Race One: The Yorkshire Equine Practice Handicap - Class Four - Seven Furlongs - Runners: 22

The third and final day of the Dante Festival would dive straight into a fiercely difficult handicap to open proceedings. This seven furlong contest would see plenty of interest from the trainers and a full quota of twenty runners going to post. This sort of race can be unpredictable and provide exciting finishes. Last year, this race took place as the final race of the day and saw James Owen's Delicacy score with a late surge for the Nick Bradley Racing outfit. 

Julie Camacho's Obelix benefited from an excellent hold up ride to win here back in July, but his form tailed off badly afterwards. He has since had a break since October and returns in this contest as a fresher horse, despite carrying top weight. North View showed the benefit of moving stables by making a winning debut for the Stuart Williams stable in January and then ran another good race last time out despite not getting a clear run at Wolverhampton and returns to the turf for this contest here. Leadman has proven himself to be a tricky customer to win with, but David O'Meara's six year old is talented on his day. He is undoubtedly well handicapped on his current rating if it all falls right here. The Nick Bradley Racing syndicate landed this race last year and would look to repeat it this year with David Loughnane's Moon Beginnings. The four year old made a winning debut last summer but was unable to progress. He then had excuses for a poor showing at Nottingham last time out. Jennie Candlish enjoyed a breakout season last year and would be represented here by Spirit Genie. The six year old is capable of winning at this level, but often needs slower ground to be at his best. This would be his first start since a third at Chester in September.  The five year old Harry The Rogue held his form well during a lot of racing in Ireland and has shown useful form. He has recently moved to the Middleham yard of Stephen Hanlon and has run well in defeat in his last two starts. A second runner for Julie Camacho would be the all-weather specialist Dingle, who made a pretty rare start on the turf. The eight year old has run to a smart standard on the artificial surfaces, but never really transferred it to turf. The mare Ormolulu is another who shows better form on the all-weather, but is able to run well on the grass. Gemma Tutty's six year old often needs luck in running, but ran well in similar contests here last year. Nyman moved to the Roger Fell towards the end of last season and scored at Newmarket on just his second run for the yard. The four year old hasn't run badly this year, just missing out on the placings on his last two starts. Kevin Frost's Stratocracy was another to have a good season in 2025, winning on the turf and the all-weather. He would sign off for the season with a good win at Chelmsford over this trip. Aisling's Oscar was brilliantly targeted to win eight times in a row on the all-weather and became one of the stories of the winter. Adrian Keatley's gelding recently returned to the turf and could only finish in the midfield at Musselburgh. Another course regular in the field would be Tim Easterby's Quest For Fun. The eight year old has a great record here and his latest win came here last July when sharing the win in a similar contest. He will have presumably been aimed for this race here. Mereside Diva is yet another horse with past experience at this course and lined up for the David and Nicola Barron stable. The six year old picked up a small race on the all-weather earlier this year, but backed it up with a good second on Wetherby last time out on the turf. Newmarket trainer Dylan Cunha would have breathed a sigh of relief when his gelding Zarathos won last time as it was the four year's first career win at the fourteenth attempt. He did the job nicely over a mile however and dropped back to this trip looking for a good pace to aim at. Another stable to be represented from HQ would be James Owen with Captain Parma. The four year old was running well on the all-weather at the start of the season, but ran disappointingly on the turf on his last two starts so had questions to answer. One who arrived here in good form would be Grant Tuer's Highland Olly. The five year old has won over this trip in the past, but has found improvement recently to win his last two starts over a mile at a lower level at Nottingham and Catterick. The Malton based yard of Tony Coyle and Kaine Wood would saddle the chestnut Havana Prince, who ran well at York on a couple of occasions last season. He would win comfortably at Newcastle when last seen in March. Harriett Bethell does well with a relatively small stable of horses and would be represented by the mare Style Of Life. She would make a bright start to last season with two wins in the summer, but raced wider than ideal at Chester back in July and this would be her first start since. A second runner for the Ursa Major Racing outfit would be Gressington, who lined up for the Katie Scott stable. The grey has been a regular at this sort of level in previous seasons, but this would be his first start on turf since August last year. Despite this, he was successful at Newcastle at the end of last year. Next up would be two runners for the Antony Brittain stable. The first would be Montezin, who remains very lightly raced. He showed plenty of promise over the winter, winning nicely at Newcastle, but struggled on his turf and handicap debut at Newbury last month. His stablemate Orne has fallen a long way down the ranks since his Group Three win in 2023. The gelding has struggled over six furlongs and this is a rare start over seven furlongs. Completing the field would be Ben Haslam's War Howl. The four year old found his level when winning twice last season at Doncaster and Ascot, but his form has fallen to pieces recently and lined up here in search of a revival.

Winner: ZARATHOS (#14) (Dark Angel x Fashion Family) - K. Shoemark - D. Cunha

Day three of the Dante Festival would look to be the toughest of them all with a number of impossible looking handicaps and Group races that looked hard to split the runners. Thankfully for those attending, the blue skies remained all afternoon and the threat of rain had vanished. 
The opening contest would be a typically wide open York handicap with a whole host of runners possessing a good chance on current form. The gates would crash open to start off the action and as the stalls opened, Quest For Fun would rear up and miss the break. The early pace was set by the outsider Orne, who tracked over from a wide gate to the running rail under Harry Russell as Stratocracy came next. The likes of Dingle, Aisling Oscar, Gressington and Montezin would sit in a prominent position as the field approached the dog leg bend into the home straight as Zarathos had an ideal spot just behind the leading few. There would be little change in the order throughout most of the race as the twenty two runners spread out to make their move. Orne was running his best race for a while and still held the lead at the final furlong pole. Zarathos had travelled well to this point and was soon challenging Orne for the lead. As others faced a wall of horses in front of them, Zarathos was able to have a trouble free run and kicked clear in the final stages, sealing the race from quite a way out. Behind him, Leadman had to weave through tiring horses and emerged from the pack to charge forward, but it came too late as he could only manage second, deposing Orne into third and Montezin to fourth. Quest For Fun was another to find trouble in running and finished with a late surge into fifth. 

In such a competitive contest where luck can be dished out in equal measures, Zarathos was able to have the perfect run to score here. Sat just behind the leader in a prominent position, he was in the perfect position to take advantage as Orne cried enough. It would also complete a perfect double for trainer Dylan Cunha, who landed the last race of the previous day which meant both of his runners at York this week returned successful. The four year old gelding had been very frustrating in the past as he found winning hard to come by. The son of Dark Angel hit the bar on many occasions, finishing in the placings nine times in 2025, including here over a mile in July. Zarathos finally broke through and won on his previous start at Windsor where he dictated the pace and kicked clear to win by four lengths. He lined up here over a furlong shorter but handled it with ease. Further success could be on the cards in the near future, but connections will be just relieved to see their horse finally get his nose in front.

Race Two: The Sky Bet Fillies' Stakes - Listed Race - One Mile - Runners: 7

Next up would be the first of the day's pattern races, a listed race for three year old fillies only. This mile-long contest has improved in stature in recent years and has been a stepping stone to bigger and better things. The race is also exclusive for horses who haven't won a Group One contest yet, so there is the potential for a new star to be born. Last year, the race would go the way of Kon Tiki, who remained unbeaten in three starts at the time for Jane Chapple-Hyam and went on to compete in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

This year's line up had the potential to be the best yet with a whole host of exciting prospects on show. Act Of Kindness would represent the Godolphin outfit for the Charlie Appleby yard. She would win smartly on her second start at Newmarket and took a step forward with a third at the same course in the Nell Gwyn Stakes last month. Roger Varian's unbeaten filly Botagoz would make the step up in grade in this race and has looked smart in two runs. The Mehmas filly did well to win on debut at Kempton in December and furthered her education with a smooth win on turf at Nottingham. Another very bright prospect in the field would be John and Thady Gosden's Fashion People. After making an impressive debut win at Newcastle, she would follow it up with an equally impressive win at Yarmouth a fortnight ago and looks set for bigger things. William Haggas is another trainer who does really well with fillies and would be represented by the promising Lilt. She would make a very nice winning debut at Doncaster at the end of last season on soft ground, but recently missed an intended engagement at Newmarket. The Juddmonte operation would be represented in this contest by Andrew Balding's filly Pacific Mission. She would make a return to action having improved a lot last season, finishing second in a Grade One at the Breeders' Cup meeting in October. Another beautifully bred filly from the John and Thady Gosden stable would be So Regal, who hasn't been ridden too hard to win twice this season and steps up in grade here. Synchronicity is bred in the purple as a sister to the brilliant Ombudsman and made a perfect start to her career last month with an impressive win at Newbury. She would have the chance to keep it in the family and win at York in this contest.

Winner: LILT (#4) (Lope de Vega x Dank) - T. Marquand - W. Haggas

There would be seven fillies going to post in this informative contest, but each of them would hold a strong chance in their own right, which added to the prestige of the contest.

As the gates opened, all seven runners would get away to a fairly even break. Act Of Wisdom would make the best getaway of all under William Buick and took up the early lead. She was soon joined by Fashion People who raced a shade keenly with Lilt just behind in third. The favourite Pacific Mission settled into a good flow behind the leaders as Botagoz and Synchronicity brought up the rear. The outlier would be So Regal, who was kept wide by Danny Tudhope and took the route underneath the trees. As the home bend approached quickly, So Regal would sweep around into the lead and hit the apex of the bend with the rest of the pack. She travelled strongly at the top of the home straight as Act Of Kindness sat in second. The pace began to rise approaching the final two furlongs and So Regal unleashed a telling turn of pace and shot clear of her rivals. Within moments, the John Gosden-trained filly had opened up a big gap inside the final furlong, but she began to idle. As she drifted to her left, Lilt emerged from the chasing pack and was making up ground hand over fist. The gap was chiselled away and Lilt found herself alongside So Regal before the momentum took her to victory by a length and a half. So Regal would agonisingly lose out, but ran very well in second as Botagoz fared best of the rest by taking third; a place ahead of Act Of Kindness. Further back, Fashion People and Synchronicity raced keenly and blew their chances from an early stage.

After the dust had settled after the 1000 Guineas, a new name would emerge in contention for major honours this year. The unbeaten filly Lilt had missed a few engagements in recent weeks over a range of distances, but this listed contest was deemed ideal by her trainer William Haggas and it proved to be an inspired idea. The daughter of Lope de Vega made a winning debut at Doncaster last October on soft ground in a race which often produces star fillies of the future. On that day, she set a steady pace but had enough in reserve to make a winning debut in game style. Now fast tracked to pattern company in this contest, she looks well worth a go at the Group One Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot next month, where she will likely take on the winners of the English and Irish Guineas there. 

Race Three: The Support MacMillan Charity Race Day On 13 June Handicap - Class Two - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 15

The second handicap of the day would be a much stronger one with this ten furlong contest taking place at the Juddmonte starting point of ten furlongs. This class two event has the potential to be a trial for the prestigious John Smith's Cup handicap over course and distance later in the summer, but is a good prize to be won in its own right. Last year, Karl Burke's Thunder Run bounced back from a poor run in the Lincoln to win this contest narrowly on his first attempt at this distance. 

Top weight in this year's renewal would be carried by last year's winner Thunder Run, who dropped back into handicap company for the Karl Burke stable having competed in stronger races since his win twelve months ago. There would be a Royal runner in this contest as John and Thady Gosden's four year old Warrant Holder lined up for the King and Queen. The homebred gelding had a good first season last year, winning twice at Newcastle and looks open to improvement again this year. Andrew Balding's Royal Ulixes would make his first start on turf since a midfield finish at Royal Ascot last summer, but has made into a decent middle distance handicapper. The chestnut was in good form during the winter and looked unlucky when fourth at Newcastle in April. The Amo Racing-owned Tony Montana went very close in this contest last year when pushing Thunder Run all the way. He would run well again when second in Ireland later in the season and looks set for another good year after his sixth in the Spring Cup at Newbury last month. A local runner in this contest would come in the form of Richard and Peter Fahey's Have Secret. The six year old went through a blip in form not too long ago, but has bounced back in good style. He would score with ease at Pontefract last month and was third in this race last year. A second runner for the Fahey stable would be the four year old Castle Stuart. The entire won a decent race at Musselburgh before joining current connections and then ran well twice at York later in the year. He would blow off the cobwebs on his comeback at Doncaster in March. National Hunt trainer Lucy Wadham has done very well with her seven year old The Glen Rovers, who has been a prolific winner on the all-weather. He has won in this grade in the past, including last time out at Newcastle when winning convincingly at a big price, but this would be just his fourth ever start on turf. Another runner for a dual purpose stable would be Mickey Hammond's Chillingham. The seven year old is a former winner at York, so this is a course he likes. He was last seen in action over hurdles on either start of the New Year. David O'Meara regularly recruits horses from France in the hope of revitalising them and the latest one would be Ashnak. The four year old showed average form in his home country, but ran better on his second start for the yard when third at Ripon last time out. Per Contra gradually worked his way back into form last summer with a number of placings over longer trips before finally scoring at Newcastle in September. Tim Easterby's runner has made a similarly slow start to this season and his better days could be ahead. Making his debut for a new stable would be the four year old Divine Knight, who lined up for the William Haggas yard. He would have a good first season last year, winning on debut and contesting in the Cambridgeshire on his final start. Another runner for the David O'Meara team would be Zryan, another former French-trained gelding.  The five year old ran to a decent level on turf last season, but showed his best form on the all-weather; winning twice over the winter. Another five year old in the field would be Cadarn, who hails from the Kevin Ryan yard. He would win twice over a mile last year before his form tailed off, but he has run well in the past over this sort of distance. The Northallerton-based yard of Grant Tuer would saddle Empire Of Light, who arrives here in good spirits. He has won his last two starts with a decent break in between, but this would be a tougher test now upped in grade here. A second runner for the Tim Easterby stable would be Double Parked, who appeared to enjoy Redcar as he won three times there last year. He ran well once again at the seaside venue when third, but this would be his first try at ten furlongs. Scottish trainer Jim Goldie is adept at finding bargains and he would give a stable debut to the four year old Altareq. The son of Frankel has run three times so far and went close to winning when last seen, so his new handler should be able to find an opportunity for him. Completing the line up would be a third runner for Tim Easterby, the five year old Financer. The gelding has run well over this course and distance in the past at a lower level, but showed he is capable with a second in this grade at Windsor last season. He looked a touch unlucky when fourth on his comeback at Ripon.

Winner: WARRANT HOLDER (#2) (Frankel x Diploma) - W. Buick - J & T. Gosden

This fiercely competitive handicap was reduced by two runners as Divine Knight and Empire Of Light were deemed non runners by their respective connections which left a field of fifteen. 

As the race got underway, Cadarn would miss the break slightly and lost ground on his rivals as Altareq was edgy in the gates and was unable to get away cleanly. A couple of runners who were drawn wide, Double Parked and Thunder Run, would track over to lead in the opening stages. Those two would take each other on in the opening stages as Financer was another to race in front rank. Tony Montana and Have Secret would come next as the order trickled back to Altareq, who was detached at the back of the group. The theme of big field handicaps sticking down the middle of the course continued in this contest as Double Parked began to struggle. Thunder Run put up a staunch defence of his race title by hanging onto a narrow lead over Tony Montana. Over on the far side, the royal silks of Warrant Holder had made stealthy progress and looked to be a big danger. The four year old hit the front and quickened up in good style to land this contest by a length in the style of a promising talent. Thunder Run returned to near his best with a second here while further back, Altareq made rattling progress from the rear and flashed home into third place which seemed unlikely at the halfway point. Fourth would go to the UK debutante Ashnak, who offered plenty to work on for the rest of the season.

The winner Warrant Holder has been fairly slow to come to hand, but looks to be a very smart handicap prospect for the John and Thady Gosden team this summer and will have plenty of support, given his Royal owners. The son of Frankel made his debut in February last year at Newcastle with a narrow second filled with promise before getting off the mark at the same venue on his second start. On that particular occasion, he would beat Rahiebb with ease and that form would be well advertised by Rahiebb's subsequent second place in the St Leger later in the year. Warrant Holder finished third over a mile and a half at Leicester in October before returning to winning ways at Newcastle once again. The well bred gelding has a good future ahead of him and will be of automatic interest if he lines up in the prestigious John Smith's Cup Handicap over the same course and distance in July. 

Race Four: The Design Tonic Out Of This World Spaces At The Races EBF Marygate Stakes - Listed Race - Five Furlongs - 2-Y-O Only - Runners: 10

The first juvenile pattern race in Britain would take place here with a listed race for fillies only. Ever since the season's opening Brocklesby Stakes in March, there has been a large number of impressive winning juveniles and now this would be the first opportunity to secure some valuable "black type". This contest is also a key trial for the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, given the similar nature of both races. Ceiling Kitty would complete the double in 2012, while more recently, the John Quinn-trained Signora Cabello would also win both contests. Last year, this race would go to Adrian Keatley's Secret Hideaway, who started the day as a maiden, but ended it as a listed race winner. 

This year's contest would look as strong as ever with plenty of previous winners in the fold. The first of the newcomers would head the race card, Kevin Ryan's Angels Passing. The daughter of No Nay Never is related to a handful of winners and her trainer has seen newcomers go well in this contest in the past. Irish-based trainer Diego Dias would have a runner across the sea here in the form of Armor Supreme. She has already travelled to Britain as she made her debut at Goodwood and look speedy when landing a debut win a fortnight ago. Karl Burke has won this race plenty of times in recent seasons and would look to do so again with Lady Blanche. The chestnut was a close third on debut, but looked above average when routing the field at Bath recently and steps up in grade. Another local trainer who enjoys a winner at York is Tim Easterby, who would send Lake Muritz for this contest. The daughter of legendary sire Oasis Dream ran well when a close second on debut at Thirsk before winning next time at Beverley where she was always in the driving seat. Declan Carroll and jockey Zak Wheatley landed their biggest win at York last season and aimed for more pattern race success here with Lauralynn. She is the granddaughter of a past winner of this race, but needed three races to get off the mark at Southwell. A second runner for the powerful Karl Burke stable would be Love A Giggle. The daughter of Kodiac made her debut at Southwell and seemed to know her job right away when pulling clear of her rivals to win in nice style. A second runner for the Amo Racing outfit would be the grey Lover Girl, who ran for their in house trainer Kevin Philippart de Foy. She is bred to be quick and would make a winning debut in April before extending her unbeaten record to two in a conditions contest at Salisbury recently. Also from the Newmarket training hub, Lemos de Souza would send up Margaret's Pearl for this contest. She looked green on her debut when fourth, but got the better of an excellent tussle at Pontefract to get off the mark. Archie Watson has made a strong start with his juvenile runners this season and would be represented in this contest by Niewiadoma. The Cotai Glory filly was sharply away from the gates at Thirsk before holding on for a debut win and makes the next step in her career. Carrying the Cheveley Park Stud silks would be the promising filly Princesse d'Orange. David O'Meara's charge comes from an excellent family and was visually impressive when pulling clear at Beverley for a debut success. 

Winner: LOVE A GIGGLE (#6) (Kodiac x Silver Bullet Lady) - C. Lee - K. Burke

A field of ten unexposed fillies would line up at the start, but all of them behaved impeccably, even the newcomer Angels Passing. Just before the starter was set to release the gates, Niewiadoma would rear up slightly in her stall which led to a slow start for the filly. 
In contrast, Princesse d'Orange made the perfect start and soon burst forward into the lead. She would ensure there wasn't any hanging around by setting a rapid pace in the opening stages. The grey Lover Girl attempted to keep tabs on the front runner along with Armor Supreme and Lauralynn. The runaway leader Princesse d'Orange was still out in front, but she began to tire approaching the final furlong. Lover Girl took advantage by becoming the new leader inside the final furlong, but Armor Supreme kept her honest. The Irish-trained runner was next to lead, but Love A Giggle had come from further back. As the race looked set to go back to Ireland, Love A Giggle finished best of all to deny Armor Supreme and remain unbeaten. Lover Girl would post a likeable effort in third while back in fourth, the newcomer Angels Passing made eye-catching late progress to complete the frame on debut.

The Karl Burke stable would finally break through at York with a first winner of the season on the Knavesmire, courtesy of a third win in this contest in the last four years. Love A Giggle would remain unbeaten here with a patiently timed challenge in the closing stages and looked professional in the process. The daughter of Kodiac made her debut at Southwell just over a month ago in a four runner race, but looked to know her job as she showed a good turn of pace to win over the minimal trip. Stepping up in grade, she was held up in the early stages but took advantage of the pace collapse up front and score here. Karl Burke's 2023 winner Got To Love A Grey finished fifth in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot after winning this race and Love A Giggle looks set to follow the same path this season.

Race Five: The Boodles Yorkshire Cup - Group Two - One Mile, Six Furlongs - Runners: 7

The majority of Britain and Ireland's best stayers would converge on the Knavesmire and do battle for the prestigious Yorkshire Cup, an ideal starting point with the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot being the ultimate goal. First run as a Group Two back in 1977, the fourteen furlong contest has been won by some famous stayers and highly popular warriors of bygone eras. Since its inception into the Qipco Champions Series, the quality of the race has improved drastically. Since the turn of the century, Kayf Tara, Marienbard, Sergeant Cecil and dual winner Giavelotto take their place amongst a star studded hall of fame, but none of them matched the exploits of the brilliant stayer Stradivarius, who won this contest three times in a row. 
Last year, the globe trotting superstar Rebel's Romance made a rare start in Britain and saw out this new trip very gamely with a narrow success over Epic Poet.

The class of 2026 would be a high quality one, with a mouth watering line-up on display. Heading the card would be Al Nayyir, who has done very well for the Tom Clover stable in the last two seasons, finishing placed in two Lonsdale Cups here. The eight year old made a winning return to action at Meydan before running well there once again on World Cup night at the end of March. The quirky Amiloc lined up for the Ralph Beckett stable and made a strong start to his career, winning his first six starts. He made the step up to Group One company with a second in the Irish St Leger and then an excellent fourth in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar. The Northumberland-based stable of Jessica Bedi has acquired a big name in the form of Deira Mile, who looks set to fly the flag for the yard. He has also finished fourth in two Classics two years ago and ran with credit on stable debut at Ascot in the Sagaro Stakes recently. The seven year old Epic Poet was a high class handicapper over a range of distances for the David O'Meara stable but has graduated to this level of late. The gelding ran a big race to take second in this race last year and is would be thereabouts again with a similar effort. Andrew Balding has been firing in the winners at York during the last two seasons and would look to start strongly this year with Furthur. The grey four year old didn't win as often as he should have, but still landed a Group Three at Newbury in August and was last seen taking part in the illustrious Melbourne Cup. An exciting prospect for this division would be Roger Varian's Rahiebb. The four year old progressed all the way through his first season, taking second in a handicap at this meeting before ending up a fast closing runner-up in the St Leger on his last appearance.  Andrew Balding's Tarriance would carry the silks of Juddmonte in this contest and was a highly progressive stayer last season. He bravely battled to win the Melrose Stakes here in August before struggling in the St Leger. He should improve from his third at Riyadh on seasonal reappearance in March and has a good future. 

Winner: RAHIEBB (#6) (Frankel x Playful Sound) - R. Dawson - R. Varian 

The absence of staying stars Scandinavia and Trawlerman in this contest offered a chance for the next generation of hopefuls to emerge in the staying division in this Group Two contest.
The six runners would get away to a good break, but the lack of a natural front runner would soon turn the race tactical. Amiloc reluctantly went into the lead after a furlong, but set a very steady gallop. Al Nayyir raced keenly and joined the leader in the early stages as the rank outsider Deira Mile was slowly away. The sextet ambled their way down the back straight, led by Amiloc and Al Nayyir with Furthur, Rahiebb and Epic Poet jostling for position. Tarriance and Deira Mile would bring up the rear but the pack was well grouped together. There would be little change in the order for most of the race, but as the two furlong pole approached, Amiloc came under pressure. Rossa Ryan had to get serious in the saddle, but Amiloc drifted to his right instead of forward. Tarriance was looming up large on the far side as Rahiebb was another to challenge on the near side. Epic Poet and Al Nayyir came down the middle and suddenly there would be three in close contention. Rahiebb and Al Nayyir came close together as Rahiebb drifted to the left, but the four year old found an extra gear and kicked clear of Al Nayyir. The colt began to draw further clear towards the line, looking better the further he went. Al Nayyir would hold on narrowly for second over Epic Poet as there would be another gap back to Furthur in fourth.
This would remarkably be just the second win in the career of Rahiebb, who only made his debut at the start of last year. After an impressive winning debut at Newcastle in March, he bumped into the equally promising Warrant Holder at the same venue. He then moved to the turf where he continuously run well in handicaps. He ran in the three year old handicap at this meeting where he chased home the subsequent Group Three winner Merchant before taking a fast closing third in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. He then signed off with a personal best at Doncaster in September where he finished off strongly again in the St Leger to finish just behind Scandinavia. He looked to relish this trip and now has the potential to improve over longer distances. The Ascot Gold Cup now looks a live option where he will face old rival Scandinavia and the defending champion Trawlerman amongst others, but the son of Frankel is now the fresh new hope for Britain in the staying division.

Race Six: The Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap - Class Three - Five Furlongs - Runners: 17

The penultimate contest of the afternoon would also be the quickest with this fast and furious sprint handicap over five furlongs. This event is also confined to three year olds, but it has unearthed a few sprinting stars during its past. Back in 2014, the David O'Meara-trained G Force would win this before progressing into a Group One winner later that season, courtesy of the Sprint Cup at Haydock. Other notable winners of this race include Moviesta, who won this a year earlier and was also a regular in Group races. Last year's contest would go the way of The Man from the Richard Spencer yard. The lightly raced sort won this impressively before going close against older horses at the Ebor Festival in August.

Heading the list of three year old hopefuls would be Adrian Keatley's Chaimanfourtimes, who ran well at York last summer before winning a listed race at Ayr in September. He would disappoint on his recent comeback run and has since been gelded ahead of this assignment. The Simon Pearce stable landed a similar race to this in June last year and saddled the gelding Nuevo Slovo is this race. He would run a brilliant race in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, before running below that level when last seen. He now makes his debut for new connections. Baby faced trainer Charlie Pike looks to enhance his growing reputation with a runner here in the form of Sir Alfie. The Dark Angel gelding won twice in Ireland last year before struggling in listed company, but he hasn't kicked on yet in two starts for his new trainer. Wathnan Racing's Old Is Gold showed plenty of promise at the start of his career for Andrew Balding, but hasn't lived up to it since. His form tailed off at the end of last season and had excuses for his comeback run at Sandown in April. Karl Burke's filly Stargazed is bred to make a Group race performer, but took a little while to land her first win. She was last seen finishing down the field in a Group Three contest, but that came on testing ground. The Kevin Ryan-trained Kinnalargy improved with each start last season; including a good fourth over six furlongs at Doncaster. This would be his first start since September though. Ollie Sangster's charge Eternal Solace won very nicely on debut last season and was well fancied for the listed race on this card. Her form has a more exposed look to it, but she ran very well over six furlongs at Newcastle in April, but needs to bounce back from a poor run last time. The William Haggas-trained Desert Treasure also held an entry in a listed race on the day before, which shows she is well thought of, but connections opted to run in handicap company here. She puts her unbeaten record on the line having overcome slow starts to win very smoothly on both occasions. Craig Lidster's filly Arduis Invicta was kept busy last season, but held her form well and placed in a listed race in the summer. She wasn't beaten far at Chester last time, but looks more exposed than others. One of the more unexposed sorts in the field would be Shes Got A Brother, who carried the silks of Middleham Park Racing for trainers Mick and David Easterby. The filly comes from a good family and has shown plenty of sharpness to win both of her starts at Southwell this year. An interesting recruit to the Brian Ellison stable would be the gelding Fortification, He has just the one win to his name, but showed he has the ability for a race like this on a number of occasions. Schrodinger's Cat would line up here for the Grant Tuer stable with just a single win to her name, but was unlucky not to add another last time out. She suffered trouble in running and finshed well, but still lost out narrowly at Chester last week. The filly Entailed is related to some useful sprinters and joined the Gemma Tutty stable over the winter. She ran well on her stable debut at Thirsk and could build on that effort here. Tim Easterby's record in York handicaps is a good one and the Malton stable would be represented by Hanney Girl. The filly landed back to back wins during the summer and also ran well on her previous visit here. She would do too much, too soon on her comeback at Thirsk a few weeks ago. Katie Scott is gaining a good reputation with her sprinters and would saddle Naana's Shadown in this contest. The grey showed good speed at the undulating Catterick to win there last time out, but this would be a rise in grade here. A second runner for Tim Easterby would be the filly Storm Esme. She would make a smart winning debut last autumn before getting pitched into listed company straight afterwards. She would weaken in the final stages on her comeback and this is her first try over five furlongs. Also from the Gemma Tutty yard would be Call Margot, another last time out winner. She has improved with each run since arriving from Ireland and overcame trouble in running to win cosily at Southwell last time out. Mick and David Easterby would also be represented by the maiden Von Trotter, who has shown enough to suggest he can win races. The son of Mattmu has finished second in all three starts as he makes his debut on turf here. Completing the line up would be Nigel Tinkler's gelding Believeinmenow. His form has improved in recent times, as shown when going down narrowly at Beverley in April.

Winner: FORTIFICATION (#11) (Mehmas x Shumookhi) - B. Robinson - B. Ellison

The sole non runner in this contest would be the bottom weight Believeinmenow who held an alternative entry elsewhere, but it left a field of seventeen to go to post. 
A few of these would make a slow getaway, namely Eternal Solace and Sir Alfie, but the remainder would break smartly. The early pace came from those down the middle as Naana's Shadow and Shes Got A Brother helped to force the pace despite running keenly. Hanney Girl would also hold front rank along with Von Trotter and Desert Treasure, ensuring the strong gallop in the first half of the race. The final furlong would loom large and those to race prominently were still in the firing line. Naana's Shadow gamely fended off all challengers apart from Stargazed, who moved forward into contention. Shes Got A Brother remained with every chance, but from a long way back, Fortification caught the eye with a strong late surge. It appeared that Fortifcation was placed into the race at the final furlong point by a giant hand as the gelding stormed home to deny his rivals and cause a surprise at odds of 40-1. Stargazed ran a very respectable race in second on her seasonal debut while Naana's Shadow faded into third with Shes Got A Brother losing her unbeaten record in fourth.
The winner would make an instant impact for his new trainer Brian Ellison as he recently joined the Malton stable from the Archie Watson stable. Previously owned by the Wathnan Racing operation, the son of Mehmas was pinpointed at Royal Ascot as a juvenile last year, but suffered defeats in his first two starts at Bath and Ripon. Despite this, he ran well to finish third and second in those two runs and showed a lot of natural speed. A first win came at the end of last year in a novice contest at Wolverhampton which set up an all-weather campaign during the winter. He was well beaten despite some minor placings in the first three months of this year, but he left the Archie Watson stable for Brian Ellison's in Malton. This would be his first start on turf since June last season, but he was reported by Brian Ellison as being a very fast horse. Fortification could end up with a belated Royal Ascot appearance in a five furlong handicap for three year olds next month and he looks to be an exciting prospect for his stable. 

Race Seven: The Darley EBF "Confined" Novice Stakes - Class Two - One Mile - Runners: 7

The final contest of the meeting would be, to some people, well worth the wait. This class two novice race has developed a growing reputation for being a source of high class horses and this year's line up looked no different. Taking place over a mile, the first renewal was back in 2023 and the John and Thady Gosden stable have won every renewal so far. Lead Artist would be successful in this race two years ago before going on to win the Lockinge Stakes, while last year, Bowmark was a very easy winner before competing in big races later in his career.

There would be some potential new stars on show here and the card was headed by the only four-year-old in the field, Ralph Beckett's filly Pearl. She is very well bred as a half sister to a French Oaks winner, but this would be a belated debut on the track. John and Thady Gosden have a perfect record in this contest and they would choose this race for their exciting prospect Portcullis. Running in the silks of the King and Queen, the Frankel colt produced a breathtaking display to win at Newmarket and the sky is the limit for him. The maidens would receive weight from their winning counterparts and the first of them would be Kevin Frost's gelding Celtic Chariot. He would be outpaced at a crucial point on debut at Doncaster, but kept on into a lonely third so it was a good start. The Karl Burke-trained Ervani comes from a stamina laden family from the Aga Khan dynasty so he should appreciate longer trips. He showed plenty of promise at Wetherby when second to a good filly on debut recently. Andrew Balding's horses can often improve after their debut and his Lord d'Or would make his second start here. The son of Palace Pier made late inroads into sixth at Kempton during the winter and should pick up races in the future. The local interest in the race would come from Mick and David Easterby with their gelding Test Run. He is related to some smart European winners and kept on nicely into fourth on debut in what is usually a warm contest at Doncaster in September. Another runner in the Sheikh Ahmed Maktoum silks would be the equally promising Weheedd for the William Haggas yard. The son of Lope de Vega is well related and showed plenty of promise on debut recently at Yarmouth where he gave in only close to the finish against another good prospect. A filly would complete this informative contest and the first of them would be Harriet Bethell's Always Blue. The daughter of Masar has a pedigree full of stamina, so this trip should be a minimum for her, but she still ran well on debut to take second at Ripon. 

Winner: PORTCULLIS (#1) (Frankel x Castle Lady) - W. Buick - J & T. Gosden

The field would be reduced to seven runners as Test Run was withdrawn shortly before the contest, but the betting market revolved around the Newmarket challengers Weheedd and Portcullis. 

This fascinating contest would get underway to a level break and the early leader would be Ervani, who set a steady pace. Celtic Chariot raced keenly as he put pressure on Ervani as the two fillies Pearl and Always Blue came next. Race favourite Portcullis would sit handily in fifth with Weheedd and Lord d'Or bringing up the rear. As the gates opened, Weheedd was awkward from his stall and didn't look comfortable. After a few furlongs, Tom Marquand chose to pull his mount up and he was out of the race. After the small drama, the race continued with Ervani still dictating the pace. Portcullis crept closer at the two furlong pole and edged into a narrow lead from Ervani. Just as it looked set to be a one horse race, Pearl and Lord d'Or had Portcullis in their sights and ensured it wasn't straightforward. The two challengers set it up to Portcullis in the final furlong and the favourite looked in trouble, but he found extra. Portcullis would gamely hold on to extend his unbeaten record to two by three-quarters of a length. Lord d'Or ran much better than his debut to take second while Pearl ran a race filled with promise in third, a long way back to Ervani in fourth.
The John and Thady Gosden stable would win this contest for the fourth time in a row, extending their own monopoly in this novice contest. The exciting Portcullis burst onto the scene at Newmarket last month in the Wood Ditton Maiden race over a mile but started slowly on his debut. As the race progressed, the son of Frankel continued on learn on the fly and burst clear inside the final furlong to win by nearly six lengths in devastating style. His presence in this contest was a boost for this meeting as the three year old furthered his education. He was expected to win in much easier style than he did here, but he would impress with his tenacity and determination to win. After his debut win, Group One targets were naturally mentioned for the future, but John Gosden remains happy to take things steadily with his exciting colt. The son of Frankel can only improve and listed races and lower end Group contests look next for the Royal runner.