Race One: The WIlliam Hill More Top Prices Handicap - Class Three - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 15

The two day meeting would kick off with a typically competitive handicap that started from the seven furlong chute. This class three contest would feature some horses who have previously run well at a higher level and others who had the potential to be much better than this grade. Twelve months ago, the resurgence of Tolstoy would continue as Brian Ellison's gelding won for the third time in a row over course and distance.

The weights would be headed by Streets of Gold, who is now trained by Julie Camacho. The five year old was very smart earlier in his career, staying unbeaten as a juvenile and placing in a Group Three, but his form went backward in recent times. He would show a little more encouragement when fourth recently on stable debut. An improving sort in the line up would be Dubai Treasure, in the colours of Godolphin for trainer Saeed bin Suroor. The four year old has made just four starts so far, but was a wide margin winner on the all-weather last time out and remained totally unexposed. Another who is more of an all-weather specialist is Talis Evolvere, trained by Richard Hannon. The gelding has shown he is capable on the turf with good efforts in very strong handicaps in the past. Tom Clover would saddle Fifty Nifty in this contest and his runner is another lightly raced horse to date. The four year old has won twice already and looked to be unlucky last time out in a Royal Ascot handicap. Orne began his career with the Gosdens and ran to a fairly good standard, before losing his way. He would step up to the intermediate trip of seven furlongs in a bit to snap his losing spell. The likeable veteran Documenting is now a twelve year old, but he still appears to enjoy the job for Kevin Frost. The twelve time winner has been running well this season, including at Doncaster where he finished fourth in a blanket finish. The Pam Sly-trained Physique has run well on many occasions since winning at the Galway Festival last year and would look for a first win since his return to this country. Another horse who swapped stables at the start of the season would be Sword. The four year old didn't live up to expectations at the John and Thady Gosden stable and moved up North to David O'Meara. Winning as recently as early June, he would finish in the placings a week ago. Richard Fahey would also run Silent Move, who was in good form last year, including a wide margin win at Musselburgh in November. Since the turn of the year, he has run poorly twice over a mile. The grey Mr King was capable of some good form in Ireland and after a promising start for the Iain Jardine stable, he has been out of form this year. Obelix would line up for the Julie Camacho stable and made a rare start over seven furlongs here. The gelding's stamina emptied out over nine furlongs here a month ago. Gemma Tutty's mare Ormolulu has been in excellent form this year, especially at Southwell, but she posted a career best when finishing third in a class two race over six furlongs here in June.  Fortamour has been an excellent servant for the Ben Haslam stable over the years and the nine year old has continued his love affair with Ripon by placing twice there this year. It Just Takes Time is another who has been a part of the furniture at Yorkshire racecourses Mark Walford's runner often runs with credit over a range of distances and is a former York winner too. Completing the field would be another York regular, the Michael Herrington-trained Feel The Need. He would come good in an amateur riders' race in June but failed to back that effort up over a mile last time.

Winner: OBELIX (#12) (Sea The Stars x La Mortola) - S. James - J. Camacho

The afternoon's racing would get underway to a relatively even break from these experienced types and Hollie Doyle would send the gelding Physique into an early lead along with Orne, Dubai Treasure, Talis Evolvere and Fortamour. Towards the rear, Sword and Ormolulu would miss the start by half a second and would already be on the back foot. The early gallop would be no more than an average one as the field made their way around the dog leg turn which took them into the home straight. Physique would still hold onto his advantage, but approaching the two furlong pole, the challengers began to make their move. Dubai Treasure inched closer under Cieren Fallon while Fortamour was the next to join the leader. As the pace began to increase, Talis Evolvere was slightly outpaced and the chasing group began to fan out across the track. From the rear, Ormolulu's red silks were spotted travelling nicely, but she would face a wall of horses at a crucial time. Obelix was another to make headway from the back of the group and weaved his way through into contention. Dubai Treasure would lead inside the final furlong, but long time leader Physique wouldn't lie down without a fight. As the pair did battle down the centre of the track, Obelix quickened up smartly closer to the stands' side and was suddenly clear of all his rivals. Eased down, the five year old would cross the line a length and a half to the good over Physique in second as Talis Evolvere rallied into third, relegating Dubai Treasure down into fourth.

The outcome of the race would be a reminder of Obelix's ability and that he is a talented sort on his day. After joining the Julie Camacho stable at the start of 2024 for high profile owners Nick Bradley Racing, the son of Sea The Stars has been relatively highly tried in good quality handicaps. His most recent win came at Haydock in September 2024, where he had to overcome traffic issues on that day as well. This year, the gelding has been raced solely at York and Thirsk so far. A reappearance fourth in April was followed by a low key run in the Thirsk Hunt Cup. Running at Thirsk for the third time this year, he returned to form when fourth again at this level, but his latest start would see him finish tired over nine furlongs here in June. Dropping back down to seven furlongs, Obelix still needed luck throughout the race and the gaps came at the right time to return to winning, ways. Looking a better horse since recent wind surgery, Obelix will have to confirm his improvement next time, but is clearly a good horse when it all falls right.

Race Two: The William Hill Summer Stakes - Group Three - Fillies & Mares - Six Furlongs - Runners: 11

The feature of the afternoon would see some pattern grade racing with this valuable Group Three race. Not only is the race valuable in terms of prize money, but a win or placing here will be crucial to the prospective breeding career once the horses retire. The six furlong has turned into a pointer for higher quality horses as recent winners of this race have gone on to run very well in Group One company. Former winners of this race include Ladies Are Forever, who won three renewals, Flotus in 2022, Group One runner up Swingalong in 2023 and last year, Flora Of Bermuda who finished best of all in a thrilling four way finish before taking third in the Champion Sprint Stakes at Ascot. 

Last year's high class juvenile Arabian Dusk has yet to prove she has trained on this season for the Simon and Ed Crisford stable. After winning at Group Two level last year, she then finished third in a Group One. This year, her best effort came when a close second at Haydock in May. Ed Walker's Celandine would make her seasonal return to action following an excellent first season. Improving with each run, she land the Lowther Stakes last August and that form has turned out to be very strong. Electric Storm is a smart type at listed level, but has yet to win a Group race so far despite going close on a few occasions. The five year old was a narrow second at this level last season to show she is capable. David O'Meara's filly Nighteyes finished second in the novice race on this card two years ago, but has graduated rapidly through handicaps to make an impact in Group company. The four year old posted a career best when fourth in a Group One at Royal Ascot recently. Eve Johnson Houghton's Rage Of Bamby has a good record at York, including a valuable handicap win last year. She hasn't been at her best this season though with two heavy defeats. Henry Candy has trained some very classy sprinters in the past and he looks to have a smart one with the mare Tiger Bay. The five year old caused a bit of a surprise by winning a listed race earlier in the season and her latest defeat could be blamed on the extra furlong at Haydock. The lowly rated but locally trained Beaujolais Nouveau would be a big race runner for Ben Haslam here. The three year old has a good record in small handicaps, but wasn't disgraced on her first try at listed company last time out. Another lowly rated runner looking to gain some valuable black type would be Enola Holmes from the Jack Jones stable. She has previously finished in the midfield in Group races this year, but finished well down the order in a big handicap at Royal Ascot last time. William Haggas would saddle First Instinct here and his filly has been creating a decent profile so far. After winning a listed race, she then upped her form when third at Group Two level two starts ago so would be in the mix. The Clive Cox stable would be represented by the three year old Hold A Dream. She has just one win to her name, but has been very unlucky not to add more as she has been pipped on the line in listed races. Rogue Sensation looked to be a promising sort for this year after finishing in the frame of listed races, but she could only manage fourth in a handicap here last month. She would make a quick return to pattern company here. The Richard Hughes-trained Sayidah Dariyan has emerged as a high class sprinter this year and continued her progression with a fourth in the Commonwealth Cup, a Group One at Royal Ascot. 

Winner: SAYIDAH DARIYAN (#12) (Dariyan x Tencaratrubieslace) - B. Loughnane - R. Hughes

The blazing sun and clear skies meant that this year's Summer Stakes was ideally named. The sole withdrawal in the race would be Beaujolais Nouveau, but she would have an almighty task based on ratings anyway; the leading protagonists stood their ground.
From the outset, Rage Of Bamby would burst into the lead from the stalls in her newly fitted cheekpieces. The returning Celandine would also show some early speed down the main straight. Fellow three-year-old Arabian Dusk would also race towards the front, but slight away from the main body of runners under Harry Davies. Tiger Bay, Hold A Dream, First Instict and Rogue Sensation would all help to set a decent gallop and the field was already approaching the final two furlongs. The larger group of runners began to merge into one as Rage Of Bamby was in the process of running a much better race. With space at a premium, the three year old Sayidah Dariyan was finally sighted in the pack, but was stuck in a pocket with Billy Loughnane. The smallest of gaps began to emerge and her young rider guided her to the right and into clear air. Once she was free, Sayidah Dariyan showed an instant turn of foot to open up a gap within a matter of seconds. Nighteyes had to endure a similar path through the race, but could only give chase in vain as Sayidah Dariyan would take the feature comfortably. Back in third, last year's Lowther winner Celandine ran an excellent race on her comeback, finishing just ahead of another leading juvenile from last year, Arabian Dusk.

The Group One form would come to the fore here as Sayidah Dariyan and Nighteyes, two horses who finished fourth in Royal Ascot Group One contests last month, would take the first two spots in this Group Three event. The winning three year old has emerged from seemingly nowhere this year as she continues to get better with each run. She would win for the first time last year by an amazing thirteen lengths at Lingfield before taking on listed company on her final start of the year. Returning to action in April, she would win once again on the all-weather, this time at Chelmsford in a useful class two event. She would begin to show her quality with a staying on third at Newbury in the listed Carnavon Stakes before producing a career best at Royal Ascot. Running in the Commonwealth Cup, she would race in the unfavoured central group, but overcame the adversaries to stay on into fourth, beaten just over a length. Taking this drop in class, this was a suitable contest and although it didn't go fully to plan, a return to the highest level looks likely as the filly holds an entry in the Nunthorpe Stakes here in August and it is worth noting that three year olds as well as fillies have a good record in the race. 

Race Three: The Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Irish EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes - 2-y-o Only - Class Two - Six Furlongs - Runners: 6

Next up, the action would remain focused on the filles with this novice contest for two-year-olds. With the season approaching its halfway point already, connections will already be looking the big target races later in the season and into next year with their runners here. In recent seasons, the six furlong dash has been won by Group-class sprinters such as the 2022 winner The Platinum Queen who went on to win the Prix de l'Abbaye later that year. In 2023, Clive Cox introduced Symbology for a debut win before she featured prominently in Group contests. Last year, the Malton yard of Sean and John Quinn would take this race with Royalty Bay, who returned to winning ways having competed at Group Three level previously.

Heading the field of juvenile fillies would be Bosa Nova from the Ralph Beckett stable. The daughter of Churchill showed a good attitude to win at Chepstow on debut a month ago, but would have to carry a penalty against her rivals here. The Karl Burke stable have been firing in two year old winners left right and centre this year and would saddle Aylin here. She is bred to be speedy so would be a threat on her first start. Richard Hughes would be represented by the once-raced Calling A Star. After a steady start, her luck wouldn't improve throughout the race at Newbury where the race was seen as a bit of a write off. First time out runners from the Kevin Ryan stable regularly run well here and Douwantitrightnow would be the latest to make her debut. She is a half sister to a useful stablemate and from the Aga Khan dynasty. The Roger Varian-trained Secret Echo has a fancy pedigree and her ownership suggests she was an expensive purchase as a yearling. The daughter of Wootton Bassett comes from a Coolmore family, so should have ability from the word go. A second newcomer for the Kevin Ryan stable would be Zaina Zarak, in the silks of Jaber Abdullah. She is the first foal of a listed race winner, so could be bred to be smart. 

Winner: BOSA NOVA (#1) (Churchill x Vallambrosa) - H. Crouch - R. Beckett

The contest would seemingly only focus on half of the six runner field, but a pair of horses emerged with a reputation boost after the race. 
The market support would be strong for the newcomer Aylin, who cost connections £600,000 and she was also in receipt of four pounds from the previous winner Bosa Nova. As the gates opened, it would be Bosa Nova who was sent to the front under Hector Crouch and held a narrow lead over Aylin. After a steady start, Secret Echo would regain some ground and settled into third, just ahead of the keen going Calling A Star. The two Kevin Ryan runners Douwantitrightnow and Zaina Zarak would bring up the rear and show signs of inexperience. The two leaders would still remain eye to eye approaching the final two furlongs. Aylin briefly looked like she had the upper hand into the battle, but Bosa Nova put up a determined fight. The two fillies would continue to duel inside the final furlong and in a pulsating finish, crossed the line together. A photo finish was called an a nervy wait was underway for the punters. After a short pause, Bosa Nova was announced as the winner and remained undefeated. Aylin would produce a very pleasing debut effort in second and fellow newcomer Secret Echo showed promise in third. Fourth would go to Calling A Star, who stepped up on her debut and wasn't beaten far. 

In a race in which the order changed very little throughout, the Ralph Beckett-trained Bosa Nova had to do it the hard way. The daughter of Churchill is a half sister to a few modest types, including the nineteen-race maiden Inspiring Speeches who has finished second a few times. This filly made a winning debut at Chepstow just under a month ago where she defied the challenging undulations of the Welsh venue and looked professional at the finish. The race terms in novice races traditionally disadvantage previous winners which means horses that are able to win twice at this level are often very useful. An entry in the Group Two Lowther Stakes at the Ebor Festival here in August suggests she is well regarded and she could return in search of giving her trainer more success on the Knavesmire.

Race Four: The Azets Handicap Stakes - Class Four - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 10

The action would move to the round course for the first time with this middling quality race over ten furlongs. Last year's running was won by Karl Burke's filly Karmology, who battled gamely to overcome Bint Al Daar with the staying on Stressfree taking third. The subsequent form of those three horses made it a strong renewal as Karmology has finished second in four listed races, Bint Al Daar has run to a good standard while Stressfree landed a valuable staying handicap earlier this year and is very consistent.

This year's group would have to go a fair way to emulate last year's top three, but it made for an interesting contest. Heading the weights would be George Boughey's Classic Encounter, who needed every yard of the nine furlongs here in June where he got up in the final stages. Since then, he ran well to finish fourth back over a mile, so he is holding his form well. The well named Dain Me Nut In lined up for the Lucinda Russell stable and improved at the end of last year to win three in a row. Despite this, he has yet to race over further than a mile, so this would be a test of stamina. The Tim Easterby stable would rely on Financer, who ran one of his better races over course and distance last time out in an amateur riders' event where he finished second. Another recent winner at York to line up on the Knavesmire would be Dawn Of Liberation from the Ruth Carr stable. The formerly smart gelding has found his winning boots by landing three out of his last four starts. Ben Brookhouse's I Still Have Faith posted a good effort when third behind Financer here two weeks ago and looks likely to regain the winning touch soon.  The Ian Williams-trained Beylerbeyi had a good spell last year, winning four times, but he has struggled so far this year. He was tailed off over a mile here last time out and stepped back up in trip. Another runner from Newmarket would be Charming Whisper from the Phil McBride stable. The gelding suddenly found form by winning at Yarmouth at a lower level, before running well in fourth at Sandown last time out. John Butler's Yokohama has been generally consistent this season and produced another good run over course and distance back a month ago, behind Dawn of Liberation. The Malton-based stable of Richard Fahey would rely on Up The Jazz, who has a decent record at York and showed he was still in form by finishing second at Beverley last time in a lesser race. A second runner for Richard Fahey would be Glistening Nights, who won four times last summer and has continued to run with credit this year. He seems to have a knack for finishing just outside the top four, including here two weeks ago. 

Winner: DAIN MA NUT IN (#2) (Phoenix of Spain x Jive Lady) - D. Tudhope - L. Russell

This ten furlong contest looked tricky to solve as all ten runners were seperated by just thirteen pounds on official ratings.

As the race got underway, the Scottish-trained Dain Ma Nut In would make the best start and led the pack narrowly into the first bend. Heading down the straight that passes the trees, Dan Tudhope was able to stretch the legs of his mount Dain Ma Nut In and the horse would comply by extending the lead to over five lengths. There would be practically two races going on as the leader reached the home bend some eight lengths clear, but Glistening Nights sat at the front of the chasing pack, ahead of Yokohama, Up The Jazz and Financer. The jockeys in the pack were seemingly confident that the leader would fade away and come back to them, but the panic began to show as Dain Ma Nut In continued to move strongly at the three furlong pole, still well clear of his rivals. The whips would be called upon for the languishing peloton, but the leader had already done the damage. Dain Ma Nut In had built up an unassailable lead and needed to be pushed out to take a very easy win, the margin reduced significantly, but still a comfortable two and a half lengths to the the good. I Still Have Faith would stay on into second along with Beylerbeyi, but the pair were unable to make an impact.

It would be a bizarre race to witness, but also an excellent front running ride by Yorkshire's leading rider Dan Tudhope. With no guaranteed front runner in the lineup, winning connections decided to make all the running on a track that suits front runners. Clear by as many as ten lengths at one point, Dain Ma Nut In was able to gallop freely down the home straight and never saw another horse. It would be a fourth career win for the four year old, who has come good of late. The son of Phoenix Of Spain ended last year in top form, winning three races in a row at Ayr and twice at Musselburgh. He would start off this year with an excellent third in class two company at Musselburgh, but wasn't at his best on his latest two starts. It would also be a milestone first winner at York for trainer Lucinda Russell. The dual Grand National winning trainer is showing her capabilities as a dual purpose stable of late. 

Race Five: The Laura Barry Memorial Handicap - Class Four - One Mile - Runners:11

Next up would be a well contested class four handicap for three year olds only over the distance of a mile. With plenty of differing profiles lining up here, it would be an interesting contest and it could produce horses to follow for the rest of the season. Last year, the race saw a dominant winner as Kevin Ryan's Sisyphean made all the running to win easily. Since then, he has returned to finish a close second at class two level at this year's Dante festival as well as ninth in the Royal Hunt Cup.

This year's running would see Marco Botti's Spirit of Leros carry top weight. The colt was tried in listed races last season and even had a spell in Dubai earlier this year. Since returning to Britain, he has improved with each run and finished a very close second at Yarmouth last time out. Richard Fahey's Far Ahead is well bred and got off the mark at the start of this season at Catterick, but ran poorly here over ten furlongs and was quickly dropped back in distance. Dylan Cunha's Zarathos is another consistent type who has yet to win, but has placed six times this year. The gelding has been narrowly denied on some occasions so will be deserving of a first win. The sole runner for the David O'Meara stable would be Obito, who landed his first win two starts ago at Hamilton. He would be a bit unlucky after a slow start at Doncaster where he was unable to get a clear run at the finish. The progressive filly Mahra's Love would represent the William Haggas stable here. After a series of placings, she would get off the mark on her latest start at Kempton, but this would be her first start over a mile. The locally trained Jamaican Storm looked to be unlucky on his last visit to York where he was hemmed in over seven furlongs. He would return to the all-weather last time out for his first try over a mile and ran with credit in sixth. Tim Easterby is always well represented at York and would saddle Off Spin in this contest. The gelding finished third on debut, but has since finished fifth in all starts since then, so needed to find some improvement. Denis Coakley's runner Barry's Boy began to improve after moving up to a mile and won nicely on his penultimate start. However, he would be extremely unsuited by the layout of Chester where he ran very wide around the bend and lost all chance of being competitive. The gelding Precious Spartan has been revitalised by a switch to the predominantly National Hunt stable of Patrick Neville. Since his stable move, he won twice in quick succession, albeit at a lower level. There would be an interesting Irish runner as veteran trainer Arthur Moore sent over Withoutfurtherado for this contest. The gelding has produced his better runs over seven furlongs, which offers hope with this ambitious target. Another runner for the Malton yard of Tim Easterby would be the consistent Perfidia. The gelding appreciated a winter break to return in good form this year, finishing second three times before winning on his first try at a mile at Ripon. He would lose out narrowly last time at Beverley so remains in good heart. 

Winner: MAHRA'S LOVE (#5) (Dark Angel x Rosadora) - C. Fallon - W. Haggas

This would be a fascinating contest with plenty of potential improvers and in form types. The early pace would be set by the grey, market leader Mahra's Love. She would joined up front by David O'Meara's Obito and the pair would dictate a sensible pace in the opening stages. Zarathos would sit in a handy position just behind the front two, alongside Barry's Boy approaching the home bend. Jamaican Storm and Far Ahead would make sluggish starts and found themselves further back in the order than ideal, in company with the Irish challenger Withoutfurtherado.

As the field straightened up for home, the pace began to increase. The leading pair remained in the same positions approaching two furlongs out as Withoutfurtherado would make steady headway on the far side of the group. Obito would be the first to weaken of the front runners, but Mahra's Love kept on finding extra under strong pressure from Cieren Fallon. Withoutfurtherado would close with each stride, but the win would go to Mahra's Love by a comfortable length and a half. Zarathos would finish in the top three once again by taking third, while Obito returned home in fourth in a race which not many got involved.

Horses from the William Haggas are often feared at this level as they have potentially been slow to come to hand and are now progressing into smart types. This could be the case for the filly Mahra's Love, who has the potential to climb the ranks. The daughter of leading sire Dark Angel is a distant relative to the talented sprinter Galeota, a Group Two winner and close second at Group One company. The filly has improved this season, finishing placed three times before finally gaining a first career win at Kempton last time out on her handicap debut over seven furlongs. Moving up to a mile for the first time, she still looked inexperienced by jinking to her right around the left hand bend approaching the straight, but she was able to readjust and boost her profile. Her leading trainer will undoubtedly be able to find the right races for this progressive filly for the remainder of the year.

Race Six: The William Hill Keep Your Raceday Positive Handicap - Class Four - Five Furlongs - Runners:16

The focus would switch to some well known faces and household names in the sprinting division as this class four handicap looked set to be a competitive contest. This race was the scene of an emotional victory for Copper Knight, who landed his seventh win at York in the driving rain to become the winning most horse at York. Twelve months ago, the race would go the way of the three year old The Coffee Pod, who was given a well judged ride by Tom Marquand.

Heading the weights in this year's renewal would be the grey King Of Stars, who was once a very progressive sprinter a few years ago, but injuries have interrupted his recent career. Mick Appleby's eight year old would make his first start since late December 2024. Nigel Tinkler's experienced sprinter Muker is a former course and distance winner in the past and returns to York in good form. The seven year old would win for the second time this year with a late burst at Doncaster just a week ago. The Ursa Major Racing syndicate are close to a landmark 100th victory and would aim to achieve it with Katie Scott's Curious Rover. The gelding has run well at York in the past and his last run saw him take part in a stronger contest than this one. Declan Carroll's Changeofmind started his career brightly with a pair of wins, but he has slowly lost form over time. He is capable on his day, but could only manage a midfield finish at Doncaster. The Richard Fahey-trained Airman was highly regarded at the start of last year, but struggled in higher grades. Despite this, the four year old has finished well over five furlongs to suggest this could be his trip as he returns to action for the first time since February. Looking For Lynda has some excellent pieces of form at York in the past and would be a contender back on the Knavesmire, but has shown some quirks recently. The five year old refused to race all together at Nottingham last time and has since moved to the Craig Lidster yard. Sports Coach looked to be a promising sort after winning twice at the end of 2023, but has since failed to be competitive. After missing most of 2024, he joined the Antony Brittain yard where he has weakened quickly over this trip. The lightly raced four year old Air Force One began his career in Yorkshire before transferring to Ireland last season where he won for the first time. He has now returned to the county with new trainer Geoff Oldroyd and lined up in a tricky contest here. Brazen Bolt was once a very smart sort in sprint handicaps before losing his way. The eight year old joined the Ruth Carr stable at the start of this year and has already shown a return to form with a second on his latest start. A second runner for Antony Brittain would be the quirky veteran Mondammej, another runner who would be a league above his rivals at his best, but he refused to even leave the parade ring on his last intended run here in May. Bryan Smart would be represented by the in form Castan here and the five year old has produced excellent runs at big odds recently, finishing third twice and winning at Thirsk; defeating Curious Rover in the process. The Yorkshire legend Copper Knight would aim to regain his crown in this race and despite his age of eleven years old, arrives in top form. He would win his last two starts at Pontefract and Chester and lined up at one of his other beloved courses with the chance to extend his winning record. Ben Haslam's Wen Moon is a regular runner at York and finished fourth in this race last year. The five year old gelding last won a race in October 2023 but has been placed on numerous occasions. Paul Midgley is a trainer who is often well represented in races like these and would saddle Hover On The Wind in this contest. The five year old would win a similar race at Beverley in early May, but was eased and tailed off on his latest start at Pontefract. The first of two runners for the Mick and David Easterby yard would be Le Beau Garcon, who was looking to provide another winner for the popular stable. The six year old would get up on the line to win at Ayr earlier this year, but could only manage sixth at Beverley a week ago. The three year old filly Forager held an ambitious entry in the listed race here in 24 hours, but trainer Simon Pearce opted for this contest. She would make all the running to win a competitive contest back in June and looks to be very progressive. The Liam Bailey-trained Protest Call is a regular at this sort of level and his recent form ties in with plenty of his rivals here. After winning at Pontefract in May, he would be slightly hampered on his latest start at Ripon. Acrisius has just the one win for the Mick and David Easterby stable but went close on his seasonal return. After a poor run over course and distance in May, he ran much better in Epsom's 3-y-o Dash on Derby day. 

Winner: BRAZEN BOLT (#9) (Brazen Beau x Gladys's Gal) - W. Fentiman - R. Carr

The pre-race withdrawals would be the bottom weight, three-year-old Acrisius and top weight, the grey King Of Stars who was missing another engagement for his return to action. There would be plenty of focus on the old boy Copper Knight for this contest, but fifteen other horses would make this a wide open contest and difficult betting heat. 

The gates would open for this competitive sprint and the field would settle into one large group. From the stalls, Copper Knight showed his traditional surge into the lead and would be the overall pace setter in the opening stages. Further back, Wen Moon would make a sluggish start, while Looking For Lynda won half of the battle by emerging from the stalls but was another to start slowly and found himself at the rear. The speedier horses would find themselves at the front and Copper Knight was joined by Curious Rover, Castan and Forager as they set a quick pace. The race would soon reach its climax point and Copper Knight was still right there in the lead with every chance. Aware of a potential historic win, the crowd would begin to urge Copper Knight's old legs forward, but he was joined and headed by Castan inside the final furlong. It looked set to be another excellent performance by Bryan Smart's Castan, but the drama wasn't over yet. Closer to the stands' side, Brazen Bolt was the last to challenge with a strong run, expertly timed by Warren Fentiman as Brazen Bolt nailed Castan on the line to snatch victory away. Curious Rover would also finish well, taking third while the legend Copper Knight ran a superb race to finish fourth.

The Ruth Carr stable is well known for revitalising horses who had once lost their way and getting them back to their best and another example would be demonstrated by Brazen Bolt. The eight year old had spent the majority of his career in Malton with the John and Sean Quinn stable where he continuously improved to win at class three level in 2023. During that winter, Brazen Bolt would fly the Yorkshire flag over in Bahrain as he contested in some valuable handicaps in the Middle East and even won one in January 2024. He would then suffer health issues after returning to Britain and his ability on track was affected because of it. The remainder of 2024 saw the gelding struggle to be competitive and he would swap Malton for Stillington at Ruth Carr's stable. Signs of life would begin to show on his second start for the yard when third at Doncaster and he would back it up with another excellent second at the Town Moor venue last time, well beaten by the winner, but he shaped as if back to form. His last win came from a rating of 87 and his rating here was 80, which means he remains well handicapped on old form and his confidence will be back on a high.

Race Seven: The William Hill Bet In Running Apprentice Handicap - Class Four - One Mile, Four Furlongs - Runners: 8

The finale of the afternoon would see the apprentice riders take to the stage for this twelve furlong contest. With the race hotting up for the coveted apprentice championship, a win here would be vital for the jockeys in their title bid. Last year, the race saw a thrilling three-way finish as Leiber Power squeezed through to win on the nod under Callum Hutchinson and trainer Andrew Balding.

This year's line up of future riding stars would be led by the David Menuisier-trained Promethean, who would make the journey north for this contest with Cian Horgan in the saddle. The grey remains winless but has yet to prove his stamina so far. Richard Hughes would be represented by the four year old gelding Road To Wembley in this contest with Donagh Murphy taking the ride. Owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, he wouldn't be lacking for stamina having won over as far as two miles so would be doing his best work at the finish. The lightly raced Sir Edward Lear made a winning debut at the end of last year and has developed a decent profile. He has finished second twice already and is bred to stay this trip. The Ian Williams-trained Trojan Storm has only raced on the all-weather so far but has shown a fair amount of ability. After winning on his first start of the year, the four year old then plugged on into third at Kempton. The combination of Brandon Wilkie and William Knight have done well in recent seasons and they teamed up again with Sugarloaf Lenny. The four year old's last three wins have come with Wilkie in the saddle, including over this distance. The Ben Brookhouse stable have done well in apprentice and amateur races at York this season and would be represented by Secret Beach in this contest. The four year old is threatening to win having been an unlucky loser at Newbury last time out. There would be no horse in better form in this contest that Stuart Williams's Crowd Quake. The four year old has been in brilliant form, winning five times in his last six starts, most recently over twelve furlongs with ease. The Richard Fahey-trained My Harrison George competed in a small field race here at the previous meeting which didn't appear to suit. The five year old's latest win came over this trip, albeit at a lower level. 

Winner: SECRET BEACH (#6) (Footstepsinthesand x Dubai) - A. Voikhansky - B. Brookhouse

The summer heat would continue to bake the Knavesmire as the apprentice riders would take to the stage. The finale would get underway to a level break and the guaranteed stayer Road To Wembley would be sent forward into the lead, but remained down the middle of the back straight; slowly tracking over from his wide draw. Sir Edward Lear would race keenly and pulled himself to the front after a few furlongs as the group began to reach their first bend. Trojan Storm had been the initial leader, but was demoted down to third while Sugarloaf Lenny raced alongside Secret Beach and My Harrison George in midfield. Sir Edward Lear would continue to set the fractions throughout the race under Mason Paetel, but soon looked vulnerable halfway down the home straight. Secret Beach began to make his challenge and loomed up large on the long time leader. Alec Voikhansky would then send Secret Beach into a clear lead as Crowd Quake also made up ground from the rear. It would be a long final furlong for the leader as Crowd Quake continued to finish with a flourish, but Secret Beach managed to hold on and win by two and a half lengths. Crowd Quake's impressive record would continue with a second placed finish as Trojan Storm found an extra wind to carry him into third. Fourth would go to Promethean, who was never really involved in the race.

It would be a landmark first career success for the four year old Secret Beach, who becomes a maiden no more with this first victory at the eleventh attempt. Ben Brookhouse's gelding has always maintained a decent level of form to date and had finished in the podium placings on four occasions in the past. He has found his form since moving up to this sort of distance and began this season with a third at Brighton, where he travelled well but emptied quickly. On his previous start at Newbury, he went even closer after finding plenty of traffic issues in running and had to maneuver around rivals before getting denied by a short head. On that evidence, a win was almost certain to come his way and in this slightly easier contest, he was able to shake the hoodoo and put a '1' next to his name.