The renowned York Racecourse will host a six-race evening Flat programme on Friday, 24 July, bringing together competitive handicaps, a promising juvenile contest and Listed-class action. The meeting will begin at 5:32pm and conclude at 8:25pm, with more than 70 horses expected to compete across the card. The £70,000 British EBF Lyric Fillies’ Stakes will serve as the feature race of the evening, while each of the remaining five contests will be run for £25,000, ensuring a well-balanced fixture at one of Britain’s premier Flat racing venues.
The evening will get underway with THE HANDICAP STAKES (Class 4) at 5:32pm. The 7-furlong contest for 4YO and older horses will carry prize money of £25,000 and has attracted a competitive field of 18 runners. Alpha Capture, Misunderstood, Lord Bertie, Jonny Concrete, Mr King, Stratocracy and Roaring Ralph are among the expected participants. The opening race will provide an early test for experienced handicappers over one of York’s most competitive distances.
Attention will then shift to THE ELEVATOR COMPANY HANDICAP STAKES (Class 4) (GBBPLUS Race) at 6:05pm. Run over 2 miles and 99 yards for 4YO and older horses, the staying handicap will offer £25,000 in prize money and is expected to feature 13 runners. Talismans Time, Midnight Rumble, Venezuelan, Trojan Sun, Rogue Empire and Tarbat Ness headline the likely line-up. The extended distance should place stamina firmly at the forefront.
Juvenile performers will then take centre stage in THE IRISH EBF RESTRICTED NOVICE STAKES (Class 3) at 6:40pm. The 7-furlong contest for two-year-olds will be worth £25,000 and has drawn eight runners. Diplomacy, Rule of The Agency, The First Drop, The Resdev Rocket, Special Operations, Sweet Iris and Travellers Girl are expected to contest the novice event. The race will offer another opportunity for emerging youngsters to strengthen their early-season credentials.
Sprint specialists will next come to the fore in THE TOMAHAWK HANDICAP STAKES (Class 4) at 7:15pm. Contested over 6 furlongs for 4YO and older horses, the race will carry prize money of £25,000 and has attracted the largest field of the evening with 22 runners. Glory Hyde, Tiva, Grant Wood, Raatea, Almarada Prince, Aberama Gold and HK Fourteen are among the expected runners. With such a sizeable field assembled, another closely contested handicap is anticipated.
Feature race honours will belong to THE BRITISH EBF LYRIC FILLIES’ STAKES (Class 1) (Listed Race) at 7:50pm. Run over 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 99 yards for 3YO and older fillies and mares, the Listed contest will carry total prize money of £70,000, making it the richest race on the programme. The select field of six runners is expected to include Diamond Rain, Miss Justice, Qilin Queen, Regal Charm, Estissa and On Message. As the highest-class contest on the card, it will provide the evening’s principal attraction.
The Friday programme will conclude with THE GO-RACING-IN-YORKSHIRE SUMMER FESTIVAL HANDICAP STAKES (Class 4) at 8:25pm. The 5 furlongs and 89 yards sprint for three-year-olds will offer £25,000 in prize money and has attracted 12 runners. Anaisa, Nursia, Kinnalargy, Go Vince Go, U S S Charleston, Space Bear and Dolos Dream are expected to line up in the closing contest. The sprint finale will bring an entertaining evening of Flat racing to its conclusion.
The York Race Cards 24 July will feature six Flat races, highlighted by the £70,000 British EBF Lyric Fillies’ Stakes and supported by five competitive handicaps and novice contests, offering a quality evening of racing at York Racecourse.
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