Tarriance triumphs in Melrose thriller at York

Andrew Balding claimed his third Sky Bet Melrose Handicap in the last six years as Tarriance touched off Many Men in a barnstorming finish at York.

The Kingsclere handler saddled his top-class stayer Coltrane to land the £170,000 contest in 2020 and having followed up 12 months later with Valley Forge, he fired a twin assault this time around.

Tarriance, winner of two of his four previous starts, appeared the stable’s first string at 5-1 and travelled strongly into the home straight under a confident Colin Keane.

After briefly hitting a flat spot, Tarriance got his second wind inside the final furlong and he and Jim Boyle’s well backed 9-2 favourite Many Men soon drew clear of the chasing pack before passing the post almost as one, but the judge confirmed Balding’s charge as the winner by a nose.

Keane said: “I wasn’t sure on crossing the line if we’d got there. To be fair, Oisin’s (Murphy, riding Many Men) horse probably helped him, but he quickened up nicely and then got a bit lonely.

“He’s a horse who has progressed with each run and stepping up in trip has helped.

“He’s a nice staying horse going forward, in time he’ll get further, he’s got a good mind and wants to win as well. I’d say there’s a bit more to come.”

Barry Mahon, racing manager for owners Juddmonte, said: “Hopefully he’s going to make up into a nice horse for staying races next season.”

Tim Easterby trained Winter Power to win the 2021 Nunthorpe for King Power Racing and in her sister Revival Power (13-2), he has another speedy filly on his hands for the same connections.

She battled back gamely to see off Military Code to win the Julia Graves Roses Stakes by a head.

“She’s a big filly who is weak and she can only get better,” said Easterby.

“It’s a long shot she’ll be as good as her sister, but not many are.

“She’s won a Listed race so we’ll see what we do, something like the Cornwallis might be a race to look at.”

Northern Ticker (12-1) and Danny Tudhope led home veteran stablemate Commanche Falls to give trainer Michael Dods a one-two in the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap.

Dods said: “He’s always been a good horse, even last year. He won his two then we went for the Two Year Old Trophy Trophy at Redcar thinking he could win it (finished third). Paul Mulrennan rode him as he does at home, he had to ride for Jim Goldie today, and he just got there too soon.

“There’s been nothing wrong with him this season but it’s been frustrating waiting for some softer ground. He’s so raw he needed races, which is why he ran at Hamilton.

“I’d have been disappointed if he was beaten today, even off 99, but it’s just a shame he had to beat Commanche Falls.

“He’s a very strong traveller so Ayr has to be on the radar. Danny said he’s so straightforward, so it will probably be that next and we’ll see where he ends up next year.”

Tudhope doubled up in the concluding Sky Bet Steve Birch Finale Handicap aboard 11-1 shot Dain Ma Nut In, who provided Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore with a first winner since their training partnership became official.

“He’s a very game horse but he’s not an easy ride. Steve (Fox, brother of stable jockey Derek) rides him out every day at home and I don’t know how he perseveres with him to be honest – he’s a bit of a handful,” said Tudhope.

“He’s a keen-going sort who likes to get on with things and when the second horse (Per Contra) came upsides me, he just ran away from him.

“He’s a little bit tricky and awkward to ride, but he keeps going for you.”