Race One: The Sky Bet "Race To The Ebor" Handicap - Class Two - One Mile, Four Furlongs - Runners: 12

The action on the Knavesmire in 2025 would kick off with a valuable and competitive looking handicap over the trip of twelve furlongs. It serves its purpose as a trial race for the Ebor Handicap, one of York's most famous races of the entire year which takes place in August. With a prize fund of £1,000,000, the Ebor is an even tougher race to get a run in, but this race holds a "win and you're in" status, meaning the winner gets an automatic spot in the lineup for the summer spectacular.

A strong lineup of hardy handicappers and unexposed rising stars would take their place in this year's renewal, looking to emulate the win of Crystal Delight in 2024. Top weight would be carried this year by the classy See Hector from the Jamie Osborne yard. The six year old entire has been running very well in Group company in Europe for most of his career and finished in the places in more pattern races in Dubai when last seen. This would be his British and handicap debut. Naqeeb comes from one of the most successful families in racing as a half brother to Baaeed and Hukum, but his form faded away over two miles last summer. He would join the Julie Camacho stable over the winter and is a high class arrival for the Malton yard. Keeping up the international theme would be Max Mayhem from the Hilal Kobeissi yard. The seven year old has plenty of experience to his name, but landed a good prize out in Dubai earlier in the year before running below par on the all-weather back in Britain last time out. Alan King's talented dual purpose horse Paradias lined up at York once again having run well here in the past. The six year old improved further on the all-weather on the winter and would return to turf in much better than previous seasons. King's Code has been kept very busy in all kinds of races for the David Evans team, but the gelding clearly thrives on racing. After winning on turf at Pontefract last month, he was in action as recently as four days ago when placed at Lingfield. Yorkshire-born William Haggas enjoys winners at York and would saddle The Reverend in this season opening contest. The four year old looked useful on slower ground last year but was outpaced over slightly shorter on his last start in October at Doncaster. The late developing four year old Almosh'her was narrowly denied in remaining unbeaten in three starts earlier this year and has now joined the Karl Burke stable. A photo finish would go in his favour last time out and he made his turf debut in this strong looking contest. The sole David O'Meara representative would be the talented Stressfree. The very smart handicapper had a good year in 2024 and even won over hurdles during the winter. He has produced two more excellent efforts back on the flat this season. Andrew Balding's Plage de Havre has raced almost exclusively on the all-weather so far and progressed well over the winter. His profile would take a hit recently though when pulled up at Newcastle on Good Friday. Another returnee to York would be Kevin Ryan's Dark Moon Rising, who has won over course and distance in the past. The six year old was in decent form on the all-weather over the winter, but was unable to get involved in a competitive contest on Finals Day. The Raceshare syndicate have enjoyed success at York in the past, including this race two years ago. They would be represented by Charlie Johnston's La Pulga, who is a typically tough and game sort from the yard. Another former York winner in the past would complete the line up, Marhaba The Champ for the Kevin Ryan stable. The chestnut won at this meeting and the Ebor Meeting in 2023, but he was very disappointing last year. He would merely plug on into a midfield placing at Pontefract last time out. 

Winner: ALMOSH'HER (#7) (Sea The Stars x Orange Sea) - C. Lee - K. Burke

Bright blue skies and brilliant sunshine would bring in a warm welcome to racing on the Knavesmire as this competitive handicap got underway. The twelve strong field would exit the stalls in orderly fashion and the jostling for positions would begin after a few strides. La Pulga would be hustled along from his wide draw and found himself in a narrow lead under Jason Hart. As the race settled into more of a flow, the early gallop would be just a steady one. Racing in second would be held by Almosh'her with the keen going Marhaba The Champ close on his tail. The likes of Paradias, Plage de Havre and King's Code as those to race in midfield included the well supported The Reverend, the hard pulling Naqeeb and See Hector. The field would make their way along the back straight at this ordinary pace and there would be little change in the order. 
La Pulga would continue to press ahead up front, rounding the home bend at the four furlong point and kept the chasing pack on the far side rail as the race began to heat up. Marhaba The Champ looked to be a threat entering the final third of the race, but his effort would be short lived. La Pulga's time in the lead would come to an end as Almosh'her took over in front as Mark Johnston's runner weakened quickly. With horses making forward moves and others going backwards, there would be some meetings in the middle. Plage de Havre would be briefly checked in his run, losing ground at a crucial stage. The eye was also drawn to The Reverend, who attempted to make up ground from the rear. Paradias would also sit and suffer in the pack, but Stressfree enjoyed a clear passage into contention. He would take dead aim at the leader Almosh'her, who had gone clear in the final furlong under Clifford Lee. As the leading pair did battle, they would in turn pull clear of their rivals and had a private set to in the final stages. It would be a case of heads up and heads down with the line coming up quickly. The first race would see a thrilling finish, but it would be Karl Burke's Almosh'her who outbattled his fellow county-mate Stressfree by an official margin of a head. A further two and a half lengths would stretch back to Plage de Havre in third, comfortably ahead of the fourth placed Paradias. The Reverend could manage only fifth, but it was a solid effort on ground that would be too quick.

This race often goes to an unexposed, potential improver and it would be the case once again as the four year old Almosh'her became York's first winner of 2025. The son of Sea The Stars has seemingly had issues earlier in his career as he made his racecourse debut in the final days of 2024. Trained by Charlie Fellowes, he would make a winning debut at Kempton over a mile, showing a good attitude to win by a neck. He would be stepped up to a mile and a half next time at the same venue, but raced too keenly before losing out by a head. His third and final start for the Fellowes stable would see a winning handicap debut, once again at Kempton, beating an experienced sort by a nose. Following that run, he would move North to Middleham and the Karl Burke stable where he has settled in well to make a winning start on turf. His willing and likeable attitude should continue to see him in good stead in races of this nature, with the possibility of stepping into pattern company. An automatic qualifier for the Ebor Handicap, Yorkshire now have a leading contender in August's famous handicap. 

Race Two: The Churchill Tyres Handicap - Class Two - Six Furlongs - Runners: 16

The competitive action would continue with a second very difficult puzzle to solve in the form of this six furlong handicap. There would be plenty of regulars at this level looking for more success and some old favourites too. Last year, the trophy stayed in Yorkshire as the Kevin Ryan-trained Aleezdancer showed he can win away from Doncaster with a clearcut victory, becoming the seventh winner of the race from the region since 2013.

Top weight in this classy contest would be carried by the Karl Burke-trained Korker, who has been a standing dish at York in recent seasons. Be it over five furlongs or six, the gelding often runs very well here; usually after a slow start with a fast finish. The six year old made a low key return to action on a rare start on the all-weather last month. The Michael Dods yard would be well represented here, firstly with the talented Commanche Falls. Now an eight year old, he has a good record at this course and lined up in the Group Two race on this card last year. The first of the Newmarket challengers would be Holkham Bay from the William Knight yard. The five year old progressed rapidly last year and picked up a lower quality race here in June. A return to this venue will undoubtedly suit him. The Kevin Ryan-trained We Never Stop regained some of his smart form over the winter on the all-weather and arrives here in search of a hat trick. The four year old scored in two valuable contests at Southwell and Newcastle respectively. Another locally based runner would be Ramazan for the Richard Fahey stable. The five year old has plenty of class on his day, as shown when third in listed company last October, but his two runs this year have been on the quieter side. A second runner for Michael Dods would be the relatively unexposed Glenfinnan. The five year old won at class three level twice last year but had the ability to finish fifth in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot in the summer. Brave Empire would make his debut for the Ivan Furtado in this warm contest and would have the recent form to go well. This would be the grey's first run in almost ten months. The Richard Fahey-trained Prince of Pillo had more race fitness having been kept on the go on the all-weather. The former listed race winner has found form this year with a pair of wins in decent company and would need to transfer it back to turf. Another grey in the field would be the Bryan Smart-trained Secret Guest. The five year old ran very well in defeat throughout 2024 with his one poor run coming in a similar contest to this one in October. He has since regained form by winning recently at Thirsk. Richard Spencer has plenty of talented sprinters in his yard and would send up Two Tribes for this race. The four year old thought he had won at Newmarket recently, only to be denied to by two last gasp finishers on the line. Another former York winner would line up on the Knavesmire once again, Kevin Ryan's Bergerac. The seven year old has shown a liking for the all-weather, but his best form on turf tends to come later in the year. The Eve Johnson Houghton-trained Change Sings has a lightly raced and progressive profile as the five year old finished in the placings twice this year. He won twice last year and should be open to more success. Dark Thirty won the seven furlong handicap on this card two seasons ago, but is largely inconsistent nowadays. Richard Hannon's five year old won first time up at Doncaster in March but ran poorly at Newmarket the next time. It has been almost four years since First Folio's big win at this venue, but his progressed stalled. Despite winning at Yarmouth last September, Julie Camacho's grey has struggled in two starts this spring. Rousing Encore finished placed in a Group Two at his very best, but has been frustrating to follow in recent seasons. His current trainer Ruth Carr should be able to find a race for him in the near future. The in form Mister Sox has been a regular at a lower level for Tim Easterby, but has won all three starts this season and now steps into this much more competitive pot with a low weight.

Winner: ROUSING ENCORE (#16) (Acclamation x Jolie Chanson) - J. Sullivan - R. Carr

The focus would switch from stamina to speed, but the contest would be just as hard to unlock. The grey First Folio would make the best start of all and took up a narrow lead on the far side rail. Korker would make his customary hesitant start from the stalls and found himself shuffled towards the rear of the pack. Sprint handicaps often split into two groups, but with a smaller than usual field, the pack would race as one down the far side of the course. First Folio would bowl along at an average pace and was hassled by Dark Thirty in the opening couple of furlongs. Bergerac would also race front rank along with Change Sings on the stands side of the pack. Towards the rear came Holkham Bay, Rousing Encore and the slow starting pair of Korker and Ramazan. 

Inside the final furlong, the race would change complexion as First Folio was quickly disposed of. Rousing Encore had travelled strongly throughout the race and quickened up smartly into contention. Just as Dark Thirty inherited the lead and was producing a much better effort, he was joined and passed by the strong finishing Rousing Encore, who pulled clear to win by a comfortable length and a quarter. Dark Thirty could only manage second, just ahead of the fast closing Korker and Two Tribes. 

Locally based trainer Ruth Carr has a knack for reviving horses who have struggled for form and she has worked her magic with Rousing Encore here. The five year old son of Acclamation was very smart as a juvenile for Richard Fahey, finishing second in the Group Two Mill Reef Stakes behind Sakheer. He would struggle for a few seasons after that, but his rating would drop in the process. Moving to the Stillington stable of Ruth Carr in August 2024, Rousing Encore would return to the winner's enclosure just over a month later. He would continue to run well in defeat, finishing just outside the placings on a numerous of occasions. Quick ground and a competitive contest brought the best out in the gelding and he should continue to run well in the near future.

Race Three: The 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes - Group Two - Six Furlongs - Runners: 8

The action would remain at the six furlong starting point, but the quality began to ramp up with the first Group race of the year at York, the Group Two Duke Of York Stakes. The contest is often used as a stepping stone for numerous high class horses as they prepare for some of the biggest races later in the season. This race is a honourable prize on its own and has seen the likes of Harry Angel, Highfield Princess, Tasleet and Starman all winning here and going on to win at Group One level.The trend would continue last season as Jane Chapple-Hyam's Mill Stream got up in the final strides to win before winning the July Cup later that year.

This year's lineup would see a relatively low turnout despite the good prize money on offer, which would be slightly disappointing. Nonetheless, some of the fastest talent in the country would take their place at the start. Elite Status has always been held in high regard by trainer Karl Burke and he landed a Group Three last July. However, he has yet to break through at Group One level so that will be the aim this year. Last season's top sprinter Inisherin returned for another season, providing owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid al Maktoum with a strong hand. Kevin Ryan's colt landed the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in easy fashion but then disappointed on his next two starts. He has since freshened up for a big season this year. Clive Cox's smart sprinter Kerdos has better form over five furlongs, which includes a victory in the Temple Stakes last year and this would be his first start at the trip in over two years. A second runner for the Karl Burke stable would be Marshman, who has looked better than ever this year. The five year old gelding won on his first start of the year on the all-weather, but has run well in defeat on both artificial surfaces and grass this spring. Karl Burke would also saddle the exciting Night Raider, who was a big talking horse before last year's Guineas. He failed to reach the heights expected, but he returned to form with a pair of dominant wins on the all-weather over the winter. Mick Appleby isn't afraid of aiming high with his horses and he has stepped Royal Zabeel into pattern company this year. The four year old landed a listed race on the all-weather before running with credit in the Abernant Stakes last month, showing his potential on turf. There would be two fillies in the line up, the first of them being Andrew Balding's Flora Of Bermuda, who landed a Group Three against her own sex over course and distance back in July. She would then produce a career best when third to Kind Of Blue in a Group One on Champions Day. She would be joined by Rage Of Bamby for the Eve Johnson Houghton stable. The five year old also has a good record at York and landed a good handicap here in July. She signed off for 2024 with a much deserved listed race win and moved up in grade here.

Winner: INISHERIN (#2) (Shamardal x Ajman Princess) - R. Moore - K. Ryan

There would be a brief wait for the runners as Night Raider spread a plate arriving at the stalls, which would require some on the spot shoe replacement. The race would soon get underway and the classy field of eight sprinters made their way back home with the grandstands in the distance. 
Night Raider, following his footwear repairs, showed his customary blazing speed under Oisin Murphy to hold the overall lead. He would be shadowed in second by Rage Of Bamby with the keen going Kerdos coming next. The Sheikh Obaid pair of Inisherin and Elite Status would race next to each other in fourth and fifth, followed by Marshman who got away to a sluggish start. Rounding out the running order would be Flora Of Bermuda and Royal Zabeel who were ridden patiently. 

Night Raider continued to tear up the ground in front and approaching the final furlong, held every chance of the win. The petrol gauge would soon flash on empty though and he was headed by the smooth travelling Inisherin and Ryan Moore. The filly Flora Of Bermuda made her challenge at the furlong pole, but had to maneuver around some of her rivals. She finished with a flourish and put it up to Inisherin inside the final fifty yards. The two four year olds would go head to head, but a strong Ryan Moore drive encouraged Inisherin to find just a little bit extra and put his neck in front on the line. The front two pulled almost four lengths clear of Night Raider back in third with Elite Status slightly unlucky in running back in fourth. 

It would be a return to form for Kevin Ryan's high class sprinter Inisherin, whose season ended on a flat note last year. After defeating the subsequent Group One winner Kalpana in a maiden at Newcastle in early 2024, he was aimed highly at the 2000 Guineas in May last year, finishing a very creditable sixth. He would drop back to six furlongs however, but he delivered a pair of brilliant successes in Haydock's Temple Stakes and then at Royal Ascot in the Group One Commonwealth Cup. He would run below his best in the July Cup and Sprint Cup later in the season, but a winter to freshen up has clearly paid dividends. A return to the highest level looks likely with the Diamond Jubilee, July Cup and Sprint Cup all on the agenda for Kevin Ryan's sprinter. The colt is the latest star from the extremely talented family of Reem Three which includes the likes of Ostilio, Triple Time and Afsare. 

Race Four: The Tattersalls Musidora Stakes - Group Three - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 6

The co-feature race of the day would be this often crucial trial for the Epsom Oaks, the Musidora Stakes. The ten furlong test has a good record of producing Classic winners and in recent history, Sariska, Snowfall and Soul Sister have completed the double. Other winners of this race may have tasted defeat in the Oaks, such as So Mi Dar, Emily Upjohn and Lush Lashes to name a few, but all of them went on to win at the highest level.  Twelve months ago, the race looked a weak renewal and saw Secret Satire cause a surprise win for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy. However, the tailed off favourite Friendly Soul would go on to outperform the others by landing a French Group One for the Gosden stable later in the year.

The talented field of fillies for this year's race would be headed by Go Go Boots.The John and Thady Gosden stable have a great record in this race and would saddle the unbeaten their filly has he shown plenty of speed to win twice around Lingfield and did so in the style of a talented filly. This would be a much tougher test though. The Ed Walker-trained Miss Tonnerre looked a useful prospect when winning on debut last summer before running well when fourth in the May Hill at Doncaster. She shaped like a middle distance sort and made her first start over this trip. Serenity Prayer made a winning debut only a month ago at Newbury, but Andrew Balding's runner is clearly well thought of and could be a last minute contender for the Classic. The first of two runners for the Ralph Beckett team would be the unbeaten Smoken. She is bred to stay long distances and finished strongly to win a listed race at Newmarket when last seen in November. The second Beckett filly in the line up would be Tattycoram, who benefitted from a smart, tactical ride last time when breaking her maiden tag at Sandown over this trip. She would need to back that effort up however. The final runner would be the chosen one for Aidan O'Brien, Twirl. The daughter of Wootton Bassett landed a Group Three last season, but was below form when making her seasonal reappearance over a mile. The Ballydoyle battalion have made a clean sweep of the classic trials so far so would be looking to continue the trend. 

Winner: WHIRL (#6) (Wootton Bassett x Salsa) - R. Moore - A. O'Brien

The feature event would get underway with all six fillies getting away to a level break. With plenty of natural front runners in the field, the pace would be a relatively good one. The green silks of Tattycoram would nose into a narrow lead over the crossing, but she would be pestered by market rivals Whirl and Go Go Boots. As the field rounded the dog leg bend after two furlongs, they would settle in more of a rhythm and Tattycoram would gain control of the race. Go Go Boots would be relegated to second alongside Whirl as the remaining trio of Miss Tonerre, Smoken and Serenity Prayer would race at the rear.

The field continued to use the far side of the course and the race began to heat up. At the halfway stage of the home straight, Ryan Moore niggled Whirl into a narrow lead, but she would travel powerfully. Tattycoram's hard work came to an end as she weakened back through the field and the inexperienced Serenity Prayer was briefly outpaced at a crucial stage. Whirl began to pour on the style as she opened up a gap between herself and the rallying Go Go Boots and Serenity Prayer. The race was as good as over as Whirl continued to pull away and crossed the line some five and a half lengths to the good. The race for second was much closer as Serenity Prayer confirmed her promise with second, just ahead of Go Go Boots. Another wide gap would follow back to the fourth, Tattycoram. 

The Aidan O'Brien stable have landed all of the recognised Epsom Derby and Oaks trials so far this season and the run would continue with the emphatic success of Whirl. The daughter of Wootton Bassett is a distant relative to the dual Guineas winner Hermosa and another Group One winner, Hydrangea. With such a classy pedigree, it came as no surprise that she has been held in high regard by her trainer. Her previous experience of York came in last season's Convivial Maiden at the Ebor Festival where she stayed on into fifth. She would then return to Yorkshire on her next start by winning at Doncaster's St Leger festival before rounding out her first season with a Group Three success at the Curragh. Her comeback run would lack encouragement as she trailed home in sixth against older rivals, but that came over a mile. Stepping up to ten furlongs, she saw the new trip very well. Her Epsom Oaks claims would be quickly quashed by Aidan O'Brien, who already has two leading contenders with Minnie Hauk and Giselle. A trip to France for the Prix de Diane could be more of a viable option for this exciting filly over ten furlongs and better days look to be ahead for Whirl. 

Race Five: The Conundrum HR Consulting Handicap - Class Three - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 14

After the drama and excitement of the Group races had settled, the focus switched back to handicaps and this three-year-old only handicap looked to be a tricky contest. This seven furlong event can often determine many horses seasons as it gives evidence of their ability to stay this intermediate trip or not. In recent seasons, the top class Space Blues took this race for Godolphin on his way to the highest level, while Wobwobwob would land a valuable handicap a few years later. 
Last year, the race showcased how difficult it is to solve as Mick and David Easterby's Diligent Resdev came with a late run to get up on the line at big odds, but it would be a popular local winner for Yorkshire. 

Carrying top weight here would be Brian Ellison's filly Perfect Part, who produced a major shock to win the Hilary Needler Stakes at Beverley on debut last year and went on to prove it wasn't a fluke, Following a good reappearance fourth at Doncaster, she failed to handle the all-weather on her most recent start. Milford was an impressive debut winner last year for the Karl Burke stable and rounded the season off with a listed race third here in October. Over the winter, he moved to the Julie Camacho yard and stepped up to this trip for the first time having ran averagely on his seasonal reappearance at Newmarket. The potential improver in the field would be the Ed Walker-trained Red Sand. The son of Too Darn Hot built on a debut second and has now won twice. The latest would come on the all-weather and he has a nice upward curve. The nicely bred Jolly Roger won in smart style last winter at Kempton before losing out in a three way photo finish at Wolverhampton behind Red Sands. There would be little between the reopposing rivals here. In the silks of last year's Dante winning owner, Andrew Balding's Gallant has shown a fair amount of ability. He would defeat the now very smart West Acre last autumn and has now finished fourth in both starts this year. The locally trained Lesley's Boy won twice over shorter trips last year before handling seven furlongs nicely on the final start of the year. He would reappear at Pontefract last month, but showed some quirks and weakened quickly out of contention. The Richard Hannon stable would look to win this race once again with Best Rate. He would be successful over this trip on the all-weather, but has raced over a mile for the majority of time; including in handicap company last time. The Michael Dods yard always aims for winners at York and would saddle Eve's Boy here. The gelding landed a decent looking maiden at Ayr in September before taking part in a valuable handicap at Doncaster when last seen. He would remain unexposed in a race like this. Rare Change would make his debut at this meeting last year and went on to have a busy season in 2024. Richard Hughes's gelding eventually broke his maiden tag on his most recent start by pulling clear in a handicap over six furlongs. This would be his first try at the trip. The gelded Green Pursuit hopped across Malton to the Adrian Keatley stable and made a winning debut for the yard at Catterick in a lower grade. He then confirmed his wellbeing with a very close second at Ripon in April and would be another moving up in grade. Tattie Bogle would line up next for the Charlie Johnston stable. After winning on his final start of 2024, the grey has been slightly disappointing in two starts this year, both starts over six furlongs. One of the most consistent horses in training at the moment is the Jennie Candlish-trained Frankies Dream. The gelding has finished in the first two eleven times already this year, a record that was boosted by his recent second at Beverley where he finished strongly to the line. The first of a couple of Tim Easterby runners would round out the field. The first would be Double Parked, who improved with each run this year to bravely hold on to the win at Redcar last time out, his first career win. His stablemate Miss Hathaway was another who took a while to get off the mark, but she did so in nice fashion at Pontefract recently. She has run well at this course in the past already.

Winner: RARE CHANGE (#9) (Mehmas x Plus Ca Change) - H. Crouch - R. Hughes

Punters would have yet another challenging race ahead of them with this three year old handicap over seven furlongs. There would be a slightly messy start as the quirky Lesley's Boy veered to his right from stall twelve, carrying Rare Change and Eve's Boy off a true line. Avoiding the trouble, the grey Tattie Bogie got off to the best start under Andrew Mullen and went straight into the lead. Racing in second would be Double Parked, along with Frankies Dream, Red Sand, Green Pursuit and the favourite Gallant.
The field swept around the bend into the home straight and the grandstands would grow larger with each passing stride. Tattie Bogle would still hold onto the narrow lead for all his might, but the challengers would form a queue in behind. With the pace increasing, the messy nature of the race would continue and plenty of horses would suffer from interference; none more so than Gallant who faced a wall of horses. Milford had travelled well to the two furlong pole and took over the lead from Green Pursuit. The Richard Hannon-trained Best Rate was next to challenge inside the final furlong and nosed ahead of Milford in the final strides. From even further back, Rare Change flew down the outside and the forward momentum saw the gelding inch ahead on the line, getting up by a nose. Just a neck would split the first three as Milford produced a better run back in third and Perfect Part back in fourth, who suffered a nightmare passage during the race. The order was dictated by the lucky ones and the unlucky ones, with Gallant, Eve's Boy and Red Sand all suffering notable interference.

The winner Rare Change has been a transformed character this year for the Richard Hughes yard and remained unbeaten in 2025. The son of Mehmas topically made his debut at last year's Dante Festival, where he finished tailed off in the six furlong novice race, but since then he has improved with racing. A trio of third placings would be the best finishes of 2024 and one of those came at the Glorious Goodwood meeting which showcased his ability. Over the winter, he underwent a gelding operation, which has brought about some improvement. Making his seasonal return at Windsor over six furlongs, he would bolt up in good style and coped well with this new trip by getting up in the dying strides. It will be harder for Rare Change to remain unbeaten in stronger company, but he has plenty of options throughout the season over a range of distances.

Race Six: The British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes - 2-y-o Only - Class Two - Five Furlongs - Runners: 6

The stars of the future would be next to take their turn with this often informative sprint novice for juveniles. The five furlong contest is a race that is a "blink and you'll miss it" event, but it has repercussions for bigger races later in the season. Previous winners of the race include Santry, Project Dante and Mon Na Slieve, all of whom went very close to winning at Royal Ascot for Yorkshire.  Last year, the leading stable of Richard Fahey would be successful with the well backed Shadow Army, who did plenty wrong during the race but finished best of all to win narrowly.

The class of 2025 would be a small but select field. Tim Easterby's Under The Radar looked a shade unlucky when fourth on debut, but built on the promise to produce a speedy display and win at Thirsk recently on his second start. First of the newcomers would come from the Richard Hannon stable in the form of Ballistic Missile. The son of Mehmas is bred to be smart over further, but seemed to be a forward type by making his debut in this contest. The locally trained Bravo Hotel would give the race an inter-family clash as he lined up for the Mick and David Easterby stable. The son of Land Force made a promising debut at Pontefract when finishing a fast closing third. A John and Sean Quinn's Frio missed an engagement at Chester last week and came here instead. The Havana Gold colt made his debut in a warm looking contest at Musselburgh and showed plenty of encouragement behind an exciting winner. Karl Burke is another stable who does very well with newcomers and took the wraps off Roy Lane for this contest. The colt is a half brother to two very speedy types who did well in pattern company so would be made for speed. There would also be a throwback in the contest as Utmost Respect made his debut for Richard Fahey. The colt shares his name with a top class sprinter during the 2000's and this generation's colt comes from a classy family himself. 

Winner: BALLISTIC MISSILE (#2) (Mehmas x Taawfan) - S. Foley - R. Hannon

With such a select field, the loading process would be swift and hitch-free, which would be relief for the handlers with this inexperienced line up. One of the most experienced runners, Under The Radar would get away to a rapid start and strode out into the early lead. Bravo Hotel would join the leader after a furlong and the pair would get racing from an early stage. The keen going newcomer Utmost Respect came next along with Frio, who also raced with enthusiasm. The newcomers Roy Lane and Ballistic Missile were slightly slow from their respective stalls, but were never more than a few lengths behind the leaders. Approaching the final furlong, Frio became unbalanced and started to hang to his left. That would in turn hamper Utmost Respect as the leader Under The Radar began to fold. From the rear, Ballistic Missile came around the wing of the group and quickened smartly to lead under Shane Foley. He would gain first run, but the race wasn't sealed just yet. Utmost Respect got himself out of trouble and once in the open, he rattled home inside the final furlong. In a battle of the debutantes, it would be the Richard Hannon-trained Ballistic Missile who got his career off to a perfect start with a half length victory. Bravo Hotel would finish third for the second time, just ahead of the awkward Frio in fourth,

Richard Hannon's two year olds always demand respect as there aren't too many trainers who can ready juveniles to win first time out as often as the Hannon yard. The latest one would be this smartly bred son of Mehmas, who has been enjoying a purple patch of winners as a sire. The colt is the first foal of a winning mare, who in turn is a descendant of the high class 1000 Guineas winner of 2001, Ameerat. With Royal Ascot on the horizon, it wouldn't a surprise to see Ballistic Missile line up in either the Windsor Castle Stakes or Norfolk Stakes in mid-June.

Race Seven: The Stuey Weston & Friends Getting Out Handicap - Class Four - One Mile, Four Furlongs - Runners: 14

The finale of day one would see the action do a complete circle and start at the same point as the opener, over twelve furlongs. This contest is a little weaker than the first race, but remained a good quality contest for its class four status. The most high profile winner of this race in recent years has been the Adrian Keatley-trained Kihavah, who won this race back to back in 2022 and 2023 and has since turned into a superb dual purpose horse, finishing second in last season's Ebor Handicap along the way. Twelve months ago, the race saw a very easy winner in the form of Dancing In Paris, trained by Ian Williams. He would cruise through the race and pull well clear in the final stages 

Richard Hannon's Great Bedwyn held the option of the opening contest here, but connections chose this easier task. The gelding has run moderately at York in the past, but is a strong stayer as shown when second on his latest start over a mile and six furlongs. Adrian Keatley clearly likes this race and would be represented this year by Maghlaak. The six year old is bred in the purple but has been of modest ability. He won twice over hurdles during the winter and posted a good effort in fourth on his most recent start on the flat. Ed Dunlop's Don Simon is another with a beautiful pedigree but hasn't been able to live up to it so far. The gelding is slowly getting the hang of things and was narrowly denied on his latest start at Chelmsford. The Andrew Balding-trained Cello has raced almost exclusively on the all-weather and posted some good efforts in defeats earlier in the season. His recent starts were poor though and this would be his first start on turf since 2022. Another Newmarket challenger would be Papagei from the James Ferguson stable. The four year old won twice at a lower level but progressed nicely with a good third at Musselburgh on his recent comeback race. The popular Ey Up Its The Boss has been a stalwart of the Tony Coyle and Kaine Wood stable and continues to run well. The six year old finished third in the final race at York in 2024 before returning with a brace of fourth placings this season. The Middleham Park Racing-owned Lightning Company has been around the block and has been a classy operator in the past. The seven year old's last win came over hurdles last summer and continued to run well in defeat. The Tim Easterby yard would be doubly represented here, firstly with Kitsune Power whose only win of 2024 came over a slightly longer trip at Thirsk, but he ran well there over this trip last time out when finishing second. Richard Fahey's Glistening Nights won four times during a busy 2024 and seems to have carried his form through to this year when fifth in a stronger event at Pontefract. Churchella was campaigned largely as a stayer last year and won here in July over two miles. His stamina is assured as he makes his debut for the Phil Kirby stable. Last year's winning stable of Ian Williams would look to repeat history with Whathappensinvegas, who held a similar profile to last year's winner. The four year old won twice over slightly shorter trips before finishing a close up third at Haydock recently. The lightly raced grey Capla Lazarus lined up for the Mick and David Easterby yard on the back of a smart looking victory in handicap company at Redcar, the first of his career. The likeable grey Molinari has won at this level in the past and over course and distance so he would tick plenty of boxes. Martin Todhunter's eight year old won twice on the all weather over the winter and posted a good effort back on turf at Pontefract last time out. Another veteran in the field would be Saratoga Gold for the Kevin Frost stable. The seven year old ran with credit throughout 2024 for his new connections and is a guaranteed stayer at this trip. The quirky but talented Masekela hasn't won in over four years now, but has threatened to return to winning ways for the Tim Easterby stable. The six year old finished strongly into second at Hamilton last time out.

Winner: GREAT BEDWYN (#1) (Showcasing x Mistress Quickly) - S. Levey - R. Hannon

The field for the finale would be reduced by one as Whathappensinvegas would be deemed a non runner for last year's winning trainer Ian Williams, but it left a competitive field of fourteen. 

Ey Up Its The Boss would make the best getaway from the stalls and would take up the lead in the opening stages as the remaining runners followed closely, tightly bunched. The well fancied Don Simon would come next in the order alongside the keen going Lightening Company and blinkered Maghlaak. Cello was also close up under Oisin Murphy, but had to race wider than ideal from his outside berth. Towards the rear, Glistening Nights watched on patienty, with the slow starting Churchella and keen going Masekela for company. The pace set by the leader Ey Up Its The Boss would be just a steady one as the pack ambled around the Knavesmire with very little change in the running order. The race began to heat up halfway down the home straight as Cello nosed into a slight lead. His effort would be short lived however as he was swallowed up by his rivals. Maghlaak had travelled through to lead two furlongs out and it looked like the Keatley stable would pick up another win in this race. The grey Molinari went with Maghlaak at the two furlong pole and began to make a race of it. As the two battled, the purple silks of Great Bedwyn would emerge from the pack, plugging on under Sean Levey. The assured stayer then went eyeball to eyeball with Maghlaak inside the final furlong and the momentum of Great Bedwyn brought him alongside Maghlaak. In another exciting finish, it would be the neck of Great Bedwyn who reached out the furthest and get the win on the line. Maghlaak ran a very good race in second with a gap of two lengths to Saratoga Gold, who stayed on into third, just ahead of the weakening Molinari.

At the six day entry stage for this race, Great Bedwyn was assigned this race as well as the much more competitive class two race at the start of the day. With connections opting for this race, it looked like a tip within itself and so it proved with the five year old's fourth career win. Earlier in his career, the son of Showcasing looked to be a promising middle distance handicapper with two wins as a three year old. A last gasp win at Newbury in July last year opened up the potential of running over longer trips and he would attempt a mile and six furlongs as well as two miles. He would show mixed form over those distances last autumn where his best effort came at Southwell over two furlongs longer than today. He may not win stylishly, but he is the sort to grind it out in battling style and that temperament will see him in good stead for the future.