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This novice event run over nine furlongs on soft going was always going to develop into a proper test for young horses, one that the eventual fourth, Schmilsson, seemingly failed to handle after travelling like the likeliest winner for much of the race.
Schmilsson was soon in front under David Probert and he was still on the bridle entering the final three furlongs as those around him started to come under pressure. Schmilsson hit a low of 1.5 in-running, but the cracks started to show when tackled strongly by Secret Image over a furlong out and, by the time the line came, he had been passed by two others having tired quickly in the conditions.
This was Schmilsson’s second start – the first came over an even longer trip at the same venue three weeks earlier – and both times he has delivered more than he promised for a long way. A drop back in trip could now be in order and he will be one to look out for in a similar event at around a mile before the end of the season.
Incidentally, Schmilsson has plenty to recommend him on pedigree, being by Muhaarar out of the Prix de l’Opera winner Zee Zee Top, making him a half-brother to Izzi Top, Jazzi Top and Emaraaty, all of whom showed at least smart form. That only serves to underline the view that we are unlikely to have seen the best of him yet.
Laugh A Minute was the obvious eyecatcher in the Coral Sprint Trophy at York but Boardman could be the one to take from the race with a late-season turf assignment in mind.
Tim Easterby's horse had no chance from stall 17 the way this panned out with all the action on the far side, but he motored home down the middle of the track for fifth despite being at a huge disadvantage.
He won't go up for this and looks to be competitively rated off 92 - and given his ability to win on heavy he might not be done for the season yet.
Ouzo won this handicap 12 months ago from the same mark and he was relatively well found in the market to repeat the feat this year.
His standout effort this season came when finishing fourth in the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot, but he shaped better than the bare result here from a wide draw in a big-field, competitive handicap.
Sean Levey had no choice but to drop him in from the start and, as can often be the case at York, horses who raced towards the rear found it hard to make inroads on the leaders.
Ouzo stayed on steadily in the closing stages, showing enough to suggest he is capable of picking up a similar event in better circumstances.
PUFFIN BAY wasn't quite streetwise enough to make a winning start over timber at Exeter, ultimately going to down a nose to Karlie, who had two point-to-points and three bumper runs already under her belt.
The Oliver Sherwood-trained runner-up jumped inefficiently at times, was clearly green when asked to go about her business, while jockey Daryl Jacob appeared to lose one of his irons after another untidy leap at the last when challenged by Brendan Powell on Karlie.
All things considered she should be considered something close to a 'winner without a penalty' in similar company next time and is still got plenty of time on her side.
Mark Loughnane has only had MASKED IDENTITY a few months but he's getting closer to finding the key to victory with the six-year-old.
His runner-up finish behind Rogue Bear at Nottingham on Wednesday was an excellent effort considering all of the first six home raced prominently apart from Masked Idendity, who weaved through the field from last to second.
Winning is difficult for him, as a career strike-rate of 3 from 29 shows, but two excellent second places in three starts for his new yard suggests he is thriving and it would be no surprise if Loughnane finds a winning opportunity for him soon.
The good thing is he's capable on the all-weather, too, so there should be ample opportunity for him to win again soon while he's still on a mark in the mid-to-late 70s.
Mark Johnston introduced a son of War Command at Brighton on Tuesday and the juvenile colt made a taking debut in third.
Quite well fancied having been sent off 7/2 for the six-runner maiden, he ran green under Franny Norton but ran on well in the final furlong once the penny had dropped.
He can make use of this experience and pick up a maiden before the season is out, with the soft ground on the south coast looking no inconvenience to him.
His half-brother Striding Edge was a better three-year-old, so he could be one to be interested in next year whether he runs again this season or not.
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Conditions were very testing at Pontefract on Monday but even so Fiftyshadesaresdev found the test provided by the Napoleons Casino Bradford Nursery inadequate.
Making his handicap debut from a mark of 71, Micky Hammond's charge missed the break and was held up. He was off the bridle before most but after turning in really began to find his stride.
At the line his late charge carried him into fourth, beaten around two lengths, by Aleezdancer.
His last two runs have been at this six furlong trip but he stayed every inch of the mile when fourth at Thirsk in August and is of obvious interest next time if heading back up in distance.
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