile Warrior and Many Men would bring up the rear as the pack raced in close proximity to each other. Rounding the home bend and into the home straight, Last Galileo began to look vulnerable in front. Approaching the two furlong pole, Merchant would move into contention on the bridle and Tom Marquand looking very confident. The gelding was unleashed and responded immediately to open up a healthy advantage towards the final furlong. As Last Galileo weakened away, Rahiebb took over in second and gave chase to the runaway leader. His efforts would prove futile as Merchant continued to pull away approaching the finish, crossing the line two and a half lengths to the good and returning to winning ways. Rahiebb would finish second for the third time while Many Men and Pantile Warrior did their best work at the finish to take third and fourth places in that order. 

The winner Merchant looks to be the type that the William Haggas does well with in staying handicaps in recent seasons. The Irish bred son of Teofilo has improved steadily since his debut back in November. Strong finishes would prove a regular trait of his in his final two starts of 2024, missing out narrowly at Newcastle before doing well to win from so far back at Wolverhampton around Christmas time. His three year old campaign began at Newmarket during the Guineas meeting, stepping up to ten furlongs and making his handicap debut. Once again, he would stay on well at the death and was beaten only a length in third. Moving even further up in trip and a change to prominent tactics brought out this impressive victory. A half brother to a four time winner over twelve furlongs, Merchant will surely be aimed at valuable handicaps at Ascot, Newmarket and Goodwood, with the Melrose Stakes at the Ebor Festival also a viable target.