Race One: The William Hill Extra Place Races Daily Handicap - Class Three - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 17

There would be a proper summer feeling to the first day of this meeting as the country was relishing a second heatwave in as many weeks. The action on track would be as fiery as the temperature in the air as the opening contest got underway. This class three handicap over seven furlongs is often a good contest for the grade and was won last season by Julie Camacho's Obelix, who was enjoying a mini revival at this stage last year and went from last to first close home.
This year's renewal would see the Michael Dods-trained Northern Express, who knows this place very well having won this race three years ago. The eight year old regularly runs well at York and wasn't disgraced on his first run in Britain after a spell abroad when fifth at Newmarket last month. David O'Meara does very well with horses he inherits from other yards, so the four year old Pellitory would be an interesting runner for the Helmsley stable. He was unable to kick on from a promising start to 2025, but a positive for him would be his two decent efforts at York in the past. Another locally based yard would be Harriet Bethell's Yanifer, another veteran who has plenty of experience at this course. The eight year old is a former winner here, but looked in need of the run on his reappearance here in June. Croupier won a valuable handicap at York three years ago before being narrowly denied in a Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot. The seven year old was absent for two seasons before joining the Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith stable. He didn't run badly over a mile here in May and could be about to reach peak fitness. The four year old Morte Point looked be progressing into a nice type at the end of last year as he won three times; but has struggled for the most of this year from a higher rating, Chris Grassick and William Muir's gelding appreciated the drop to class four company a week ago to return to winning ways at Chepstow. Richard Hannon's Angel Hunter scored in a competitive nursery handicap over course and distance two years ago, but was off the track for a while after that win. He has been kept busy over the autumn and winter of last year, but has held his form nicely with a number of midfield finishes. The ultra consistent Goldmoyne has been very well placed by his shrewd trainer James Owen since joining the Newmarket yard. The six year old won six times over the winter and has risen through the ranks over the course of eight months. He has been narrowly denied on his last two starts and would be a deserving winner here. The formerly Godolphin-owned gelding Wild Nature has been frustrating at times and now finds himself at the Ed Bethell stable. The four year old ran well on seasonal debut at Musselburgh, but faded away over a mile here last time out. Last year's winning trainer Julie Camacho would rely on Milford for this year's renewal. The four year old is another who has shown his best form over six furlongs, but was well held over this course and distance in June. Brian Ellison's Lir Speciale attempted to win a race on consecutive days at York's two day meeting in June and went close to achieving it. He would finish second and fourth on that occasion and he is also a proven type at this kind of level. The Malton-trained Our Havana's form tailed off during the summer of last year, but Richard and Peter Fahey's five year old looked a different horse when flashing home to win here in June; his race back after a lengthy break. Another runner from Newmarket would be Tilted Kilt from the William Knight yard. The four year old's form has been up and down of later, but his latest victory came at the start of this year at Southwell. He would go off too quickly when last seen in action at Sandown last month. The Nigel Tinkler-trained Lord Roxby has shown a liking to York this summer as he broke a long losing streak by winning here in May before running well again on his next start. There wasn't much wrong with his latest effort at Thirsk last week, but now he moves up in distance. Rare Change won a similar contest at York last year which was part of his three wins in 2025. Richard Hughes's gelding made a return to the winner's enclosure recently at Goodwood where he got up in the closing stages on much softer ground than today's. Andesite seems to do things his own way and remains winless since his debut, but Roger Fell's four year old is seemingly back in form. He has now finished a fast finishing second in his last two starts at York so could be in line for some compensation. The gelded King Caspar looked promising at the start of last year before his form began to tail off in better company for his previous trainer. The four year old has been absent since October, but now makes his return to action under the care of local trainer Antony Brittain. The Tim Easterby-trained Son is another irregular winner who has returned to form this year. After a good third over course and distance two starts ago, he found traffic issues on his latest run at Musselburgh recently. Scott Dixon is a trainer known for adventurous campaigning of his horses and Canvas has been running over longer distances of late. The four year old popped up to win over a mile here last year and now starts over seven furlongs for the first time since 2024. Completing the field would be another course regular, Tim Easterby's Quest For Fun. The eight year old has finished in the frame at York six times throughout his career, but he refused to enter the stalls on his last intended run here last month. 

Winner: NORTHERN EXPRESS (#1) (Zoffany x Hint Of A Tint) - P. Mulrennan - M. Dods

The warm weather would seemingly get to both Canvas and Lord Roxby as they were off their feed on the morning of the race so were duly declared non-runners, reducing the field to seventeen. 
As the sun scorched down on the turf, the early pace would be equally as hot in the opening stages. Morte Point would make the quickest getaway from stall six and was the first to lead under Rhys Elliott. The four year old was joined for the lead by Goldmoyne who was drawn nearby and the pair would take each other on with enthusiasm. Perennial front runner Yanifer was also pushed up to dispute the lead early on which helped to set a frantic early pace. As the leaders swung around the bend, Goldmoyne was scraping the paint of the far side running rail as the keen going Pellitory, Angel Hunter and Wild Nature were others to sit prominently. Further back in the field, Northern Express was smuggled up between runners as the running order went all the way down to Lir Speciale, Rare Change and Our Havana at the rear.
Approaching the final furlong, the early leaders were still right there in the firing line, with the exception of Yanifer who started to weaken away. Morte Point finally surrendered the lead as he was swallowed up by closing rivals and it left the race favourite Goldmoyne in a narrow lead. Pellitory squeezed through a small gap to emerge in contention inside the final half furlong and the race looked set to revolve around these two. In the dying strides, the familiar green silks of Northern Express finished with a flourish and all three horses hit the line as one. A photo finish was called and there would be a nervous wait for the punters. After a brief pause, the result was announced in Northern Express's favour as the gelding got his head in front of Pellitory with Goldmoyne in third and Angel Hunter in fourth.
The Darlington based stable of Michael Dods announced the retirement of their legend Dakota Gold, who won six times at York, another popular member of the yard would win on the Knavesmire yet again. The flashy chestnut knows his way around York and has been an extremely tough handicapper over the years. The eight year old has won an International Handicap at Ascot in the past and has always been on the scene in competitive handicaps over seven furlongs and a mile. In more recent times, the eight year old had been running well out in Bahrain earlier in the year, placing in a local Grade One contest in the process. He would show up well on his return to Britain when fifth at Newmarket in a similar contest. He would regain his crown which he first won in 2023 and has shown the importance of course experience when it comes to races at York.

Race Two: The William Hill Summer Stakes - Group Three - Fillies & Mares - Six Furlongs - Runners: 13
The feature race of the day would come quite early on the schedule, but would live up to its billing. This Group Three sprint has been a valuable contest for both the racing and breeding careers of a number of high class fillies as a sprinter with black type in her breeding page is highly sought after. There have been a few multiple winners of this event in the past, but none have matched the hat trick of wins that Ladies Are Forever achieved in the early 2010's, but the quality of winner has gradually improved of late. Swingalong would score in 2023 before going close in a Group One the following year while 2024's winner Flora of Bermuda has become a regular at the highest level ever since. Last year, the race would go to a three year old once again as the classy Sayidah Dariyan was produced late to win under Billy Loughnane.

This year's contest would be headed by the Celandine, whose last victory came in the Lowther Stakes over this course and distance back in 2024 but she has struggled to make an impression since then. The daughter of Kingman has been slow from the stalls in both of her starts this year so needs to improve at this level. William Haggas's four year old First Instinct landed a Group Three over the minimum trip at Newbury last season and also finished fifth in last year's renewal of this race. She has struggled against male competition this season, so this could be a little easier. Flora Of Bermuda was the winner of a thrilling edition of this race in 2024 and went from strength to strength afterwards. The grey mare has been a regular in Group One company for Andrew Balding with three placings at the highest level, but was very fractious in the stalls on her last start at Royal Ascot. Ed Bethell's Fluorescence had progressed nicely through the course of last year and looks set to follow that trend this year. The four year old overcame a mishap on her seasonal return to take fourth on her first attempt at a listed race, so she has her shot at the next step on the ladder. Clive Cox is a good trainer of sprinters and would be represented here by Hold A Dream. The filly has just one win to her name, but has finished second in a few listed races already. 2026 hasn't gone her way so far, but there is still time for the four year old to regain her progress. A second older filly in the line up for William Haggas would be the well bred Kinswoman. She would win three times at the end of last season and had been running well in good contests this season before a disappointing effort in a listed race at Ayr last time out. The Richard Hughes yard landed this race last year with a three year old and would have a strong chance of a repeat this year with America Queen. The grey produced a brilliant debut last summer before taking second in the Lowther in August. Since then, she has shown high class form, but was only midfield over seven furlongs at Royal Ascot so returns to sprinting now. Another three year old who held Classic ambitions at the start of the year would be Richard and Peter Fahey's Catching The Moon. The nicely bred three year old landed a Group Three last autumn, but was unable to feature in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Newbury back in April, so this would be a return to action following a break. The Scottish stable of Katie Scott continues to grow with their best season yet and would be represented by Figjam in this lofty company. The daughter of Dandy Man seems to versatile with race distance and has finished in the frame in a listed race at this distance in the past. Hugo Palmer's Fitzella has seeming exceeded expectations during her career and has shown high class form in sprint contests. She would produce an excellent effort when fifth against the colts in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot a few weeks ago. Another leading juvenile from last season with big hopes this year would be Royal Fixation who lined for the Karl Burke yard. She would show very good form last year which included a win in the Lowther Stakes here and a third at Group One level, but she ran below expectations on her seasonal debut at Newbury in May and is clearly better than that. A second runner for the Middleham based stable of Karl Burke would be Soul Love, who has won three times from four starts. She would win nicely in a listed race at Goodwood and looks ready for this next challenge. Another pocket rocket to take to the turf here would be Michael Bell's Spicy Marg. She would show plenty of speed last year and even competed in the Nunthorpe Stakes here. She produced a lifetime best when a very close second at Royal Ascot last time out in the Commonwealth Cup and takes a drop in grade here. 

Winner: FLORA OF BERMUDA (#3) (Dark Angel x Dubai Power) - J. Doyle - A. Balding

The warm and sunny weather meant that this race was well named this year as it would provide a fascinating class of generations with all thirteen fillies and mares standing their ground.
Tactics in the opening stages would be a key factor and as the gates opened, a few of these runners were a bit hesitant to leave their gate. The bright grey America Queen had to be hurried into the lead by Paul Mulrennan, but she would hold the outright lead after a few furlongs. The bulk of the field opted to race down the centre of the track, but the three year old Fitzella chose to be the sole outlier by racing along the near side rail. The pace would be a pretty decent one and by the halfway stage, a few of these fillies began to feel the pinch. Catching The Moon was always struggling and was unable to get involved while the race favourite Spicy Marg was taken off her feet towards the rear. As the final furlong loomed up, Fitzella was still on terms with the main pack to her credit, but was under pressure and faded away. America Queen bravely held on to the narrow lead as rivals emerged on both sides. The two older fillies Flora Of Bermuda and First Instinct had crept closer and were in strong contention. Soul Love had always been at the front of the pack and still held every chance, but Flora Of Bermuda quickened up well as First Instinct went with her. They would go eye to eye and head to head inside the final stages, but Flora Of Bermuda had just enough class in reserve to hold off First Instinct for the win. Soul Love continued her progress with a good third place here as America Queen faded into a creditable fourth.
For the second race in a row, a former winner would regain their crown and this time it would be the high class grey Flora Of Bermuda. Andrew Balding's popular five year old won this in similarly narrow fashion back in 2024, but it was the start of her progression into a Group One sprinter. Later in that year, she would finish third in the Champion Sprint Stakes at Ascot. During 2025, the Dark Angel mare began her season with a fast closing second in a Group Two before more placings at the highest level in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes and Sprint Cup. She would win for the first time since 2024 on her comeback run at Newmarket back in May this year, but things went badly at Royal Ascot on her latest appearance. After getting very upset in the stalls, she was slowly away and virtually pulled up in the final furlong. After that traumatic experience, it was good to see Flora Of Bermuda return to her best. A step up to seven furlongs was mooted by connections, with a rise back in grade also in the offering this season. Wherever she goes, she has already been a tough and talented mare for connections.

Race Three: The Irish Thoroughbred Marketing EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes - Class Two - 2-Y-O Only - Six Furlongs - Runners: 8

The only juvenile contest of the afternoon would take place with this often informative novice race for fillies over six furlongs. This class two contest has been the stepping stone to better things for some very smart horses, including The Platinum Queen who won easily in 2022 before going on to finish second in a Nunthorpe Stakes and win the Prix de l'Abbaye later that year. A year later, Clive Cox's Symbology would win on debut before going on to place in Group company, so the winner of this race is often worth a follow for the future. In 2025, there would be a thrilling battle between eventual winner Bosa Nova and the runner up Aylin. Bosa Nova remained unbeaten but hasn't raced since then, but the runner up Aylin went on to win the Group Two May Hill Stakes at Doncaster a few months later.

The class of 2026 would be led by the previous race winner Bear Lee from the Mick and David Easterby yard. She would show a bit of promise when keeping on into fourth on debut before looking more assured at Musselburgh recently by winning in good style. The chestnut filly Betty Boop has plenty of stamina in her family as she is out of an Aga Khan-owned mare, but Richard Hughes's runner showed plenty of speed and promise when flashing home into third at Lingfield over five furlongs. Richard Hannon is another trainer who is well known for winning newcomers and he would hope that Elevating becomes the latest one. The daughter of Showcasing is a half sister to a listed race winner, so there is plenty of appeal on paper ahead of her debut. The Mehmas influence in this race would continue as another of his daughters, Gladys Pugh, would make her racecourse debut. Kevin Ryan's runner comes from the family of a Grade One winner, so would be another for punters to consider here. The newcomers would keep on coming, this time it would be Kirton Angel from the Richard and Peter Fahey stable. The Dark Angel filly is a half sister to a smart listed race winner which is a positive, but this race looks a pretty warm one to make her debut in. Karl Burke has enjoyed yet another promising season so far in the juvenile division and would saddle his latest newcomer here, Lady Titania. There is plenty of speed in the pedigree of this daughter of Showcasing, including a Group One winner. One of a few runners with previous experience in the field would be Andrew Balding's Naval Cop. She is also bred to be speedy and showed plenty of promise despite some inexperience when fourth on debut at Bath. A second runner for the popular stable of Mick and David Easterby would be Roman Crystal. The daughter of Shaman has raced twice within the last month and produced only modest midfield finishes, so could be one for handicaps further down the line. Completing the lineup would be a second newcomer for Richard and Peter Fahey, Striking Force. From the crop of first season sire Persian Force, she is related to a pretty classy sprinter who made a winning debut at York during his racing career. 

Winner: BETTY BOOP (#2) (Mehmas x Shandra) - F. Marsh - R. Hughes

The field would take a notable hit as the likely favourite Bear Lee was deemed to be a non-runner on the morning of the race which meant there will be a brand new race winner in this event.
The eight strong field of fillies would get under to a mostly even break, despite Gladys Pugh's steady start and Betty Boop's slight hesitancy. As expected with a speedy pedigree, Naval Cop went straight to the front and set a fairly strong pace in the opening stages. She would be joined by the newcomers Lady Titania and Striking Force as Betty Boop was soon back on terms in front. Next up came a pair of grey silks with Elevating and Roman Crystal as race was already heading towards its closing stages. The petrol gauge began to flash on empty for the leader Naval Cop and she quickly faded away as Kirton Angel showed a swift change of gear to go from the rear to the front in a matter of strides. While the grey looked a big danger, Betty Boop was also asked for her effort and she responded well, joining the new leader before pulling clear inside the final half a furlong. She would cross the line with a comfortable length and a half victory over Elevating, who got going quite late after the penny dropped. Kirton Angel would also show promise on debut in third while the top four was completed by Roman Crystal, who produced a career best.
It would be a second win in this race for the Richard Hughes yard in a row as the former jockey landed the trophy once again. After the withdrawal of original favourite Bear Lee, Betty Boop was strong in the betting and would deliver for her supporting punters. She had gone into the notebook on her debut over five furlongs at Lingfield where she was slowly away and finished strongly into third behind a winner who went on to compete at listed level. Despite a steady start from the stalls again, she quickly recovered to a prominent position behind a strong pace and looked comfortable throughout. Once she was asked to extend, she put the race to bed and should cope with this sort of distance. A distant relative to some very classy fillies, including the Irish Group Two winner Shamreen, she looks set for a rise in class later in the season and it will be interesting to how far she can go.

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

Next up would be a good looking class four handicap over a mile which is limited to three year olds. There would be a touching tribute in the race title as it remembers the life of former jockey Laura Barry whose promising riding career was cut short before a battle with cancer. Last year, this contest would go the way of Mahra's Love, who bravely held on for the win for the William Haggas stable having made every yard of the running.

This year's renewal would see a closely bunched field on ratings, with 10lbs seperating ten of the eleven runners. Top weight would be carried by the William Knight-trained Luzon Heights. The chestnut colt has won just once during his career, but has held his form well in this sort of company. He arrives at York on the back of a close second at Yarmouth a fortnight ago. Another stable who have enjoyed previous success at York this year is the David Menuisier stable, who were represented by Get Outta Here. The French bred gelding improved with each run before scoring for the first time over seven furlongs two starts ago. He would cope with the return to a mile when an agonising second at Goodwood, so looks to be going the right way. The former-Irish based Zarvali made a pleasing start for his new trainer Roger Fell by winning nicely at Catterick and then ran a good race here next time. His latest effort saw him stay on strongly into third at Thirsk which suggests he is ready to move up to a mile for the first time here. The handicap newcomer would come in the form of Ed Bethell's Bee Keeper. The gelding is bred to be very good and has a second place to his name, but he has been well beaten in all three starts to date. Andrew Balding's horses are always well respected at York and the Berkshire stable sent up the grey Spectical. He is another to be bred in the purple and has shown only minor promise in novice races so handicaps at this level could be within his reach. Irish trainer David Marnane returned from York with a winner at the previous meeting so was back again at the Knavesmire, this time with the gelding Hambelton. The chestnut had finished in the minor placings in handicap company, but turned a corner on his latest start when a clearcut winner at Cork in a handicap. Yet another runner to move back in distance is the Gemma Tutty-trained Illy's Roo. The multiple winner made a perfect start to life at his current yard by winning on the all-weather early this year and hasn't been disgraced on a number of occasions over seven furlongs recently. Forest Phoenix would line up for the Tim Easterby stable, but takes a dramatic rise in distance here. The lightly raced gelding gained his first win two starts ago, but finished down the order here last month, but that was over five furlongs and he now goes up a quarter of a mile in distance. Yet another recent winner in the field would be David O'Meara's Napolian. The son of Kodiac had shown useful placed form over sprint distances last year, but he looked to enjoy this trip when winning at Leicester but this is a rise in grade. Another of the maidens in the field here would be the Mick and David Easterby-trained Milford Grange, who has been hitting the post of late. He has been chasing home in form types in his last three starts so deserves a winning turn. Completing the line up would be the improving filly Only Dream Big from the Tim Easterby stable. She would turn a corner with two wins in low grade contests last month, but could only manage fifth forty-eight hours ago, This would be an even tougher test with a short turnaround. 

Winner: ILLY'S ROO (#7) (Austalia x Illykato) - J. Mason - G. Tutty

Once again, there would be no change to the advertised racecard and all eleven three year olds took their place at the start.
From the outset, the sizeable Irish challenger Hambelton was sent straight into the lead by Luke McAteer as Bee Farmer tried to keep tabs on him. Another to sit prominently would be the keen going Napolian and Forest Phoenix who was trapped out wider than ideal. The pace looked to be a strong one as the leaders took each other on around the home bend as Illy's Roo and Get Outta Here sat quietly at the back, waiting to pounce. Halfway down the straight, Hambelton continued to dominate the running as Bee Farmer started to feel the heat. One by one, Hambelton's rivals were burned off and it looked guaranteed that the David Marnane yard would land another York win. Inside the final furlong, Illy's Roo gamely responded to pressure and put it up to Hambelton, despite getting dwarfed by the long time leader. Under Jo Mason's urging, Illy's Roo put his head down and bravely got up close home to deny the Irish runner for a narrow success at a big price. Hambelton did everything right but had to settle for second as Get Outta Here was no closer than at the finish in third. Fourth place would go to Bee Farm, who was another to force the early pace.
This would be a fourth career success for the game gelding Illy's Roo, who has made a habit of winning when unfancied in the betting. The son of Australia joined the Yorkshire stable of Gemma Tutty at the start of the season and made an instant impact by winning at Southwell in March. Since then, he has finished in the midfield in some good contests over seven furlongs; including at York in May. This was just his second attempt at a mile, but he took advantage of the strong pace to strike late.
Back in the winner's enclosure, there would be plenty of emotion as this was a poignant victory for connections as winning trainer Gemma Tutty was close friends with Laura Barry, whose memorial the race was held in. Things are never guaranteed in racing, but the stars can often align in circumstances like these. 

Race Five: The Azets Handicap - Class Four - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 9

The action would move to the middle distance contests with this competitive looking handicap over the John Smith's Cup distance of ten furlongs. This run of the mill class four contest would turn out to be a very good renewal last year as the winner Dain Ma Nut In returned to York a month later to win at the Ebor Festival and then go on to win a listed race in Bahrain this year. The third placed Beylerbeyi also went on to bigger things by winning the Cesarewitch Handicap later in the season.

It remained to be seen whether a horse of that calibre lies in this year's contest, but there would be a strong Knavesmire theme for this race. Seven of the ten runners here have already raced at York at least once this year, so they will be able to acclimatise nicely for this handicap. Top weight would be carried by the David O'Meara-trained Prince Of The Seas. The four year old has been a little disappointing since joining current connections, but he has been competing in stronger competitions and offered hope when third at Doncaster last week. Richard Hannon's Great Bedwyn is a former winner at York and finished a close second in the race he won last year back in May. He ran below his best at Thirsk, but this race will take place over a shorter distance than his ideal. Jennie Candlish has placed Frankies Dream to excellent effect over the past two seasons as the four year old has placed and won a high percentage of his races. The gelding has been finishing strongly into the frame at York on his last two starts so looks ready to return to the winners' enclosure. The oldest horse in the race would be Kevin Ryan's Dark Moon Rising. The seven year old has won on the Knavesmire in the past and has plenty of miles racked up here. He has been running well enough in higher grades and now lurks on an appealing rating. Another in form runner of late is the Richard and Peter Fahey-trained Glistening Nights. The five year old overcame a quiet run two starts ago to finish second over course and distance two weeks ago and has been in good heart recently. Beach Point would make the journey up from Newmarket for trainer William Knight once again as he aims to perform better than his latest effort over course and distance in June. The five year old had previously been showing potential to win in his earlier races this year. One of the more unexposed runners in the line up would come from the William Haggas yard, the three year old Kahlin. The son of Kingman is well related and finally got off the mark at the fourth attempt at Hamilton. He only scraped home that day, but he looks in need of this longer distance so could improve further. Next up would be a pair of three year olds from the Tim Easterby stable. The first of them would be the in form Stoneacre Donny, who has been placed at York twice already this season. The son of Japan ran well once again at Redcar and a win here wouldn't be a surprise. He would be joined by his stablemate, the filly Bearin Up. She has built up plenty of experience so far, but has been progressing nicely. With two wins already this year, she ran well once more when second last time out at Chester in a slightly stronger contest. Completing the line up in this contest would be another prolific winner, Ciao Capo from the Richard and Peter Fahey stable. The gelding is another who has appreciated the step up to this trip by winning his last two starts, but they have come at lower levels to this one so needs to find more to extend his winning streak.

Winner: DARK MOON RISING (#4) (Night of Thunder x Al Nassa) - T. Eaves - K. Ryan

The field would be reduced by one as the top weight Prince Of The Seas was a late non-runner due to the quick ground conditions. The remaining nine runners had a vast range of experience which made the contest even more interesting.
Frankies Dream was cantered to post very steadily by Paul Mulrennan, but once the gates opened to signify the start of the race, the quirky gelding shot into the lead. He would go much quicker than planned and found himself clear of his rivals down the back straight by six lengths. The remaining eight runners were happy to let the leader go and the leader of the peloton would be Kahin. Fellow three year old Bearin Up would race alongside Kahin in the lead as York regulars Glistening NIghts and Great Bedwyn. 
At the halfway stage, Frankies Dream was still free wheeling away, but the lead was a much reduced one. The pack had caught up with Frankies Dream and the lead would switch to Kahin. Great Bedwyn was also in contention, but on the far side of the group, the eye was drawn to Dark Moon Rising who was travelling strongly. Tom Eaves would drop the anchor two furlongs out and Dark Moon Rising burst clear approaching the final furlong, leaving his rivals in the dust. The veteran powered clear and Tom Eaves was able to take one or two long looks behind him for non-existent dangers. There would be a race for second as Kahin held off Great Bedwyn for the podium places while Beach Point plugged on into fourth.
It would be an emphatic return to form for the seven year old Dark Moon Rising, who was winning for the first time since November 2024 on the all-weather. Kevin Ryan's veteran has produced plenty of strong form at York in the past, including a fourth place in the 2022 Dante Stakes behind Desert Crown and seventh in last year's John Smiths Cup. From a total of twenty starts on the Knavesmire, Dark Moon Rising has now won twice and placed four times. His best effort of the season came in May where he finished fifth in a class two handicap over a mile and a half, so this contest was a much easier contest in comparison. Operating on a handicap rating 20lbs than his absolute best form, he was always going to strike eventually. A similar race at York will surely be on the cards for the course specialist later in the season.

Race Six: The William Hill Keep Your Raceday Positive Handicap - Class Four - Five Furlongs - Runners: 12

It would be the turn of the speedsters to take to the stage as this sprint handicap over the minimum trip of five furlongs would be next on the cards. Races of this nature often attract plenty of household names to York and was also the scene of a famous win for Copper Knight in 2023 as he landed his record making seventh win on the Knavesmire. Last year, another well travelled veteran Brazen Bolt would turn back the clock by winning this race under last year's breakout jockey Warren Fentiman before the pair went on to win at the Glorious Goodwood meeting a few weeks later.

Top weight in this dash for the cash would be carried by the inconsistent Ziggy's Triton, who carried the silks of Middleham Park Racing. The four year old was in form at the start of the season for David O'Meara and won for the most recent occasion in April. He has since struggled in better company, so this will be a touch easier. Last year's winner Brazen Bolt would return to the Knavesmire to defend his crown in this contest. Ruth Carr's nine year old has been running better than his form figures suggest this year, as he has competed in class two events recently. Another veteran of the field would be Paul Midgley's seven year old Spring Is Sprung. He has been a prolific winner over the years for connections and appears to be creeping closer to the winner's enclosure again with a couple of placed efforts recently. Former Derby-winning jockey Adam Kirby has made a strong start to his training career and would be represented here by the in form Ancient State. The four year old seems to be versatile with distance and arrives here in search of a hat trick of wins. The Scottish raider Eternal Sunshine has been a credit to her connections by winning the Portland Handicap last year, but has struggled throughout this year. Jim Goldie's mare produced her best start of the season when second at Doncaster in this grade. Grant Tuer's Al Hussar has been a victim of his own consistency this year as he keeps finding one or two rivals too strong in recent times. After winning a small contest at Thirsk, the four year old hasn't been beaten far in his last two starts. The Mick Appleby stable has always been a shrewd outfit when it comes to handicappers and they would be represented here by Counsel. The son of Frankel has a much stronger record on the all-weather which has been further endorsed by his poor efforts on turf recently. A second runner for the Paul Midgley outfit would be their mare Emerald Harmony. The five year old has been in good heart of late and scored on her penultimate start at Thirsk before she was caught close home by a resurgent rival at Doncaster last week. The flashy chestnut Castan is another horse whose chances could be improved if this race was on the all-weather and the six year old would hail from the locally based stable of Bryan Smart. He was a close second in this race last year, but arrives here not at the same level of form. Another last time out winner in the line up would be Equity Law from the ever-present Tim Easterby stable. A reduction of his handicap rating has seen him return to form, landing a similar race at Pontefract when just holding on last month. A lot of time has passed since Muker's win over course and distance in 2020 and the eight year old's last win came just over a win ago, but Nigel Tinkler's eight year old has struggled for form of late. Despite this, there was a touch of promise in his fourth last time out, so he could be on the road back. The race line up would be completed by a pair of three year olds who recently faced off here last month. Ivan Furtado's Rotokura Belle made all the running to narrowly win at this level with I'm Dan Dare a close second that day. The filly wasn't disgraced when midfield in a stronger race two weeks ago. The Mark Walford-trained I'm Dan Dare has been in excellent form of late. The gelding now has two wins and a second since joining the Malton yard and did the job nicely when successful at Newcastle a fortnight ago. 

Winner: ZIGGY'S TRITON (#1) (Profitable x Ahazeej) - D. Tudhope - D. O'Meara

There would one again be a clash of ages at handicap level here as a field of twelve went to post without Equity Law who was lame on the morning of the race.
As the gates opened, there would be a furious dash for the early lead, which was won by Spring Is Sprung. The seven year old was hassled by last year's race winner Brazen Bolt as the pace already looked to be a strong one. The three year old I'm Dan Dare was another to push the early sectionals as the speedometer clocked the runners at a blazing 45mph at the halfway stage. Ziggy's Triton and Rotokura Belle would latch onto the heels of the leaders along with Eternal Sunshine and Ancient State who was recovering from a steady start. Muker wasn't the sharpest away from the blocks and was at a disadvantage at the rear approaching halfway. 
As expected, the rapid pace began to collapse and those who were racing in midfield were able to move into contention. Spring Is Sprung valiantly held onto his lead at the furlong marker, but Ziggy's Triton quickened up nicely to overtake the long time leader. In a race which changed complexion in a short space of time, Emerald Harmony joined her stablemate Spring Is Sprung for a share of the lead. Rotokura Belle was another to make a late challenge, but it would be Ziggy's Triton who had timed his challenge to perfection to score, holding off Spring Is Sprung and Emerald Harmony in the process.
There would be more ecstatic scenes in the parade ring as members of the leading syndicate of Middleham Park Racing celebrated another win at York. Ziggy's Triton has often shown potential in equal measure to natural speed, but he came into his own last winter on the all-weather at Southwell, where he won twice. He then returned to the turf once the grass season began and he scored once again at Musselburgh from the same handicap rating as today's. Following that success, connections were forced to aim higher which meant running at class two level. The son of Profitable struggled in races like the Epsom Dash and ran below par once again at Redcar, but that came after a relatively busy spell. This would be a reminder that form is temporary and Ziggy's Triton was able to bounce back in these much calmer waters where class came to the fore.

Race Seven: The William Hill Bet In Running Apprentice Handicap - Class Four - One Mile, Four Furlongs - Runners: 10

The finale would be a look ahead to the future with the riding stars of tomorrow taking their turn in the spotlight. This mile and a half contest is often well supported by small and large stables alike, so it is usually stronger than average for the grade. Last year, the Ben Brookhouse-trained Secret Beach was a smooth winner of this race, pulling clear of the multiple winner Crowd Quake. 
Tim Easterby is a trainer who often supports this type of race and his runner Golden West would be an intriguing one. The five year old ran in Group races two years ago before missing the whole of 2025. Since his return, the gelding has finished the frame, including behind a potential Group race performer at Carlisle so he could have a class edge over his rivals. The Middleham-based yard of Ed Bethell would be represented by the grey Nightsinwhitesatin, who has improved for the rise to this sort of distance. The four year old filly has had some near misses this season, so could be ready to take compensation. Last year's winner Secret Beach returned to York, but this time for a different trainer. The five year old gelding now resides at the Donald McCain stable but has been unable to land a blow in three starts on the flat this year, so this race could have been the long term plan. Another dual purpose runner in the field would be James Owen's High Fibre, who was once capable of some smart form a few years ago. The seven year old has run well over hurdles in recent times, but now makes his first start on the flat since 2024 for the very shrewd James Owen team. Jim Goldie's Humble Spark has recent experience in races of this nature as he was narrowly denied in an amateur's race at York in June. He would finish down the order last time, but that came in a stronger race at Ayr three weeks ago. One of the more lightly raced types would come from the Kevin Philippart de Foy stable, Nicator. The chestnut has improved with each start and went down by a nose at Yarmouth over ten furlongs, so tries this new trip here. Optician broke a long losing streak with a gutsy win at Doncaster last time out under today's rider and it was also his first win on turf. Michael Herrington's six year old now has the potential to kick on now he has the taste of success in this company. The Devon-based yard of Rod Millman would take the long journey north with his recent winner, the mare Green Sky. The six year old did the job very well at Chepstow last week and could be a notable ride at York for young rider Toby Moore. The relatively consistent Pleasant Man would look to continue his in form ways here as he lined up for the Joey Ramsden stable. The eight year old was given a good tactical ride to win at Doncaster, but resorted to type last time when third once again at Yarmouth last week. Completing the field would be another mare, the Brian Ellison-trained Queen Roslyn. The five year old hit a vein of form last autumn with three wins, before adding another win over hurdles, but she was outpaced on her comeback here last month over a shorter trip.

Winner: GREEN SKY (#8) (Mastercraftsman x Heroine Chic) - T. Moore - R. Millman

All ten runners would stand their ground as advertised and these experienced horses would lead their more inexperienced riders around the Knavesmire in this competitive contest.
Tactics were always going to be a decisive angle in this race, but there would be a guaranteed front runner in the field in the form of Pleasant Man. The experienced eight year old raced keenly as he dictated a steady pace under Alex Jary while the grey Nightsinwhitesatin raced alongside. Last year's winner Secret Beach sat in a handy position behind the two leaders, with Queen Roslyn and Optician in close company. The well fancied pair of Humble Spark and Green Sky were content to watch on from the rear as the pack cantered their way past the woods and into the home bend. 
As the race began to warm up, the keen going antics of Pleasant Man began to take their toll and his chances whittled away. Nightsinwhitesatin would take over in front with Secret Beach running a big race in the defence of his crown. The likes of Golden West, Nicator and Humble Spark made the slightest of impressions from the back before they quickly ebbed away. The one who made longer lasting ground from the rear would be the mare Green Sky, who travelled powerfully throughout the race. Once she hit the front, there was no stopping her. The six year old galloped on resolutely to score by over four lengths as well as providing young rider Toby Moore with a first win at York; his legendary father Ryan undoubtedly watching on a screen at Newmarket. 
The market spoke strongly in the favour of Green Sky and she would deliver with an emphatic victory here. Rod Millman's mare made the very long journey from Devon and connections were rewarded in some style. She has only recently joined current connections after a stable switch from leading jumps trainer David Pipe last month having spent a spell over hurdles. She would make a very good impression seven days ago at Chepstow where she was a seven length winner of a class five handicap. Racing from five pounds higher on ratings but full of confidence, victory never looked in doubt for the mare and it wouldn't be a surprise to see her record a rapid fire hat-trick in the coming weeks.