Tag Archive for: Ebor Festival

Ethical Diamond sparkles with decisive Ebor strike

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Ethical Diamond provided all-conquering trainer Willie Mullins with a third victory in the Sky Bet Ebor at York.

Although better known for his exploits under National Hunt rules, the Closutton handler had previously landed Britain’s richest Flat handicap with Sesenta in 2009 and Absurde in 2023 and fired a three-pronged assault at this year’s renewal.

Ethical Diamond, who was last seen striking Royal Ascot gold in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, was a well backed 5-1 favourite for the £500,000 feature under William Buick, who appeared keen to play his cards as late as possible aboard a horse who has been known to race enthusiastically.

But after again travelling powerfully in the middle of the pack as the field turned for home, the five-year-old got a dream run against the stands’ rail when being delivered with his challenge and picked up well to run out an emphatic two-and-a-half-length winner over Ascending, with Queenstown in third.

Mullins said: “William said he was a copybook ride. He popped off, settled and did everything he wanted him to do.

“He said once he let him go, he quickened up well.

“He won’t go to (the) Melbourne (Cup) as he won’t pass the vets down there in Australia, so we wiped that off straight away. He’s got a screw in his leg from an old injury and that is a straight no-no from them.

“That’s fine, those are the rules and at least we know now and not when they let us get all the way down there.

“I don’t know if he’s an Irish Cesarewitch horse or we let him run in an Irish Leger, we’ll have to see but I’d definitely like to move him up in grade to a Group Two or a Group Three at some stage.”

William Buick celebrates winning the Sky Bet Ebor on Ethical Diamond
William Buick celebrates winning the Sky Bet Ebor on Ethical Diamond (Richard Sellers/PA)

He went on: “We’ve just been trying to find the right tactics that suit him but it’s taken me 18 months to do that and now he’s won at Royal Ascot and the Ebor.

“Now that we have a way to ride him, he’d probably win a nice race over hurdles, I think tactics have been the making of him.”

Of landing a major summer prize, Mullins added: “Winning races on the Flat like this gives me exactly the same buzz as winning big races over jumps, for sure. To come here and win races like this, it’s why you do the game.”

Buick said: “He won the Duke of Edinburgh so well and any time Willie asks you to ride a horse, you’re grateful for the call-up – they don’t come over for the fun of it.

“I had a good trip from a wide draw. We were never going to fight to get in or do anything spectacular, we accepted it. Willie just said stay out there and let him get in his rhythm and if you get a tail to follow then great.

“I was comfortable throughout the whole race really and he’s got that killer turn of foot which set him apart from the others today.”

It was a one-two-three for Ireland with Henry de Bromhead training the runner-up Ascending and Aidan O’Brien saddling third-placed Queenstown.

De Bromhead said of his runner: “I’d say he just lacked a bit of speed late on, I thought he’d quicken a bit better.

“Seamie gave him a super ride and I thought we were going better than anything but the other lad quickened past him.

“He gave me my first Ascot winner, we’re delighted to be here, we’ve had a really good day and he’s ran an absolute belter.”

Never So Brave hits Group One target in City of York

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Never So Brave successfully graduated to the highest level in a pulsating renewal of the Sky Bet City of York Stakes, with hot favourite Rosallion only fourth.

Never So Brave joined Andrew Balding following Sir Michael Stoute’s retirement and since finishing a close second on his stable debut at Chester, the four-year-old had dominated the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot in June before following up in the Group Two Summer Mile at the Berkshire track last month.

He was 7-2 to complete his hat-trick in a race carrying Group One status for the first time, with Richard Hannon’s Rosallion an even-money shot after being beaten a nose and neck in the Queen Anne and Sussex Stakes respectively.

With Quinault setting a strong gallop from the off, the two market principals were given time to find their feet before being delivered and it was Never So Brave who hit the front under Oisin Murphy heading inside the final furlong.

Rosallion did his best to reel him in, with Maranoa Charlie and and Lake Forest also arriving late on the scene to set up a grandstand finish, but Never So Brave clung on to beat the latter by half a length, with Maranoa Charlie and Rosallion close up behind in third and fourth.

Anna-Lisa Balding, assistant to her husband, said: “We’re absolutely delighted, it was a wonderful ride, and thank you Sir Michael Stoute who has been very kind to us.

“He’s matured through the year and Andrew has done a pretty good job, I suppose!

“He ran over a mile last time and was dropping back to seven furlongs today. He has got a few quirks and I think as a colt he probably wouldn’t be as good as he is now – I think the gelding operation has been the making of him.”

The Queen presents the trophy to Oisin Murphy after Never So Brave's York success
The Queen presents the trophy to Oisin Murphy after Never So Brave’s York success (Richard Sellers/PA)

Philip Robinson, racing manager for winning owner Saeed Suhail, said: “Slowly, and bit by bit, he’s improved until we’ve got to the Group One.

“It’s been absolutely perfect. Andrew has taken his time and gradually climbed the ladder and now the horse has got so much confidence, which he needed to win today.

“He was tough. I was quite confident once he got to the front as it looked to me like he was fighting everything off and we know he gets a mile, which is an added bonus when you get into a tight finish over seven furlongs as you know they’re going to keep going.”

Never So Brave is 10-1 from 16-1 with Coral for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot. When asked whether that was a likely target, Robinson added: “It’s a possibility. We’ll have to sit down with the owner and trainer and see where we go next, but I’d imagine he’ll stay in training next year as well.”

Tarriance triumphs in Melrose thriller at York

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Andrew Balding claimed his third Sky Bet Melrose Handicap in the last six years as Tarriance touched off Many Men in a barnstorming finish at York.

The Kingsclere handler saddled his top-class stayer Coltrane to land the £170,000 contest in 2020 and having followed up 12 months later with Valley Forge, he fired a twin assault this time around.

Tarriance, winner of two of his four previous starts, appeared the stable’s first string at 5-1 and travelled strongly into the home straight under a confident Colin Keane.

After briefly hitting a flat spot, Tarriance got his second wind inside the final furlong and he and Jim Boyle’s well backed 9-2 favourite Many Men soon drew clear of the chasing pack before passing the post almost as one, but the judge confirmed Balding’s charge as the winner by a nose.

Keane said: “I wasn’t sure on crossing the line if we’d got there. To be fair, Oisin’s (Murphy, riding Many Men) horse probably helped him, but he quickened up nicely and then got a bit lonely.

“He’s a horse who has progressed with each run and stepping up in trip has helped.

“He’s a nice staying horse going forward, in time he’ll get further, he’s got a good mind and wants to win as well. I’d say there’s a bit more to come.”

Barry Mahon, racing manager for owners Juddmonte, said: “Hopefully he’s going to make up into a nice horse for staying races next season.”

Tim Easterby trained Winter Power to win the 2021 Nunthorpe for King Power Racing and in her sister Revival Power (13-2), he has another speedy filly on his hands for the same connections.

She battled back gamely to see off Military Code to win the Julia Graves Roses Stakes by a head.

“She’s a big filly who is weak and she can only get better,” said Easterby.

“It’s a long shot she’ll be as good as her sister, but not many are.

“She’s won a Listed race so we’ll see what we do, something like the Cornwallis might be a race to look at.”

Northern Ticker (12-1) and Danny Tudhope led home veteran stablemate Commanche Falls to give trainer Michael Dods a one-two in the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap.

Dods said: “He’s always been a good horse, even last year. He won his two then we went for the Two Year Old Trophy Trophy at Redcar thinking he could win it (finished third). Paul Mulrennan rode him as he does at home, he had to ride for Jim Goldie today, and he just got there too soon.

“There’s been nothing wrong with him this season but it’s been frustrating waiting for some softer ground. He’s so raw he needed races, which is why he ran at Hamilton.

“I’d have been disappointed if he was beaten today, even off 99, but it’s just a shame he had to beat Commanche Falls.

“He’s a very strong traveller so Ayr has to be on the radar. Danny said he’s so straightforward, so it will probably be that next and we’ll see where he ends up next year.”

Tudhope doubled up in the concluding Sky Bet Steve Birch Finale Handicap aboard 11-1 shot Dain Ma Nut In, who provided Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore with a first winner since their training partnership became official.

“He’s a very game horse but he’s not an easy ride. Steve (Fox, brother of stable jockey Derek) rides him out every day at home and I don’t know how he perseveres with him to be honest – he’s a bit of a handful,” said Tudhope.

“He’s a keen-going sort who likes to get on with things and when the second horse (Per Contra) came upsides me, he just ran away from him.

“He’s a little bit tricky and awkward to ride, but he keeps going for you.”

King Of Cities secures Strensall crown

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King Of Cities narrowly outpointed Boiling Point to provide owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid with a one-two in the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes at York.

A quality field of eight runners went to post for the Group Three opener on the fourth and final day of the Ebor Festival, with the William Haggas-trained Bullet Point the 9-4 favourite to make it two wins on the Knavesmire this week following a lucrative handicap success on Thursday.

Boiling Point set out to make all the running, with Bullet Point and King Of Cities his nearest pursuers – and while the market leader weakened when push came to shove, the Richard Hannon-trained 11-1 shot King Of Cities came home strongly under Sean Levey to get up by a head.

Skukuza, who was ridden with more restraint, was finishing best of all and was only a neck further behind in third, with Bullet Point faltering into seventh.

Hannon said: “We’ve always thought a lot of this horse but he has been a bit wayward on occasions, but it was Sheikh Mohammed Obaid’s idea to run him over this trip.

“He missed the break again but that might have worked in his favour today as the plan was to make the running – I’m delighted.

“He’s nearly won a lot of money so his owner will be very pleased as he’s a home bred – we ran him in the French Derby.

“This was a ‘win and you’re in’ for the Bahrain International and I’ll speak to his owner to see what he wants to do, he’d certainly have no issues with the travelling.

“He’s got a big future, he’s all about next year.

“We’ll see where we go next, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid will make the call and he was adamant about stepping him up in trip – and he was right.

“He’s a good horse. He’s by that stallion Dubawi, I don’t know if you’ve heard of him but he’s got a future!”

Frescobaldi helps Ryan Moore reach century of York winners

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Ryan Moore secured his 100th winner at York aboard Frescobaldi in the British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes.

It has not been the week many expected for Moore, with dual Derby hero Lambourn and Eclipse winner Delacroix both suffering defeat.

However, he did steer the Richard Hughes-trained Star Of Mehmas to a lucrative handicap success on Wednesday and having made it 99 course winners when getting back in the Group One-winning groove on Minnie Hauk in Thursday’s Yorkshire Oaks, he reached the landmark on Friday.

Frescobaldi, fifth at the Curragh and second at Fairyhouse on his two previous starts for Aidan O’Brien, was sent off at 100-30 to make it third time lucky in what is traditionally one of the strongest maidens of the season, with a total prize fund of £100,000 up for grabs.

Always to the fore, Frescobaldi was coaxed to the front approaching the final furlong and knuckled down well for pressure to see off the challenge of promising newcomer Spyce by three-quarters of a length.

On reaching his century on the Knavesmire, Moore said: “I’ve always enjoyed riding at York, it’s a great racecourse and hopefully we can keep coming back here.”

Asfoora powers to Nunthorpe victory for Australia

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Australian speedster Asfoora tasted success on British soil once again when blazing her way to victory in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

Henry Dwyer’s horse of a lifetime was a Royal Ascot winner when adding spice to the sprinting scene last year and the enduring enterprise of connections was rewarded on the Knavesmire, as the 11-1 shot bettered last year’s fourth in the hands of Oisin Murphy.

Always ideally placed following the blistering pace set by Karl Burke’s Night Raider, Asfoora hit top gear with a furlong to run, scorching a length and a quarter clear of Kevin Ryan’s 100-1 shot Ain’t Nobody, who finished well for second. William Knight’s Frost At Dawn was third.

Dwyer said: “I’d love to see the replay because it looked like she won quite convincingly.

“When you know they are going to win at the two-furlong marker you are sort of on pretty good terms with yourself. It was an easy watch and it was great to be around a lot of friends, really enjoyable.

“It’s just an incredible buzz to be validated with what you think. It was a little bit dicey and people were doubting her, but we didn’t really lose faith.

“It’s always hard to keep faith when they aren’t winning, but we knew there were no excuses coming into today – it was win or be retired basically, and she’s done the job.”

Henry Dwyer (left) with Asfoora after winning the Nunthorpe
Henry Dwyer (left) with Asfoora after winning the Nunthorpe (Richard Sellers/PA)

Having become only the second Australian-trained winner of the Nunthorpe after Ortensia’s victory in 2012, Asfoora’s stay in Europe is set to continue into the early autumn, with next month’s Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh and the Prix de l’Abbaye on Arc weekend at ParisLongchamp under consideration.

“The Flying Five in Ireland and the Prix de l’Abbaye in France (are options), if she comes through this well,” Dwyer added.

“At this stage, she’s a seven-year-old mare, and she may tell us she doesn’t want to be there any more, but off the back of that result you can’t say that is the case.”

He went on: “We never set out to come over here, there were just no options back in Australia. Australian racing is amazing and the prize-money is amazing, but it just doesn’t quite cater for five-furlong horses like they do over here.

“We are under no illusions – we aren’t Black Caviar or Ortensia. But she’s picked her mark and she’s tough and she turns up and runs her race when the circumstances are right and she’s done that today.

“Ortensia is the only Australia sprinter to win the Nunthorpe before and it’s probably the second biggest sprint in Europe, so it’s amazing for us to win it too.”

Lifeplan pounces in Gimcrack for Declan Carroll and Zak Wheatley

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A significant step up in class proved no barrier to success for Declan Carroll’s Lifeplan in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes at York.

A €165,000 yearling purchase in October last year, the Kodi Bear colt made a winning start to his career at Thirsk in late July but faced a far sterner test at Group Two level on the Knavesmire.

Settled in midfield by Zak Wheatley for much of the six-furlong contest, Lifeplan (13-2) found plenty when asked to reel in Rock On Thunder and was a length in front at the line, with 2-1 favourite Do Or Do Not five lengths further behind in third, as he again placed in a Pattern event.

“He’s a very nice horse and he’s always showed that he’s a nice horse,” said Malton-based Carroll.

“I would have liked a bit more juice in the ground, he changed legs once or twice.

“He’s a nice horse to go forward with, you saw how he ran down the leader and we’ve always held him in high regard.

“I thought it was a stiff task after just winning a novice to come into a Group Two, but he is very streetwise.

“We’ll enjoy today. He could be a Guineas horse, I guess, he’s in the Middle Park and that may his next step, but I’d want a bit of ease in the ground coming into the dip at Newmarket.”

Lifeplan and Zak Wheatley after winning the Gimcrack Stakes at York
Lifeplan and Zak Wheatley after winning the Gimcrack Stakes at York (Richard Sellers/PA)

A jubilant Wheatley – who is still eligible to claim 3lb – said: “It’s amazing – there’s no feeling like this. To be trusted with him on the track is massive. I look after him every day at home, so I know him well.

“He was a bit keen going down and we had a plan to get a lead, but he jumped smart and came back underneath me after a few strides. It’s a long straight and he really took off at the end.

“I thought at one stage we were struggling to get the runner-up, but this horse is amazing. He’s a beast, that’s got such an engine.”

Of Rock Of Thunder, fellow Malton trainer Kevin Ryan said: “We were a little bit concerned about the ground, that it might be a little bit too quick for him, but he handled it OK.

“He’s jumped, he’s travelled and got up fairly quickly when we went past the two and I thought it was done and dusted.

“But he’s a very good horse, we think an awful lot of him and he’ll have bigger and better days ahead.

“When you get done late on it’s hard, Declan is a friend of mine and I’m delighted for him, but I’m obviously disappointed.

“He’s run great, he’s a young horse and an exciting horse for the future. We got beat and I’m delighted for the connections of the winner.”

Trawlerman digs deep for Lonsdale Cup glory

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Trawlerman confirmed himself as the standout performer in the staying division in the Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes at York.

John and Thady Gosden’s seven-year-old won the Ebor on the Knavesmire three years ago and remained unbeaten on home soil this season with a performance that may have been less conclusive than his Gold Cup romp, but equally impressive in the manner in which he professionally repelled his rivals.

Unable to get his own way at the front this time with Aidan O’Brien’s Shackleton alongside throughout the majority of the early exchanges, William Buick pushed his mount along entering the home straight and asked for him to showcase the stamina that is his forte.

Unlike at Royal Ascot when the 5-6 favourite left his rivals trailing, they were queuing up in his slipstream this time around but Trawlerman showed his relentless staying power to gallop on to the line and lead home a Clarehaven one-two, with well-backed stablemate Sweet William a length and a quarter adrift in second.

Trawlerman was made the 6-4 favourite from 2-1 with Coral for the Qipco Long Distance Cup at Ascot on British Champions Day, with his handler suggesting that would be his next target.

John Gosden said: “The two of them have come away and they are proper, proper staying horses.

“One is seven and the other is six, and they are a lot of fun because staying races are an important part of our programme, so it’s lovely to see him come from the Gold Cup to win the Lonsdale.

“We will freshen him up now and all being well, he will run one more time this year at Ascot on Champions Day.

“The horses tell you if you listen to them, if you force them, it never works. We are delighted with them both and to see the quality of that, it’s a long straight here and it was a proper old battle between the pair of them.

“It will be Doncaster (for Sweet William) all being well.

“He’s (Trawlerman) getting on, and you have to respect his age.

“They tell you how to train, the older they get, they get a little wiser than the trainer, so you listen to them and they tell you.”

Al Nayyir delighted trainer Tom Clover in finishing third, beaten a total of five and a half lengths

He said: “He ran a lovely race, they didn’t go overly hard but he was able to pick up nicely.

“I think now, with the age he is, he might just appreciate a little more cut in the ground but that said, we’ve given them a good race and we’re thrilled with our boy.

“He deserves to pick up a Group race at some point and hopefully he can do that soon.

“Doncaster might come a touch soon for him, we’ll have to see how he is, otherwise there’s the Listed Rose Bowl at Newmarket.”

Hipop De Loire one of three Ebor chances for Willie Mullins

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Hipop De Loire, Ethical Diamond and Charlus give the all-conquering Willie Mullins a formidable hand in his bid for a third victory in the Sky Bet Ebor at York on Saturday.

The Closutton maestro saddled the mare Sesenta to score in 2009, while high-class dual-purpose performer Absurde also landed Britain’s richest handicap two years ago.

Hipop De Loire (Colin Keane) heads the market, having suffered trouble in running on his way to finishing fifth 12 months ago. He warmed up for his second attempt with a dominant victory over hurdles at Galway.

Patrick Mullins, assistant to his father, said: “Hipop looked very unlucky last year and we’ve planned to get him back here in one piece and in good form.

“He had a good confidence booster in Galway, obviously he’s got plenty of weight (9st 10lb), but it looks like he has everything – he just needs to get the rub of the green he didn’t get last year.”

Ethical Diamond (William Buick) won the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, but does have to contend with an 8lb rise for that emphatic victory, while Charlus (Jamie Spencer) disappointed as a leading fancy for the Copper Horse Stakes at the Royal meeting and was well-held in third in a Galway conditions event.

Ethical Diamond winning the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot
Ethical Diamond winning the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)

Mullins added: “Ethical Diamond is stepping up a little bit in trip, but the whole thing with him is just getting him to settle.

“He’s drawn wide (stall 21) and William will probably have to get him settled and ride a race after that, I’d imagine.

“Charlus had a bad draw in Ascot and ran too keen. We might change tactics with him and we definitely haven’t seen the best of him, but it is going to be a big ask.”

There are plenty of other major contenders from Ireland including Aidan O’Brien’s pair of London City and Queenstown, Joseph O’Brien’s Mr Percy and the Henry de Bromhead-trained Ascending, who has won his last three Flat starts including the Ascot Stakes on his most recent appearance.

French Master after winning the Copper Horse Stakes
French Master after winning the Copper Horse Stakes (John Walton/PA)

The home team is headed by John and Thady Gosden’s French Master, winner of the Copper Horse for the Wathnan Racing team before coming up short in the Goodwood Cup.

Connections are hoping the application of a visor might help raise his game on his return to handicap company, with Wathnan’s racing manager Richard Brown saying: “He’s got a wide draw (stall 22), which I think in a funny way might actually suit him.

“James (Doyle) is unfortunately off, but Rab (Robert Havlin) knows him well and I’m sure he will be able to take his time from that draw back down into a handicap after running in the Group One at Goodwood.

“It was a very big performance when he won at Royal Ascot and big enough that John and Thady were happy to jump him straight up to Group One company. It’s slightly calmer waters, but it’s obviously a hugely competitive race and we’ll need a lot of luck.

“He’s a classy horse though, and we’re still hoping at some stage he will turn into a stakes performer.”

At bigger odds Brian Ellison is hoping for a positive showing from his stable star Onesmoothoperator, who was fourth behind Al Qareem in the Silver Cup at York last month.

Ellison said: “He worked on Tuesday and it was probably as good a piece of work he has done in a while, so hopefully he is peaking just right.

“This has always been the plan after going to Dubai, to give him a couple of runs and come here and he seems to be in great fettle.

“It’s always a hard race, but we’re hopeful.”

Al Qareem out for another York raid in the Lonsdale Cup

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York regular Al Qareem is ready to go “toe-to-toe” with Gold Cup hero Trawlerman in the Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup as he seeks his third Knavesmire success of the summer.

Only Aidan O’Brien’s Gold Cup runner-up Illinois has been able to stop Karl Burke’s six-year-old in his last four starts and connections are raring to have a crack at John and Thady Gosden’s staying star, who will be out to replicate his Royal Ascot heroics and remain unbeaten on home soil in 2025.

“I did think the race would turn out stronger than it is so I’m pleased to see only six in the field,” said Nick Bradley, managing director of owners Nick Bradley Racing.

Al Qareem in action at York
Al Qareem in action at York (Martin Rickett/PA)

“Trawlerman of course will be hard to beat, he’s drawn four and we’re drawn five. I’m looking forward to seeing who leads and I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing those two go toe-to-toe at the two-furlong pole and may the best horse win.

“He’s got a good course record but I think that’s more because we’ve handpicked those races and he’s run well at places like Ascot and Chester as well, so I don’t think it’s because of the track necessarily.”

A winner of 11 of his 31 career starts, Al Qareem has long been a reliable source of success for his connections and his performance on the Knavesmire could prove key in Bradley hitting some ambitious targets for the current campaign.

He added: “My target for this year is £1.4million in prize-money and 60 winners and I’m thinking if I can be at £1.1million by the end of this month, I will be in good shape.

“If Al Qareem finishes second I think I’ll get there, so I will be relying on him quite a lot and it’s a credit to Karl and his team and the horse himself as we have a standard-bearer who tries so hard every time he lines up.”

Trawlerman is joined in the line-up by Clarehaven stablemate and stalwart of the division Sweet William, with Shackleton the chosen representative of Ballydoyle and Saeed bin Suroor’s Gold Cup third Dubai Future also engaged.

The field is completed by Tom Clover’s Al Nayyir, who was agonisingly denied by Vauban in this 12 months ago and suffered a similar fate at Sandown when last seen in the Esher Stakes.

“We’re really happy with the horse and he looks to have trained nicely since his run at Sandown,” said Clover.

Al Nayyir was second in this race last year (
Al Nayyir was second in this race last year (Mike Egerton/PA)

“I always wonder if this is the time of year he is at his best as he does come to hand a bit, which is encouraging. He looks super in himself and we will keep everything crossed for a big run.

“The only slight niggle for us is the ground and being that little bit older he might not want it this tight, but he has gone very well on it previously and has been working very well.

“It’s obviously going to be a very tall ask and although there are only six runners, it looks deep. But I do think he warrants his place in this field and if the others go really hard, it might set up well for him.”

There is also Group Two action in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes, where Ed Walker’s Do Or Do Not looks to turn some consistent form into a deserved success.

Do Or Do Not (left) has been a model of consistency
Do Or Do Not (left) has been a model of consistency (Joe Giddens/PA)

Second in both the Coventry Stakes and July Stakes before also finishing third in a strong renewal of the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, he now reverts to six furlongs with first-time cheekpieces in place.

“He’s been a very fun two-year-old and unlucky not to win one, but he’s been aimed high and we’re doing so once again,” said Walker.

“He’s in good form and I don’t see any problem with the drop back to six furlongs. They went very very fast when he couldn’t go with them down the hill in the July Stakes at Newmarket and I think he will be all right and we’re going to run him in cheekpieces.

“He ran really well at Goodwood as well and his form is really rock solid.”

Burke’s dual winner Reciprocated and Declan Carroll’s Thirsk novice scorer Lifeplan are other interesting names among a field of eight.

Lady Iman primed for Nunthorpe challenge

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Ger Lyons may have taken some persuading to mount a Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes challenge with Lady Iman, but owner Roger O’Callaghan has always had York’s showpiece sprint circled on his calendar.

It was after the talented daughter of Starman had impressed in her first three outings that O’Callaghan first suggested taking on her elders on the Knavesmire and now with the Group One assignment coming into view, connections are determined to keep their feet firmly on the ground.

O’Callaghan said: “I said to Ger Lyons on June 28 in the parade ring before the race she got beat in that the race for Lady Iman is the Nunthorpe.

“I kind of had it in my head that five furlongs was her bag and then when she went to Goodwood, she proved she’s good at it (in winning the Molecomb Stakes).

“We’re looking forward to it, but we’ve enough going on to keep us busy and most of the time you would think you’ll get beat, don’t you?

“Prepare yourself for the worst and hope for the best is what they say. It’s just nice to be good enough to compete in the race, even if the trainer didn’t really want to and as we’ve said before, we’ll have a go.”

Kingsgate Native was the last two-year-old Nunthorpe winner in 2007 while The Platinum Queen was runner up in 2022, with both horses having been sold by the O’Callaghan family’s Tally-Ho Stud.

O’Callaghan added: “It’s kind of cool to be having a go at the Nunthorpe with Lady Iman and we actually sold Kingsgate Native to Anthony Bromley and John Best at Doncaster, while the last two-year-old to run well in the race was The Platinum Queen and we sold her too, it’s a race we like.”

Asfoora is a seasoned campaigner in Britain now
Asfoora is a seasoned campaigner in Britain now (David Davies/PA)

Australian ace Asfoora finished fourth in the race 12 months ago and is back for another crack after unplaced runs at Royal Ascot and Goodwood so far this summer.

“I think we’re in good shape heading into York and we’ve been happy with her the last few weeks after Goodwood,” said trainer Henry Dwyer.

“I know she didn’t run as well as we had hoped at Goodwood and I think that was more based on the track conditions. We were thinking about scratching there but we knew we needed to run to get her ready for York and she came through it well.

“We thought she was a bit flat after Ascot so had to back off her a little bit heading into Goodwood and then the rain came. She ran and only got beat two and a quarter lengths with things against her but with things in her favour on Friday, I think she will go really well.”

The winner of Asfoora’s last outing in the King George Stakes was John and Sean Quinn’s reopposing Jm Jungle, while second at Goodwood was Jack Davison’s She’s Quality, who has been knocking on the door with regularity this term.

Jm Jungle (centre, green silks) edged out She's Quality at Goodwood
Jm Jungle (centre, green silks) edged out She’s Quality at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA).

“I keep telling myself her turn will come soon and we’ve been working towards this big one and let’s just hope it goes to plan on Friday,” said Davison.

“She’s got tremendous raw speed and it’s going to be fast and furious up the Knavesmire, but we’re really looking forward to it.”

Arizona Blaze, the Commonwealth Cup second who impressed at the Curragh last time, is a third Irish-trained contender for in-form trainer Adrian Murray.

“We couldn’t be happier with the horse he’s in great order and he’s drawn in mid-division so he’ll have options in the race,” he said.

Juddmonte Irish Oaks Weekend – Day One – The Curragh Racecourse
Arizona Blaze (right) scorching to victory at the Curragh (Niall Carson/PA)

“Without doubt he’s ready and he’s done everything well for us up to now. He will have to step up again you would think, but there’s no time like the present. He’s been a star for us and has won well on quick ground in places like the Breeders’ Cup so it’s all systems go.”

Second to Arizona Blaze in the Sapphire Stakes was Mgheera, who excelled earlier in the season and is one of two in the mix for Ed Walker alongside last year’s Lowther Stakes scorer Celandine.

“It looks the perfect set-up for Mgheera and I think she has slightly gone under the radar having only run the once at the Curragh since winning the Temple Stakes,” said Walker. “She will love the fast ground and has been training very well.

“It will be very interesting coming back to five furlongs with Celandine, but I’m looking forward to trying it and I think she will cope with it.”

Course winner Sayidah Dariyan represents Richard Hughes in a race he famously claimed with Oasis Dream and Sole Power as a jockey.

Philip Robinson, racing manager to owner Jaber Abdullah, said: “I’m very keen on her and I love this filly. For me, I think she could end up the best sprinting filly in the country.

“She got the track experience at York last time and we know that will suit and Ryan Moore is on board so she ticks a good few boxes.”

Bullet Point well made in York handicap

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Bullet Point could make a swift return to York on Saturday after stamping his class on Thursday’s £150,000 Clipper Handicap.

A winner at Newcastle and Newmarket in the autumn, the William Haggas-trained four-year-old picked up where he left off when completing his hat-trick at the Craven meeting in April and emerged with plenty of credit when second in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot next time.

Having again filled the runner-up spot at the Berkshire track last month, Tom Marquand’s mount was the 15-8 favourite to regain winning ways on the Knavesmire and while he was briefly caught in a pocket, he quickened up smartly once the gap came to win by a length from Cerulean Bay.

Haggas said: “He’s lovely, going round a bend probably helped him and he did that well today.”

Bullet Point has been declared for the Group Three Sky Bet Strensall Stakes this weekend and could well bid for a second win on the Knavesmire before a planned trip across the globe next month.

“He’s declared for the Strensall and we always looked at doing both so we’ll see now. We’ll have a look at him on Saturday morning,” Haggas added.

“He’s going to go into quarantine to go to Australia on September 28 to run in a race called the Five Diamonds (Rosehill, November 8) which is a nine-furlong five-year-old (southern hemisphere) only race.”

Charlotte’s Web (11-4 joint-favourite) shone for Simon and Ed Crisford when taking the British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes.

Stepping to a mile and half under Danny Tudhope, the four-year-old travelled patiently before making headway int he final furlongs to score by a head from Crepe Suzette.

Ed Crisford said: “We’re really pleased, she’s taken another step forward.

“We were slightly concerned about the trip because we were stepping up to the mile and a half for the first time, but she travelled super well and came into the race nicely.

“We wanted to take our time today and that’s what Danny did. That last half-furlong you could see her tying up a bit, bit she got away with it.

“There’s no immediate plans, but there should be plenty for her. I think she’d probably like a bit softer ground.”

Andrew Balding’s Stellar Sunrise justified 100-30 favouritism in straightforward fashion in the Mews Hotel Ossett EBF Stallions Nursery Handicap.

The Space Blues colt had beaten the highly regarded Naval Light on his previous outing and thrived for the step up to seven furlongs.

“Andrew has always loved this colt and he won really well at Goodwood. This was always the plan,” said Harry Herbert, representing owners Royal Ascot Racing Club.

“Oisin (Murphy) was so confident this week and said he was probably his best ride of the week so it’s lovely to see him do it.

“I’d imagine we’re looking at black-type races.”

The British EBF Fillies’ Handicap was then claimed by William Knight’s Royal Velvet, who bounced back from a blip last time out with a one-length victory under William Buick at 12-1.

“I don’t know what was up with her at Newmarket the last day,” said the trainer.

“We were scratching our heads, but that was an impressive performance today.

“We’ll probably start looking for some black type, I just don’t want the ground to go for her.”

Royal Fixation is Lowther queen for Ed Walker

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Royal Fixation sprinted away from the field to land Group Two honours in the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York.

Trained by Ed Walker and ridden by William Buick, the 5-2 joint-favourite was settled well off the pace in the six-furlong contest and had plenty of ground to make up as the race began in earnest.

But once Buick got lower in the saddle, Royal Fixation picked up in style to beat market rival America Queen by a length. Staya also made late gains to be beaten a further two lengths in third.

Royal Fixation was going one place than at Newmarket, where she had finished runner-up in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes on what was just her second career outing.

Walker said: “We’ve always thought a lot of her and she ran a huge race at Newmarket. It’s been a really long six weeks since then, we’ve let her down and had to build her back up and then you start wondering if you’ve got it right or is she too fresh.

“She’s so good, what is exciting is that she still looked a bit green off the bridle, when he first asked her she just wandered around a bit.

“She’ll get further, for sure, but she won’t go to the Fillies’ Mile, I think we’ll go to the Cheveley Park. She’s quick, she’s got loads of speed, she’s got a very fast female line and I think she’d be too keen over a mile at the moment.”

Richard Hughes said of runner-up America Queen: “She can only improve. Ryan (Moore) just had to commit probably 50 yards earlier than he would have liked and you’re there to be shot at on an inexperienced horse, but she’s run a blinder and we can’t ask for more.

“The winner is a good filly and they opened up on the field, which is good. I’m gutted, but pleased.”

He added: “The Cheveley Park has always been in my mind, so we’ll have a little think about it. She’ll definitely be running again before that, but where we’re not sure yet. It was all about today first.”

George Scott was also pleased with the effort of third home Staya, saying: “She ran a really nice race. They raced on the far side and it got very tight and didn’t go to plan at all, but she’s run with great credit again and she’s probably well capable of going one or two better in this grade in the future.

“It just didn’t happen or pan out for us today. She picked up well, but it was too late – it was just the way the race worked out. It was a bit of an unsatisfactory race for us and it’s a little bit frustrating, but the winner has won well and well done to them.

“You’d love to have another run before the Cheveley Park, but we’ll see how she is.”

Minnie Hauk at concert pitch for Yorkshire Oaks date

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Minnie Hauk bids to win a fourth different Oaks in the Pertemps Network-sponsored Yorkshire version on Thursday.

Aidan O’Brien’s Frankel filly has been outstanding so far this season, collecting three successive Oaks titles starting with the Listed Cheshire contest, before adding Classic strikes in both the Epsom and Curragh editions.

Now she turns her attention to the Knavesmire, with only three rivals opting to take her on in the mile-and-a-half Group One – including Ribblesdale-winning stablemate Garden Of Eden.

“This was always the obvious place to bring Minnie Hauk after the Curragh and she seems in good form since then,” said O’Brien.

“The trip and ground are perfect for her and since the Irish Oaks everything has gone well with her.

“Garden Of Eden won the Ribblesdale and then we sent her for the German Oaks but that didn’t work out.

“She was drawn very badly and she just never really got into it, it never happened.”

Ed Walker’s Qilin Queen was eighth behind Minnie Hauk in the Oaks at Epsom, the only real blip in a consistent career thus far that includes a Group Two success in the Prix de Malleret at ParisLongchamp last time out.

“Qilin Queen is a lovely filly who has done nothing wrong in her career,” the trainer said.

“The Oaks was the only bad run in her career and I think you can put that down to the soft ground and she probably wasn’t that happy on the track.

“However, on top of the ground she’s really not put a foot wrong and we know she stays the trip well.

“She will have to step forward significantly to challenge this lot, but she’s entitled to.”

David O’Meara’s Estrange is the other British-trained entrant, a striking grey who has won both starts this season when taking the Lester Piggott Fillies’ Stakes and then the Lancashire Oaks.

She steps up to the top level, although connections are prepared to make a late call on her participation on the Knavesmire, eager to ensure an easier surface for the four-year-old.

“We’ll have a chat to connections tonight and see what they think,” said O’Meara at York on Wednesday.

“I walked it on Monday and I thought they had put plenty of water on and it felt good to soft. The (slow) times (today) could be a little bit of headwind affecting them as much as anything else but I thought they had watered very well.”

Pride Of Arras returns to form with Voltigeur victory

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Pride Of Arras made a brilliant return to the scene of his finest hour to claim a Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York in which dual Derby hero Lambourn misfired.

An impressive winner of the Dante on the Knavesmire earlier in the season, Ralph Beckett’s Pride Of Arras had proven no match for Aidan O’Brien’s Lambourn in both the Derby and Irish equivalent earlier in the season.

Sent off 12-1 in his first outing since being gelded, Rossa Ryan was in no rush as the 4-5 favourite Lambourn was immediately gunned to the front by Ryan Moore to keep close tabs on stablemate Thrice, who was undertaking pace-making duties.

However, unlike in his two Classic triumphs, Lambourn was unable to shrug off his rivals and with the pack swarming, it was Pride Of Arras who hit top gear up at the right time up the long home straight to return a length verdict over Paddy Twomey’s previously unbeaten Carmers.

Lambourn ended up a well-held fifth, with William Haggas’ Arabian Force another to stay on from the rear to take third ahead of Ballydoyle’s Stay True.

Beckett said of the winner: “He was back to his best, all good.

“I actually brought him here slightly underdone, having gelded him at the beginning of July, the week after the Irish Derby. It’s seven weeks on, but I’ve only really done maintenance stuff with him – I haven’t turned the screw with him – slightly because that seemed to suit him the last time we brought him here, and also because I wanted him to run well more than anything else.

“Really we came here with no expectation, but I think the track and the flat nature of York suits him really well. I wasn’t at all happy with the way he moved in the first half-mile at the Curragh, which isn’t exactly undulating anyway. He just wasn’t enjoying himself that day any more than he was at Epsom. After that it was a very easy decision to geld him.

“He’s never been difficult at home and it’s not just the gelding (that’s made the difference) as he suffers respiratory issues as well and that hasn’t helped. It certainly wasn’t helping in the spring and these things are never one specific thing, there’s always layers.”

With Pride Of Arras now not eligible to run in the St Leger or the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Beckett is ready to consider targets further afield, including a possible trip to the Breeders’ Cup.

“I think this place suits him, which sorts of gives us a steer and we’ll probably end up having to travel him, but I wouldn’t be averse to that as I think he’s a different horse now and you could see that today,” the Kimpton Downs handler added.

“I would be tempted to think about California (Breeders’ Cup) and Hong Kong for him. I think the nature of those races will suit him really well.”