Last race meeting of the year: what to back at York
What they’re tipping for York: Saturday, October 13
| Race | 2.05 | 2.35 | 3.10 | 3.45 | 4.20 | 4.55 | 5.30 |
| York Press | Jamaican Bolt | Lahaag | Royal Rascal | Heeraat | Mystery Bet | French Hollow | Shamdarley |
| Sporting Life | Singeur | Lahaag | Lucky Beggar | Regal Parade | Fehaydi | French Hollow | Demolition |
| At The Races | Fitz Flyer | Lahaag | Royal Rascal | Heeraat | Mystery Bet | River Dragon | Calaf |
| The Sun | Steps | Chapter Seven | Royal Rascal | Dubawi Sound | Mystery Bet | River Dragon | Tres Coronas |
| Guardian | Kaldoun Kingdom | Chapter Seven | Odooj | Mirza | Gabrial’s Wawa | French Hollow (nap) | Kiwi Bay |
| Daily Mail | Verinco | Lahaag | Mary’s Daughter | Mass Rally | Mystery Bet | French Hollow | Calaf |
| Telegraph | Kyleakin Lass | Lahaag (nap) | Vallarta | Heeraat | Correspondent | River Dragon | Calaf |
| GG.com | Jamaican Bolt | Lahaag | Odooj | Heeraat | Mystery Bet | Mashaari | Calaf |
What they’re tipping for York: Friday, October 12
| Race | 2.00 | 2.30 | 3.05 | 3.40 | 4.15 | 4.50 | 5.20 |
| York Press | Bachoteque | Model Pupil | Green Howard | Anderton | Natural Bloom | Gabrial The Thug | Maven (nap) |
| Sporting Life | Smoothtalkinrascal | Prince Siegfried | Mont Ras (nap) | Sky Garden | Natural Bloom | Gabrial The Thug | Maven |
| At The Races | Burning Blaze | Model Pupil | Green Howard | Bluegrass Blues | Natural Bloom | Gabrial The Thug | Allied Answer |
| The Sun | Bachotheque | Mijhaar | Venutius | Bluegrass Blues | Docs Legacy | Tuscan Fun | Maven |
| Guardian | Bachotheque | Beaten Up | Lord Aeryn | Sky Garden | Natural Bloom (nap) | Esteaming | Allied Answer |
| Daily Mail | Smoothtalkinrascal | Model Pupil | Mont Ras | Anderton | Tawaasul | Kuantan One | Odin |
| Telegraph | Secretinthepark | Model Pupil | Anderiego | Rangooned | Natural Bloom | Soviet Rock | Icebuster |
| GG.com | Bachotheque | Model Pupil | Osteopathic Remedy | Sky Garden | Daddy Warbucks | Gabrial The Thing | Allied Answer |
It all started in May and now we’re at the October Finale – where did that season go? Anyhoo, if you’re off to York races, print and cut out our tipsters table to help you pick a winner.
And here’s Graham Orange, of Go Racing In Yorkshire, with his preview of the two day meeting…
Richest ever finale at York races
The last chance to enjoy racing action at York in 2012 comes on Friday and Saturday (October 12 and 13). With prize money in excess of £260,000, it is the most valuable October meeting ever.
Friday will see the inaugural ‘Countryside Raceday’ while Saturday will be accompanied by the world famous Regimental Band of the Coldstream Guards.
The Coral Sprint Trophy takes pride of place with this famous contest offering prize money of £75,000. Precocious two-year-olds are catered for in The Coral Rockingham Stakes, a £40,000 Listed race. Both feature races are run over six furlongs on Saturday.
Leading bookmaker, Coral support six of Saturday’s seven races, while the Regimental Band will perform during the afternoon and bring the curtain down on the season as they mark the Coldstream Guards Association Cup, a middle-distance handicap race supported by York retailer, Mulberry Hall.
Looking to combine the delights of the country with the excitement of a raceday, the first ever Countryside Day on Friday will offer seven races as well as a showcase of rural activity and products including a sheepdog display courtesy of Carol Melling from ITV’s The Dales, laser clay-shooting and a falconry display.
For those wishing to start their Christmas shopping early there is a Countryside Market of local produce and crafts.
Friday’s seven race programme blends competitive handicaps with contests to develop the two year olds as well as a contest for amateur riders. Regular race sponsors on this day include Acorn Web Offset, Garbutt & Elliott, TSG, and the Parsonage Country House Hotel & Cloisters Spa at Escrick.
The European Breeders’ Fund continue their backing of York with support of the contest for maiden two-year-olds in conjunction with Brittain’s Beverages. The new racing paper published on a Saturday, Racing Plus, also put their name to a contest for maiden juveniles.
Completing the Friday card is the Future Cleaning Services Gentleman Amateur Riders’ Stakes backed by the York firm who provide the cleaning at the Knavesmire.
The meeting will also see the conclusion of the season long contests to be top jockey and trainer at York. In the Living North sponsored jockey’s race, the six-time champion jockey, Kieren Fallon and classic-winning rider, William Buick lead the way with eight winners apiece, followed by North Yorkshire-based David Allan and Philip Makin. With 13 races to be won (as we can safely discount Friday’s race for amateur riders) the competition looks like going down to the wire.
The race to be H.A. Fox Jaguar Top Trainer at York is equally close with Malton trainer, Richard Fahey’s six-year domination of this award facing serious competition. Newmarket-based William Haggas (a Yorkshireman- in -exile) heads the table with eight winners, followed by the North Yorkshire-based pair of Tim Easterby and David O’Meara, who have both recorded seven winners.
Four large screens will cover both racing on the Knavesmire and the major contests from Newmarket’s Future British Champion’s Day on the Saturday. The totepool – backed Punters Panel will offer tips before racing on each day, and there will be a preview of the forthcoming Jumps season in the Parade ring during Friday. The first contest on Friday is at 2-00 pm with Saturday’s card commencing at 2.05pm.