York races

Friday's meeting at York was dry and cloudy with very few favourites and some big outsiders winning including 25/1 Auxiliary and 22/1 Amnaa. There was also a double for trainer Declan Carroll (Music Seeker 2:20, Shawaamekh 3:30), which gives him a 38% strike rate. Definitely a trainer to watch.

The 2:20 saw Declan Carroll have the first winner of his double and highlighted his skills in finding top apprentice jockeys. The race had Beverley Bullet and Archie Perkins soon competing for the lead before Beverley Bullet took the pace maker position on. They were tracked by Addis Ababa, Ghalib, Sputnik Planum and Empress Ali. Delph Cresent and Music Seeker were held up towards the rear but little changed in positions in the field until 4 furlongs out when Pioneering, Top Notch Tonto and Sputnik began to be driven. Three furlongs out saw steady headway be made by Music Seeker, Addis Ababa, Mikmak and Archie Perkins who were clear of the field. Beverley Bullet at two furlongs out was being pushed along and was being challenged by Addis Ababa. Music Seeker, Mikamak and Archie Perkins. At the one furlong marker there was a battle between Music Seeker and Addis Ababa, they went well clear of the rest of the field. Music Seeker kept gaining momentum and went on to win by 1 length, second was Addis Ababa by 2 lengths, third was Archie Perkins who kept on in the final furlong at the same pace, fourth was Beverley Bullet. The winner was ridden by Cian MacRedmond, a 7lb claimer who keeps the winners coming, this being his 8th winner in total.

The fifth race was a listed race, in which there were only five horses. Throughout the race Wadilsafa and Happy Power were the leading pair. They were chased by Oh This Is Us. Sir Dancealot, Raakib and Alhawa were held up in the rear. These positions did not change until three furlongs out when Wadilsafa quickened the pace, Happy Power responded continuing to be close up. Some headway was made by Sir Dancealot and Oh This Is Us. Happy Power headed Wadilsafa at two furlongs out but Oh This Is Us and Sir Dancealot were both soon pushed along. Raakib Alhawa was never really in contention. In the final furlong Happy Power merely extended the lead to the rest of the one paced field. Happy Power was first by 1 1/4 length, second was Wadilsafa by 2 3/4, third was Oh This Is Us by 3/4 length.

Next blog up date will be Tuesday from Thirsk.