Race One: The British Stallion Studs EBF Novices' Stakes - Class Two - Five Furlongs - 2-Y-O Only - Runners: 6

The 2026 Dante Festival at York would get underway with a slightly newer look to the racecard. The first contest would now be this sprint novice race for juveniles over the minimum distance of five furlongs. With Royal Ascot fast approaching on the horizon, this race sits handily on the road to June's carnival and big stables would be represented here. Last year, the race would go the way of Ballistic Missile from the Richard Hannon stable. He would overcome plenty of inexperience to win that day, but didn't really progress from that winning debut.

This year's renewal would see plenty of fresh faces in the equine world with the majority having their first day at school. Heading the card would be Courseyoudo, who would be a first runner at York for the predominantly National Hunt based stable of Tom Lacey. The son of Mehmas is out of a useful French mare, so this would be a different challenge for the trainer. Leading juvenile trainer Richard Hannon looked to win this race again with Cut A Dash. The newcomer is from the family of a couple of listed race performers and connections will be hoping the colt is up to that level too. Ben Haslam's stable has begun to increase with talent and would have an opening day runner at York in the form of Dubai Champion. The colt is from the first crop of the speedy Persian Force and is also a half brother to a talented young sprinter, so this test could be an ideal starting point. Adrian Keatley is another Yorkshire trainer on the rise of late and would be represented by Fantasy Force. The colt by Persian Force is a distant relative to a high class handicapper, so there is appeal in his pedigree for the future. The one contender with past experience to rely upon would be Tim Easterby's Spectacular Diver. The Dandy Man colt made his debut in a small field at Pontefract recently, but did well to chase home a good prospect when second. Karl Burke's record in novice races is very impressive and he would introduce his colt Varzi; who completed the line up. The son of Havana Gold is related to horses who did well over longer trips, so it would be interesting to see how he fares against his stablemate here.

Winner: CUT A DASH (Starspangledbanner x Promising) (#2) - S. Levey - R. Hannon

Conditions on the day would be a mixed bag with warm sunshine accompanied by a strong breeze, but as the juveniles paraded in the paddock ahead of the opening race, the skies would darken and a sudden downpour would engulf those attending. It would be a far from ideal scenario for juveniles with little-to-no race day experience, but they would behave very well in the cirumstances. Once they reached the starting stalls at the top of the home straight, they would remain obedient and gave the stalls handlers an easy time for the loading process.
Under heavy rain and conditions that would be expected in the autumn instead of the spring, the 2026 season at York would finally get underway. From the outset, Spectacular Diver was sharpest away from the gates and used his previous experience to take the lead in the opening stages. Dubai Champion raced keenly under jockey Andrew Mullen and helped to force the pace with Spectacular Diver as the well fancied pair of Varzi and Cut A Dash sat just behind in a share of third. The remaining two runners Fantasy Force and Courseyoudo were held up, but the six runners remained closely bunched up. 
Approaching the business end of the race, Spectacular Diver's time in the lead began to come to an end as he started to weaken at the final furlong pole. Dubai Champion's petrol gauge also began to flash on empty so the lead was left to Cut A Dash who responded well by quickening up smartly. He would soon gain a few length's advantage over Varzi and looked home and hose approaching the line. As the winning post approached, Cut A Dash would still show signs of inexperience, but he had pulled almost three lengths clear to win nicely. Varzi would run a solid race on debut to take second while Fantasy Force kept on into a never nearer third. Fourth would go to Dubai Champion, whose enthusiasm early on cost him at the finish.
The Richard Hannon team won this race last year with a newcomer and they repeated the feat this year with an impressive juvenile. Cut A Dash is by leading sprint sire Starspangledbanner and is the third foal of Promising; a mare who only won once but finished second in a Prestige Stakes as a juvenile and third in a Dubai Duty Free Stakes. Cut A Dash becomes her first winning foal and could be the best of the offspring. The colt travelled well for his first start and showed a smart turn of pace to put the race to bed. This may not have been the strongest York novice in history, but the way in he won was taking. A trip to Royal Ascot looks next for the winner, with the Coventry Stakes over six furlongs mentioned by connections. 

Race Two: The Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Jorvik Handicap - Class Two - One Mile, Four Furlongs - Runners: 10

Next up would be the race which traditionally opened the Dante Festival, a class two handicap which often has an influence on the Ebor Handicap later in the season. As the race title suggests, this contest is a "win and you're in" qualifier for August's prestigious handicap, so it provides added incentive for trainers to target this particular race. Twelve months ago, this race would go the way of Karl Burke's Almosh'her, who made most of the running and bravely held on in the closing stages. He would then fail to run to that level for the rest of the season.

Heading the weights in this year's edition would be the Andrew Balding-trained Plage De Havre. The five year old has previous experience in this contest having finished an unlucky third in last year's renewal, but made amends with an easy win in a valuable handicap at Haydock in July. He wasn't seen in action until last month where he competed at listed level and now he reverts back to handicap company. Iain Jardine's Paddy The Squire improved plenty after a gelding operation last year and won three times. The six year old has placed here before and was last seen finishing fifth in a similar race at Haydock last September. Stressfree has been a brilliant servant to the David O'Meara stable over the years with a sting of near misses in high class handicaps, including the Ebor Handicap. He was a fast finishing second in this last year and showed he was ready for another go with a second at Ripon a few weeks ago. King's Code has an inconsistent profile on the turf and is better on the all-weather, but he has finished second here in the past. He produced a midfield finish in last year's contest before winning at Newcastle in January. An interesting runner would line up for the Simon and Ed Crisford stable, Will Scarlet. The five year old began his career in France and showed useful form before joining current connections. He would be successful in a handicap at Meydan and this would be his first official start in Britain. Next up would be Sing Us A Song, who carried the Wathnan Racing silks for trainer Ralph Beckett. The four year old would have been unbeaten last year if not for a couple of midfield finishes at big festivals, but looks to have more to offer after a good third at Epsom on his recent comeback. Another to move from France over the winter would be Saint Etienne, who lined up for the Brian Ellison stable. The six year old showed modest handicap form in his home country, but hasn't shown much in two starts this year and needs to find plenty of improvement here. Also lining up for the David O'Meara stable would be the four year old Prince Of The Seas. The four year old was running in Derby trials this time last year without success, but landed a win at Goodwood in the summer. He switched yards at the end of the season but looked in need of his reappearance at Ripon recently. One of the best bred horses in the field would be Fireblade, who lined up for the Dylan Cunha stable. The full brother to Cracksman has been frustrating with just two wins, but they have come with this stable. He has placed form over longer trips, so will be doing his best work at the finish. York's leading trainer from last season William Haggas won this race with a four year old in successive seasons in 2022 and 2023 and would look to add another win with Klassleader. The lightly raced colt has the potential to improve further this year and landed his first win in good style last summer before going close against Sing Us A Song when last seen in September. Completing the line up would be a York regular, Kevin Ryan's Dark Moon Rising. The seven year old hasn't won since the end of 2024, but is a previous winner on the Knavesmire and showed his liking with a second in the final race of the season here in October. He lines up here fresh from a spell on the all-weather.

Winner: KLASSLEADER (Lope de Vega x Klassique) (#10) - T. Marquand - W. Haggas

The earlier downpour had soon dissipated and the skies cleared to leave bright sunshine overhead. The more experience horses would take to the stage now in what would be a smaller than usual sized handicap. As the runners began to take their starting stall, Dylan Cunha's Fireblade became restless in his gate and was subsequently withdrawn from the race, leaving a field of ten.

The action would get underway to a reasonably level break as Sing Us A Song was sent into the early lead under James Doyle, but it would those drawn on the wide outside who would sit prominently. Will Scarlet and Plage De Havre gradually tracked across to join the leader, but as they did so, they jumped across the road crossing which sits at the ten furlong start. The horses would be unaffected however, taking it in their stride as they took the bend into the false straight alongside the woods. As the field settled down into a rhythm, the pace would be just a steady one as Sing Us A Song held onto the lead, just in front of Plage De Havre, Will Scarlet and King's Code. Rounding the home bend, the leader brought the pack into the middle of the course in search of the best ground. As the field ticked off the final furlong marker poles on the home straight, they would fan out across the track to make their challenge. Will Scarlet and King's Code were quickly done with and they weakened away as Plage De Havre and Sing Us A Song remained in front. Dark Moon Rising began to creep closer and briefly looked to be a threat, but the eye was drawn to Klassleader, who made smooth headway on the near side of the group. The four year old cruised up to the leaders and as Tom Marquand released the handbrake, he would surge clear of Sing Us A Song inside the final stages. He would hit the line strongly, finishing just under three lengths ahead of Sing Us A Song and Plage De Havre in third. Fourth would go the way of Saint Etienne, who ran very well on her UK debut. 

The Yorkshire-born, Newmarket based William Haggas trained the winner of this race in 2021 and 2022, courtesy of the lightly raced four year olds Ilaraab and Gaassee and they went on to perform at Group race level. It is highly possible that Klassleader can follow this well trodden path and go on to bigger things this year. The gelding has plenty of size and physical presence about him and he remains open to improvement on what is just his fifth start. The son of Lope de Vega finished down the order on his debut at Salisbury last July, but stepped up to take second at Doncaster on his second start. A first win would come next at Ffos Las, where he handled the slower ground and won easily. His last start came in a good contest at Haydock where he conceded first run to the winner Sing Us A Song that day, but he turned the form around in some style here. This win guarantees a place in the Ebor Handicap in August and Klassleader has already put his hat down to be a leading contender for the historic contest.

Race Three: The Churchill Tyres Handicap - Class Two - Six Furlongs - Runners: 22

Life wouldn't get any easier for punters to find a winner as the next highly competitive handicap came up, this time over six furlongs. Races of this nature at York are highly unpredictable as they continue to attract regular visitors and throw up different results each time. Last year, the race would go the way of Rousing Encore, who was held up early but carved his way through the pack to win in style for Ruth Carr.

This year's renewal would see the much improved Fahrenheit Seven carry top weight for the Robert Cowell stable. The five year old has done well for his current connections and looked at his best when winning twice earlier this year on the all-weather. He didn't run badly in a listed race at Naas recently either. Next up would be the talented Pocklington, who arguably should have more wins to his name. Geoff Oldroyd's five year old went close at the Ebor Festival last summer before winning on New Year's Day, but ran below his best on his latest start at Newcastle in April. A second runner for the Robert Cowell and Middleham Park Racing combination would be Kylian. The former listed race winner had plenty of speed as a younger horse, but still remains very smart at this level nowadays. The six year old hasn't been beaten far in his three starts so far this spring. The formerly Irish-trained gelding Sir Yoshi has finished on the scene in a pair of sprint races at York in the past and is now trained locally by Geoff Harker. The five year old struggled on his stable debut here in October last year, but that came in a better race to this one. The George Boughey-trained Tuco Salamanca has been a shrewd purchase for connections with four wins on the all-weather last season and he then ran well in good races such as fifth in a premier handicap at the Curragh. He would win again on the all-weather at Kempton at the end of March and returns to the turf here. William Haggas has proven to be an excellent source of sprint handicap winners at York in recent seasons and he would saddle the grey Binhareer. The improving four year old turned a competitive handicap here in October into a procession and looks set for a higher level. Clive Cox is a trainer who does well with sprinters and he would saddle the useful Fast Track Harry in this contest. The chestnut's progress stalled slightly last summer, but he extended his good record on the all-weather with a couple of wins earlier in the year. He could only finish in midfield on his latest start at Leicester a few weeks ago. Julie Camacho has made a reputation for improving older sprinters and that would be the case with Desert Falcon. The six year old's form took off last season and it culminated with a second in the Ayr Gold Cup in September. He would look to continue his rise ahead of this first run of the season. Another former course and distance winner in the field would be Pilgrim from the David and Nicola Barron yard. The former Royal Ascot winner landed his first win since 2024 when successful at Musselburgh over five furlongs, but has form over six furlongs too. The five year old Fandom began his career in America and has since been around a few stables already, but ran well at the start of the year. He even finished a close second at St Moritz before joining the stable of Richard Hannon, who might be able to find the key to unlock his progress. Andrew Balding's Tropical Storm has won twice in his career so far and both of those wins have been listed races at York. The four year old seems to enjoy this venue, but isn't as proven over six furlongs based on a couple of previous attempts. Popular trainer Mick Easterby always enjoys a winner at York and he would be represented by Sondad in this competitive contest. The five year old was very progressive last year, winning at Epsom on Derby day and then continuing forward and taking placed finishes in the Ayr Silver Cup and at Ascot when last seen in action. Kevin Ryan's We Never Stop is a speedy front runner who should set up the race for plenty of his rivals. The best of his form has come on the all-weather in recent years, but he still contested in strong handicaps last season. Russet Gold is a rare winner these days, but has been mixing it in pattern races for the last two seasons. The six year old finished second in a listed race in 2024 but has largely struggled since. He has now joined the Kevin Ryan stable and showed up well on his debut for the yard at Leicester recently. David O'Meara is another trainer who regularly returns from York with a winner and would be represented here by Dark Cloud Rising. His three wins in 2025 came at a slightly lower level, so this would be a trickier test and he was unable to make an impact in two starts this spring. The locally based yard of Antony Brittain would send over Wicket Keeper for this contest. The four year old looked to be a bright prospect after a pair of novice wins last year, but he lost his way badly since then. After moving to Yorkshire, he has run averagely in two starts on the all-weather and returns to the turf here. The likeable sprinter Strike Red has won valuable races at York in the past and returns for another season for the Richard and Peter Fahey stable. The eight year old bounced back to his best with a comfortable win over some of today's rivals at Leicester recently. It has felt like a long time since Indian Run landed the Group Three Acomb Stakes here in 2023 and the five year old hasn't won a race since. Since joining the Julie Camacho stable, his form has been largely poor, but there have been occasional positives as well. Last year's winner Rousing Encore was race fit when successful for the Ruth Carr yard and returned once again to defend his title. The six year old was forced to race from the front in a small field at Doncaster last time out, but he is much better when held up in a race like this. Another runner who is very capable when on song is Dark Thirty. The former course winner took second in this contest last year, but lost his way subsequently. He now lines up for the John and Sean Quinn stable from a rating which has dropped to the same as this time last year. Kevin Ryan's horses often go well in races of this nature and would also be represented by American Style. The four year old chestnut appears to do well at the start of each season and has some useful pieces of form to his name. He ran very well when a narrow third at Ripon last month and should improve on that. The veteran Woven lined up for another season on the track for the Michael Dods stable as he completed the line up. The ten year old finished fourth in this race two years ago and has kept going strongly with a win at Ayr last autumn. 

Winner: DARK THIRTY (Starspangledbanner x Beach Wedding) (#20) - J. Hart - J & S. Quinn

The earlier rain had started to seep into the ground which ultimately led to the description changing from "good, good to firm in places" to "good" all over. The slight change meant a level playing surface for all concerned and no particular excuses for any poor performances.
All twenty-two runners stood their ground for this cavalry charge and they walked into their allocated stall with minimum fuss. After a short wait for the signal, the stalls would burst into life and the sound of thundering hooves filled the first two furlongs. From a low stall number on the far side, Dark Thirty made the perfect start and soon found himself in front, blazing a trail. He was pressured for the lead by Fandom who started from two doors next to him. Tropical Island and Russett Gold would be on the front foot over on the far side group, but the field would seperate into groups across the track. The central pack was led by Kylian and Indian Run while a much smaller group of three runners stuck to the near side - Sir Yoshi, American Style and Wicket Keeper. It was soon evident that the place to be was on the far side as the leaders Dark Thirty and Fandom continued to set a good gallop. At the final furlong pole, Rousing Encore faced a wall of horses and would be impeded in his run, so was shuffled backwards and out of contention. One by one, Dark Thirty continued to burn off his rivals and still held the lead with the finish line in sight. The grey Binhareer emerged from the central pack and gave chase to Dark Thirty. The pair would come close approaching the line, but Dark Thirty had enough in reserve and returned to winning ways. Binhareer ran a good race once again to take second as Fandom deserved a hard earned third place. Fourth would go to Pilgrim, who plugged on into fourth having been well positioned early on.
This would be a first race win for Dark Thirty since June last year and it would also have the appearance of a well delivered plot. The six year old son of Starspangledbanner was a talented sort for the Richard Hannon stable and even won the seven furlong handicap for three year olds on this card in 2023.  He would also have a reputation for going well fresh before losing his way, as shown by winning on his first start of the season in 2024 and 2025. He finished second in this contest last year from a rating of 88, but a win at Salisbury on his next start pitched the rating back up. Dark Thirty then moved north to the John and Sean Quinn stable and ran just averagely in two starts this season at Doncaster and Newmarket. He would line up in this contest from a rating of 87, which was combined with the services of Jason Hart in the saddle to find the winning formula. This was Dark Thirty at his best, but it will remain to be seen whether or not the talented gelding can hold his form for the rest of the year or not.

Race Four: The Go Local Stores Minster Stakes - Group Two - Six Furlongs - Runners: 13

The first Group race to take place at York this year would be a high quality dash over the straight course with the newly named Minster Stakes. The Group Two contest has been won in the past by some leading sprinters of bygone seasons, including Harry Angel, Royal Applause, Invincible Spirit and Handsome Sailor, while since the turn of the 2020's, Highfield Princess, Mill Stream and Starman have all gone on to win a Group One race later in the respective season. Twelve months ago, Kevin Ryan's Inisherin showed plenty of class to pull away and win on his first start of the year.
The sprint division was wide open last year, a stat that was laid bare by the fact a different horse won each of the premier races in 2025. There has been a lack of a sprinting star of late, a void of which many of these contenders would be looking to fill.

The racecard would be led by last year's Sprint Cup winner Big Mojo. Now a four year old, Mick Appleby's stable star gained a deserved first top flight win at Haydock in September before running flat at Ascot in the Champion Sprint Stakes in October. Last year's winning trainer Kevin Ryan would be represented by the speedy Ain't Nobody. The former Royal Ascot winner struggled for form during the majority of last season, but ran a blinder here when second in the Nunthorpe Stakes in August which suggests he likes this track. Jim Goldie's American Affair rose from the basement all the way to the top under the care of Jim Goldie, winning at this meeting last year before winning the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. He missed the rest of the year with injury so will be looking to make up for lost time. One of the more race-fit runners would be Richard Hannon's Aramram. The five year old was a tough and consistent type in handicaps last season, but took his form to a new level by winning a listed race at Doncaster at the end of March and then second in the Abernant a few weeks later. A second runner for the Andrew Balding stable would be Cool Hoof Luke. The four year old won the Gimcrack Stakes here two years ago before missing the whole of last year through injury. He has returned just as strong recently, winning a seven furlong listed race at Wolverhampton in March as he reverts back to turf. The Jack Channon made a fast start to the turf season and looked to continue their good form with Crestofdistinction. The four year old won twice impressively at a lower level last year before stepping up with a close second in a listed race over course and distance in September. A repeat of that effort would make him a contender here. The classy eight year old Diligent Harry would return to York for another attempt at this contest. Clive Cox's gelding has finished sixth and third in previous attempts, but is much better on the all-weather; as shown by winning two listed events at Lingfield - the most recent of which came over five furlongs. William Haggas won this race in 2023 and this year, he would saddle the five year old Elmonjed, who has a good record at York. He won a valuable handicap here in July before winning a listed race in September in a dramatic race. He continues to rise up the ladder. Running for the Clive Cox stable would be Jasour. The grey ran well on a couple of occasions in the past, but hasn't won for two seasons. The five year old showed better on his seasonal reappearance at Doncaster when second in a listed race. Another former Group One winner in the line up would be James Fanshawe's Kind Of Blue. The five year old entire landed the Champion Sprint Stakes at Ascot in 2024 but had an interrupted season last year. Despite this, he still took second place in the Sprint Cup which shows he retains plenty of natural talent. Stuart Williams's talents have been well advertised by the winning machine Quinault. The six year old has won three times at York during his career, but took things to a new level by winning a Group Three in Qatar back in February. He has since run with credit on his two starts back in Britain this spring. Next up would be another runner from the Middleham racing hub, Ed Bethell's Regional. The former Group One winner has continued to run well at the top level over the past two seasons but flopped badly at Beverley when eased in grade last September. Harry Eustace made a statement at Royal Ascot last season with two high profile wins, the second of which came courtesy of Time For Sandals. The four year old caused a surprise by winning the Commonwealth Cup in June and looks set for another profitable season this year after a fifth in the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket in April.

Winner: ELMONJED (Blue Point x Naafer) (#8) - W. Buick - W. Haggas

Five previous Group One winners would take their place in the lineup for this inaugural Minster Stakes, which meant it looked to be a very good contest. The sprinters would stand like coiled springs in the starting stalls and as the gates opened, Regional burst out of his gate and gained a good lead already. Big Mojo and Diligent Harry would put the pressure on Regional in the first half as the race remained largely in one group. Kind Of Blue was also in a prominent position early on and travelled with ease while the filly Time For Sandals was also in the firing line. Of those held up, they would include course specialist Elmojed and the returning American Affair as the leaders had already covered three quarters of the race.
Approaching the final furlong, Kind Of Blue was still travelling smoothly and took the overall lead from Diligent Harry and looked set to collect. On the far side of the pack, Elmonjed was hard at work, but responded to the pressure by quickening up and going eye-to-eye with Kind Of Blue. The five year old began to pull away from his rivals towards his favourite winning post and landed the spoils by a length. Kind Of Blue looked to be in need of the run on his comeback, while Regional's fast getaway led to a third place here. Diligent Harry was another close to the early pace who could only manage fourth. 
In an already wide open sprinting division, the latest protagonist to the scene would emerge in the form of Elmonjed. The old saying of "horses for courses" often springs true in horse racing and this would be yet another case proven right as the five year old landed his fourth York success. William Haggas's gelding has always possessed a bit of class about him and won a valuable handicap as a three year old at the Ebor Festival in 2024. Last season, he would hold his form nicely in competitive races, but returned to winning ways in another class two handicap over course and distance in July. A first pattern race win came over this same course and distance in September, where he avoided a dramatic fall in the Garrowby Stakes and held on to win by a neck. That would prompt a challenge at the big time, but he looked ill at ease on the Newmarket track in the Abernant Stakes in April. Returning to his favourite course, he travelled smoothly and the nature of this win didn't appear to be a fluke. As a gelding, Elmonjed can stick around for years to come, with potential Group One targets over six furlongs such as the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and July Cup to look ahead to.

Race Five: The Tattersalls Musidora Stakes - Group Three - One Mile, Two Furlongs - Runners: 5

The feature contest of the afternoon would take place with the Musidora Stakes, a key trial for the Epsom Oaks. Despite the lack of similarities between York and Epsom, this contest has produced eight winners of the fillies' Classic, the first being Noblesse in 1963 and the most recent coming in 2023 with Soul Sister. The late, great Sir Henry Cecil holds the record of most winners trained in this race with 10, but the champion trainer John Gosden has enjoyed plenty of success in recent years. Last year, Whirl would provide Aidan O'Brien with just his second win in this race, but the star filly went on to finish second at Epsom.

The class of 2026 would be lead by Della Pace, trained by the recent 2000 Guineas winning yard of George Boughey. She has been steadily progressive, but her form isn't up to the standard of a race like this based on a fifth in handicap company last time out. Putting her unbeaten record on the line would be Ed Walker's promising sort Felicitas. The daughter of Teofilo has been impressive in her two starts to date, including last time at Sandown over this trip. The Ralph Beckett-trained K Sarra is bred for the job as a full sister to last year's Dante Stakes winner Pride of Arras. She would make an impressive winning debut at Southwell during the winter, but found the Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Newbury too hot on her seasonal comeback last month. There would be lots of talk about Legacy Link ahead of this season and she would return to action in this contest for the John and Thady Gosden. The distant relative to Frankel won on her second start before staying on into fourth in the Fillies' Mile and looks to be exciting. Aidan O'Brien saddled Snowfall to win this race and the Oaks in 2021 and would look to do the same with Moments Of Joy. The daughter of Justify was a regular in Group company last season after a winning debut, but ran below expectations in a Group Three on her reappearance at the Curragh. William Haggas's only win in this race came back in 2018 and he would have a good chance this year with Sea The Storm. She would make a winning start last season for the David Menuisier stable last season before taking second in a Group Two in Germany in October. She had to work hard in a novice race at Wetherby, but just held on to win on stable debut that day and moved back up in grade. 

Winner: LEGACY LINK (Dubawi x Chiasma) (#4) - C. Keane - J & T. Gosden

The feature race of the day would see one less runner as George Boughey's runner Della Pace was withdrawn shortly before the contest due to the easing of the ground condtions. Despite this, it left a good looking field of five runners; four of which held entries in the Epsom Oaks.

The race would get underway at the ten furlong starting point and as the gates opened, Legacy Link would veer to her right but was soon hauled back into the right direction as she settled in third place. As the group of fillies galloped past the trees, Sea The Storm went straight into the lead but she would be hassled by the Aidan O'Brien runner Moments Of Joy. In the Juddmonte silks, Legacy Link raced keenly in the opening stages but sat in third; a place ahead of Felicitas with K Sarra looking on from the back. The two front runners would help to contribute towards a pretty decent pace in the first half of the race and as they rounded the home bend, the group stuck to the far side of the middle of the course. Halfway down the home straight, K Sarra would be the first one under pressure as she was outpaced and Sea The Storm began to weaken from the lead. Moments Of Joy also folded in quick fashion as Legacy Link breezed into the lead under a motionless Colin Keane. Felicitas shadowed the move and joined Legacy Link in the final furlong. The two fillies went eye to eye and toe to toe inside the final stages, but it would be Legacy Link who dug deeper to pull ahead approaching the line. She would land the race by just under a length as K Sarra made up plenty of late ground into third, catching the eye with the future in mind. Aidan O'Brien's recent domination of Classic trials came to an end with Moments Of Joy only finishing fourth.

A new leading contender for next month's Epsom Oaks would emerge for the Brits in the form of Legacy Link. The daughter of Dubawi is regally bred as a niece to the legendary colt Frankel, the fourteen race unbeaten superstar who needs little introduction. Legacy Link began her career at Newmarket in August last year where she caught the eye with a strong finish under a tender ride before she made amends at Haydock on her second start by drawing clear in great style. Her final run of the year came in the Group One Fillies Mile at Newmarket where she rallied in the final furlong to take fourth behind the winner Precise. John and Thady Gosden's record in this race with Epsom in mind is excellent and he has a strong chance to compete the York-Epsom double with a filly who still looks to be improving. A gallop on Newmarket Heath over the weekend was reported to have gone very well which boosted confidence for this race and she has a chance of staying the Oaks trip as a daughter of a mile and a half winning mare. Wherever she goes next, Legacy Link remains a top class prospect for the rest of the season.

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

After the excitement of the Group race action and Classic clues will have been discovered, the card would round out with a pair of tricky handicaps. The first of them would be this class three contest for three year olds over the intermediate trip of seven furlongs and it can often produce a number of horses to follow. The most high profile winner of this race would be Space Blues in 2019, who went on to win multiple Group One races for the Godolphin outfit. Last year would see a dramatic three way finish and Rare Change win it on the line for the Richard Hughes stable. 

This year's edition would be headed by the Karl Burke-trained Ellusive Butterfly who brought Group race form to the table as she finished fourth in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Newbury. Prior to that, she had been improving with each start and ran well again at Newmaket when fourth in a listed race. Ollie Sangster placed Al Najashi expertly during the all-weather season as the gelding won five races in a row and was awarded Best Three Year Old in the winter sphere. He won easily at Newcastle again in April, but this is a different test back on the turf here. Hasbro Market would take his place here for the David O'Meara stable and has been running well in his four starts. He is bred to be useful and finished second for the third time at Wetherby recently in a similar contest. First Legion won the six furlong maiden at this meeting last year, but didn't really progress. Richard Hannon's colt ran a better race last time out over six furlongs at Newmarket recently and moved up to this trip for the first time. The Tim Easterby-trained Daydreama ran a stormer over course and distance in October when third in a valuable sales race before taking third in a listed race at Pontefract. He ran poorly at Pontefract on his return and needs to bounce back here. The nicely bred Inishbeg has raced solely at seven furlongs to date and has been gradually improving. Kevin Ryan's colt broke his maiden tag at the fourth attempt at Thirsk recently and is open to improvement in handicaps. The Richard and Peter Fahey stable often target horses to win at York and would attempt to do so with their new recruit First TIme. He would show progressive form at a lower level last season and has been gelded in the winter so could be an improver. Ed Walker's horses often do well at York and he would be represented in this contest by the filly Passing Thought. She was considered good enough to run in a listed race at the end of last season, but returned to winning ways with a strong finish at Wetherby a few weeks ago. Another horse to make their first start for a new stable would be Queen Gold Kindly, who lined up for Roger Fell. His form went backwards after a winning debut last season, but has shown glimpses of useful form in races like this one in recent starts. Also lining up for the Richard and Peter Fahey stable would be Advance Twentyfive. The gelding was another who ran well in the sales race here in October when fifth, but weakened out of the frame on his comeback at Thirsk last month. Andrew Balding's Montague Menace was pitched into good company as a maiden on just his second start last year before getting off the mark at the start of this year. He would have to bounce back however after a low key effort at Epsom recently. The Charlie Fellowes-trained Luansobe made a promising debut on the all-weather but struggled on turf on his next start. He looked a better prospect when winning at Wolverhampton, but needs to prove his ability on turf. The Yorkshire-trained Awraad lined up for the Gemma Tutty stable and posted her best effort last year when second in listed company. She needs to prove her stamina for this distance, but is talented when at her best. Also making the short journey to the Knavesmire would be Adrian Keatley's Cotai Lights. The gelding got off the mark at Newcastle over the winter and has since run well in good handicaps recently, including a valuable one in Ireland. The Mick and David Easterby stable landed this contest two seasons ago with an outsider and would have a better chance here with The Resdev Scholar. The gelding was kept busy last year but ended the season strongly with a hat trick of wins. He has seemed to train on into this season with a handful of good efforts on turf. Last year's winning trainer Richard Hughes would look to land consecutive renewals of this race with Startled. The lightly weighted gelding ran at the season opening meeting at Newmarket last month where he bravely landed a similarly competitive handicap there on his first try at this trip.

Winner: STARTLED (Bated Breath x Star Snap) (#16) - S. Osborne - R. Hughes

The field would be reduced by two as the Adrian Keatley-trained Cotai Lights and Ed Walker's Passing Thought would miss this engagement, but it wouldn't make the task of finding the winner any less harder for punters.
The nature of the race meant that the pace was always expected to be a good one and as the gates sprung open, Inishbeg used his early speed to defy his wide draw and bag the lead after a few metres. The keen going but well supported First Legion would put pressure on the leader as Gold Queen Kindly would be another to move forward from a wide draw early on. Those to race prominently as well included Awraad, Montague Menace and First Time as the field swung around the dog leg turn into the home straight. Space would become hard to come by at the top of the home straight and those held up would find themselves in trouble. Startled would almost clip heels with those in front and Ellusive Butterfly would also receive a few bumps on the inside rail as the field stuck to the far side rail. Up at the front, First Legion had moved into a narrow lead as Gold Queen Kindly was running a much better race here as he joined the new leader. The red cap of The Resdev Scholar was next to challenge as Daydreama cut through tiring rivals and into a close second. With the finish line fast approaching, the outcome looked set to revolve around these three horses, but from a different post code, Startled began to motor in the final stages and rattled home under Saffie Osborne. The gelding finished so well that he pulled a length clear at the winning post, coming from an uncompromising position earlier in the straight. Daydreama did everything right but still missed out in second while The Resdev Scholar held off Gold Queen Kindly for third place.

The complexion of the race would change dramatically in the final fifty yards as Richard Hughes's in form gelding Startled flew home to grab another good prize this season. The son of Bated Breath had shown just modest form last season, showing slight improvement with each start before getting off the mark at Newcastle in November over six furlongs. His 2026 season began nicely with a strong finishing third at Lingfield over six furlongs which prompted a first try over seven furlongs at Newmarket last month. That would be a good move as he had to come from quite a long way away and got up in the closing stages. This win would be a near repeat of that ride, but Saffie Osborne was switched on enough to move her mount around the pack on the near side of the group which meant he quickened up smartly. This would be a comfortable win in the end and he could potentially stay another furlong, given the right circumstances. A rise in class for the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot next month could be an option for the gelding. 

Race Seven: The Stuey Weston & Friends Getting Out Handicap - Class Four - One Mile, Four Furlongs - Runners: 17

Day one's finale would be another difficult looking contest, with punters facing a puzzle of how to find the winner. This race would also be the longest of the day and saw some popular figures return to York for another start. Last year, the Richard Hannon stable would record a double on the day as the quirky Great Bedwyn got his nose in front on the line, denying Maghlaak in an exciting finish. 

Top weight in the closing contest would be carried by Galyx for the Jack Channon stable The five year old remains lightly raced and hasn't won since 2024, but connections will be hoping he can make up for lost time. This would be his first start since June last year and he needs to prove his stamina for this trip. Another horse who was in good form a few seasons is Master Builder from the David Menuisier yard. The grey five year old finished third here in the past but ended last year with two quieter efforts. Making the journey from Newmarket would be the Ismail Mohammed-trained Minhad, who looks to be a better horse this year. The four year old ran in some good races last year during his first season and after a gelding operation over the winter, saw out this trip strongly to win at Thirsk recently. Last year's winner Great Bedwyn would return to the scene of his only win last year. Richard Hannon's gelding is more of a regular on the all-weather, but needs things to fall his way. He would take second at Kempton two starts ago, but disappointed on his most recent start. Ian Williams won this race two years ago and looked to regain the title with Hermetic, who made his stable debut here. The lightly raced four year old won twice in France last year and has a lot less miles than some of his rivals. Dual purpose trainer James Owen found improvement in his Sportingsilvermines last season as the gelding finished in the frame on a number of occasions. This season, the five year hasn't been at his best, including at Chester last week. Another former winner at York would be Marhaba The Champ, who has dropped a long way down since his highs of 2023 where he won a class two race at this meeting. Sophie Leech's seven year old has placed over hurdles recently, but has been soundly beaten twice this season. David O'Meara's gelding Mafting has been in good form recently and made a quick return to action.The four year old won easily two starts ago, but lost out to a similarly improving type at Doncaster just over a week ago. The grey Fox Journey would have strong claims on some of his older form and has recently joined yet another stable. Now with the Declan Carroll yard, he took a step back in the right direction with a second at Musselburgh in April which has already worked out nicely. Lightning Tiger looks set for a good season this year and has improved with each start. The filly Helmsley would be a topically named winner at York and won very nicely at Redcar in October before joining the Ivan Furtado stable. Since then, she has struggled against her rating and was slowly away on her latest run. Another local runner would be Project Geofin for trainer Geoff Oldroyd. The five year old was in good form at the end of last season, including a fourth in a similar contest. Despite this, he ran below form on his recent comeback. Military Cross comes from a good family and began his career with Godolphin, He would continue to frustrate with a number of second and third placings, but now starts out with the Sam England stable and could improve for a change in scenery. A more seasoned member of the Sam England is Jez Bomb, who was a prolific winner last season. The five year old has remained consistent this year with a couple of placed finishes. The grey Arrange has plenty of experience at York over the years and would return once again for the Martin Todhunter stable. She would look to improve on the fourth in this race two years ago on what is her first run since October last year. Jim Goldie is the source of runners in all sorts of guises and would run Dwindling Funds here. The five year old originally began over this sort of trip, but once he dropped back to a mile, his form took off with plenty of wins. This would be an ambitious step back up in distance. Another old favourite in the line up would be Lightening Company from the Ben Haslam yard. The eight year old has been a credit to his connections over the years and has recently extended his record at Pontefract with two wins there in April. Ian Williams would have a second runner in this contest with Free World, who has also recently joined the stable. The five year old was unraced for Godolphin and didn't achieve much in Dubai so he would be an unknown quantity on his British debut. 

Winner: MASTER BUILDER (Mastercraftsman x Laufeen) (#2) - R. Ryan - D. Menuisier

All seventeen runners would stand their ground as the weather conditions for the finale had done a 180 from the start of the day as the sun bore down on the Knavesmire. 
There wouldn't be any antics during the loading process, but as the gates opened, Marhaba The Champ decided to plant himself and refused to leave his stall. He would be an early retirement as he stood and watched the sixteen other horses gallop away. A pair of greys would lead in the opening stages, the almost pale Fox Journey and the UK debutante Hermetic. From a wide stall, Helmsley was kept away from the main pack by Tom Eaves, but gradually filtered towards the front of the pack and would be the new leader as they took the first turn into the wood-side straight. Dwindling Funds would also be there to force the pace and the gallop looked to be a strong one for the grade. The well fancied grey Master Builder would sit in a midfield position along with last year's winner Great Bedwyn as the pack were already entering the home straight. Helmsley would remain in the lead approaching the two furlong marker but began to come under pressure. Fox Journey and Hermeric were also producing good efforts, but Master Builder caught the eye with the ease of which he travelled. The grey snuck through on the far side of the group and quickened up well for Rossa Ryan. The five year old looked to have the race sewn up until Great Bedwyn emerged from the pack to chase the leader down. Master Builder would have just enough in reserve to hold off his nearest pursuer and return to winning ways. Last year's winner Great Bedwyn had to settle for second this year around while the remainder came in small intervals. Fox Journey would run well into third as Hermetic produced a UK debut filled with promise in fourth.

There would be a first race-last race double for Wiltshere based horses as David Menuisier's Master Builder capitalised here. The son of Mastercraftsman looked to have a good future as a stayer back in 2024 as he finished third in the Melrose Handicap over the Ebor distance of a mile and three-quarters. He would then line up in a similar race at Haydock which he won smoothly; prompting connections to dream big. 2025 would begin with promise initially when he took second in Epsom's Great Metropolitan Handicap, but he began to struggle later in the seaon. He finished the year with two tailed off finishes in Newbury's Autumn Cup Handicap and then Doncaster's November Handicap so this would be drop in grade. After starting 2025 from a rating of 96, Master Builder lined up here from a rating of 85, three pounds lower than his last win. A lot of variables fell his way here, but Master Builder should be able to rebuild some of his earlier promise and climb back up the ladder.