Sky Bet Ebor Festival at York review: Tarriance wins Melrose thriller

Tarriance takes Melrose thriller

Tarriance (5/1) provided Andrew Balding with his third success in six runnings of the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap.

Partnered by Colin Keane, Tarriance was settled in the second half of midfield as Cape Breton and Richard Kingscote, wearing the second Juddmonte silks, took the field along but there was to be no repeat of the Sussex Stakes.

Cape Breton was headed by runners on either side as they raced down the centre of the track with Daiquiri Bay and Tarriance closest to the stands and Many Men (9/2 favourite) challenging on the inner.

Tarriance had appeared to be travelling with some ease but had to knuckle down and fight having seen off the challenge of Daiquiri Bay. He and Many Men drew closer together with the latter under a full Oisin Murphy drive and it was neck and neck all the way to the wire with a photo needed to separate the pair.

When the call did come in favour of Tarriance, the winning distance was the bare minimum of a nose.

Daiquiri Bay was three and a half lengths back in third with Sea of Kings fourth.

Keane told Racing TV: "I wasn't sure [if I'd won] to be honest with you, it was heads up, heads down and luckily we were on the right side of it.

"He quickened up well I thought but got a little bit lonely but then Oisin came to him and Oisin maybe got up a neck, half-a-length but he didn't get any further and my horse wasn't stopping and I had a very willing partner thankfully. He's a very uncomplicated horse, good mind and wants to win."

Barry Mahon, representing the owners added: "I wasn't sure, then they showed the freeze frame and when I saw that, I had a bit of confidence. In fairness, Andrew said this morning the horse is working very well and he'd really improved the last six to eight weeks, he's been a late bloomer.

"He's definitely getting there now and when these horses start taking off like this you don't know where they'll stop. He loves a battle and he stays well and Colin said when Oisin came him, it helped him, he stuck his head out and went again.

"We've no immediate plans, we'll see what the handicapper does, today was our major target.

"The St Leger entry was speculative, these races close early and Andrew felt he was improving so we popped him in it. Colin felt it might come a little bit soon for him. He's a horse we might take our time with and he could develop into a good staying horse next season."

Ticker gets pulses racing

Northern Ticker (16/1) led home a one-two for Michael Dods in the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap.

Advised by Matt Brocklebank at 18/1 in his Value Bet column, Northern Ticker finished best of all towards the stands' side with rivals spread across the width of the Knavesmire.

Ultimately it was his veteran stablemate Commanche Falls who gave him most to do, finishing just ahead of 4/1 joint-favourites Pocklington and Two Tribes.

The quartet were separated by a head, a neck and a head in a thrilling heat.

The winning handler said: "He's always been a good horse, even last year we knew he was good.

"He won his two novices and maidens and then we went for the Trophy [at Redcar], thinking he could win it to be honest.

"Paul Mulrennan got a feel for him because he always rides him but he had to ride Jim's [Goldie] today and he basically got there too soon, he pricked his ears and he got beat obviously, but since then we've just struggled to be fair.

"This season, nothing wrong with him, just the ground's been too firm and the only place we were really happy to run him was when he went to Hamilton, ran a good race but he's so raw he needs races to teach him and Danny [Tudhope] said he got there too soon today.

"He gave him a great ride but I've got to be a bit disappointed he beat Commanche Falls who is the yard favourite. It's great to finish first and second anyway.

"He's a very strong traveller and we've got to have that [the Ayr Gold Cup] on his radar, that's probably going to be his next run I would say. That race could suit him and that's where I'd expect him to go now.

"I could easily see him stepping up into Listed and Group races next year, he won't be doing it this year and we'll enjoy what's happening now."

Tudhope completed a double with another fine ride aboard Dain Ma Nut In (11/1) in the Sky Bet Steve Birch Finale Handicap.

Trained by Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore, Dain Ma Nut In appeared to be a sitting duck having led from the start.

The well supported Per Contra joined issue but couldn't get past the terrifically game winner as they drifted across towards the inside of the course. On the stands' side, 10/3 favourite Westridge and Castle Stuart were also finishing off their races to good effect but had to settle for a share of third, beaten just two necks.

Seagalozo was a last ride in Britain for Kingscote who flies to Hong Kong on Sunday and a last appearance for the popular Sir Busker who briefly looked as though he might get involved only for his run on the inside to flatten out.

She's never seen a helicopter on our gallops

Revival Power (13/2) had just enough in the locker to repel the late charge of Military Order in the Julia Graves Roses Stakes.

Eventual third and favourite Dickensian was edgy going into the stalls and slow out of them with his race looking over at that point as Revival Power and Zelaina going helter skelter from the gates with Wise Approach tracking the pace.

Zelaina couldn't maintain the gallop but Revival Power, a sister to the same connections' Group 1 winner Winter Power, kept striding on. Eventually Military Order came through to join issue and having drawn alongside, looked the likeliest winner.

He may even have got his head in front but Revival Power, under David Allan, fought back to hit the line first; a result that was only confirmed after another photo finish.

Winning trainer Tim Easterby said: "She's really fast but she's a bit quirky so going down to the start there, she went down early, and on the way down they started a helicopter up, just as she was going past it, that's why he had to get off her because it scared her, she's never seen a helicopter on our gallops.

"She's great, she's good doing everything but I don't like things like that happening.

"Dave said when he really went for her she quickened up but he said she's still very green and he said it's better just letting her roll than trying to hold her. When she came back [from Royal Ascot] she had a bit of ringworm and things like that, scoped dirty, so she wasn't quite right but she's still run a super race.

"She's a big filly, she'll improve with age and time so that was great today.

"Alice has spotted her at the sales and thought I've got to get this one because the other brothers and sisters weren't as nice as her. Winter Power was obviously very good but quirky."

When asked if she was as good as Winter Power, Easterby replied: "If she wins a Nunthorpe, that will do!"

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