Jaysella’s York Racecard for Saturday 23rd August 2025

Jaysella’s York Racecard for Saturday 23rd August

Sky Bet Strensall Stakes (Group 3) 1.50
Bowmark
Well, I’m hot on Bowmark for the opener on Ebor Saturday here at York. I’m finding it easy to draw a line through his run in the French Derby, the Prix du Jockey Club, where he led until the 2 furlong pole, maybe not seeing out that trip, and it was a tough ask to take that Classic from the front. But, back in May, Bowmark was an easy front running winner of a Novice Stakes here over a mile, and if he can repeat that form, every chance he can take this under William Buick. It does look like King’s Gambit is not at peak form just now, so I’m thinking that Ed Walkers’ Skukuza can be the big danger, though this Blue Point colt does have to give Bowmark 7lbs weight for age allowance, which can make a difference. Richard Hannon’s King Of Cities makes my three, but yep, Bowmark to run them ragged from the front.

Sky Bet Melrose Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 2.25
Tarriance
It’s the Frankel colt Tarriance that I fancy to take the Melrose, and he showed last time out at Sandown Park that he’s got this trip in range, winning with a bit in hand. He’s got a nice attitude Tarriance, doesn’t like to go down easily, so I’m reckoning that this is there for the taking, despite carrying top weight. There’s a few of these on hat-tricks, including The King’s Golden Handshake, Charlie Johnston’s Pole Star and Andrew Balding’s second runner Fantasy World, but for me it’s Tarriance they all have to aim at. Colin Keane’s in the driving seat, and I’m expecting to see him in the Winner’s Enclosure!

Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 1) 3.00
Rosallion (nap)
Simply the best miler of his generation, though could be considered a bit unlucky in his last two races, going down by small margins both times. He bumped into Harry Eustace’s Ascot specialist Docklands in the Queen Anne at the Royal do, going down by a nose, and then couldn’t quite get past the pacemaker Qirat in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Back in trip here, but trainer Richard Hannon and regular jockey Sean Levey will be desperate to notch up another Group One win on the yard’s star miler. That said, you can’t underestimate Andrew Balding’s Never So Brave, who has made huge strides since the switch to this trainer after Sir Michael Stoute’s retirement at the end of last season. Up in grade to a Group One is Never So Brave, but with Oisin Murphy aboard should in no way be discounted. Qirat is back too, so Ralph Beckett will be hoping for another big run, but Sean Levey and Richard Hannon will have worked out the fractions for this 7 furlong race, and these are my three. Rosallion to win, Never So Brave to push him close, nice forecast I reckon.

Sky Bet Ebor Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 3.35
Ethical Diamond (nb)
Willie Mullins has been targeting these valuable handicaps on the flat for quite a while now, and pretty dam good he is at it too. So, I guess I’ve got the choice between Hipop De Loire and Ethical Diamond for the Ebor, and it’s gonna be a bit of loyalty here because I’m going with Ethical Diamond. We here at Yuulo were big on him for the Duke Of Edinburgh at Ascot’s Royal do, and he didn’t let us down, so I’m sticking with him for the Ebor. I know it’s a new trip, well on the flat that is, but I guess that William Buick will drop him in and switch him off, making his move from about 4 furlongs out. Hipop De Loire was of course fifth in this last year, but did have some traffic to deal with, so is back for another stab having been closing in fast at the finish last time. Almosh’her is my each way pick for Karl Burke, if that’s your thing, but Ethical Diamond has got my colours nailed on for this.

Sky Bet Constantine Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 4.10
Two Tribes
Richard Spencer is triple-handed here, but it’s Two Tribes that has got Ryan Moore aboard, so he’s the yard’s number one in my book. He’s fully out there after 20 career starts, but does seem have notched things up a gear winning at Ascot and latest at Goodwood, and that last run in the Stewards’ Cup was specially impressive. Two Tribes is coming out of Stall 2, and that’s proven to be the better end of the draw this week, so I think he’ll improve on last year’s fourth place in this race, where he finished with a flourish. Second in this last year, Richard Fahey’s Strike Red looks a danger, but Two Tribes beat him at Goodwood last time out and can do so again.

Julia Graves Roses Stakes (Listed) 4.45
Military Code
Charlie Appleby has got the main two in this, Military Code and Silent Applause, and William Buick is going to take the ride on Military Code. I’m finding him easy to pick and Thursday’s Lowther Stakes kinda backs that up with Staya a 3 length third in that Group 2 and just a head in front of Military Code when they clashed in the Dragon Stakes at Sandown Park in July. I’m forgiving Military Code’s run in the Molecomb at Goodwood when he was caught on the wrong side of the track to ever be a factor, but he’s capable of winning this. Military Code to march to victory and put Silent Applause into line!

Sky Bet Steve Birch Finale Handicap 5.20
Marhaba Ghaiyyath
Well, if you caught the Podcasts just recently, you’d have heard me banging on about the Ghaiyyath youngsters coming through, so I’m finding Marhaba Ghaiyyath easy to back here. At the risk of repeating myself, which obviously I’m about to do, Ghaiyyath was my horse of 2020, the best 10 furlong colt I’ve seen for many a year. So, now Ghaiyyath’s progeny are on the scene, and I’m altogether pretty excited about that. In this case, not without some justification too, as he’s only found one too good in his last two starts, and those were both decent contests over that 10 furlong trip, and I guess it won’t be too long before Charlie Johnston chucks him in for some Black Type. John & Thady Gosdens’ Westridge looks useful, winning the Chesterfield Cup Handicap last time out at Goodwood, but he’s carrying a bit more here under a penalty, so it’s Marhaba Ghaiyyath for me.