Air Force One takes off for York victory Air Force One finished like a rocket to earn a memorable victory for North Yorkshire trainer Geoff Oldroyd in the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap at the Ebor Festival. Third in this race last year, the Starspangledbanner gelding has a good track record on the Knavesmire with a victory and three further placed finishes in eight previous starts. He was in fourth when jockey PJ McDonald pushed Air Force One through the gears at the two-furlong pole and he continued to pick up as he secured a length-and-a-quarter triumph at 13-2, with joint-favourites Corolla Point and Toca Madera coming home in second and third respectively. Oldroyd, who turns 80 in December and trains in nearby Pocklington, declared York as his favourite racecourse and provided owners Bond Thoroughbred Limited with more success in their long-time partnership. Owner Charlie Bond said: “It was the perfect distance – five and a half furlongs for this horse is great. I was a bit concerned about the rain that came a bit earlier. “It’s a great start to the week and we’re very excited about the filly tomorrow (In The Black, Lowther Stakes). The two of them are work partners, so she’s got to be good if she can go with him. “She wasn’t ready at Carlisle, but she won well and she’s come on, so we’ll see how we go.” He added: “Geoff is fantastic at this meeting. We were very unlucky last year – I think we had three or four placed horses who were beaten less than a length between them. “Geoff had this horse really ready for today. We got a bit unfortunate last time – PJ said he wished he’d kicked on. But he’s rode him brilliantly today, we had a great target in front and he’s picked up well. It’s nice when you can cheer for one here at York so far out! “The old man (Reg Bond) loved the racing and loved York. We’re a big sponsor here now, York are very good to us and we’re very good to York, and to have a winner here is just amazing – we can relax for the rest of the meeting now.” Dylan Browne McMongale timed his challenge to perfection on Small Fry (2-1 favourite) to win the Sky Bet Stayers Handicap. Kilmeaden had tried to steal the race from the front and had pulled 15 lengths clear at halfway, which was reduced to eight as they turned into the long home straight. Kilmeaden was swallowed up at the two pole with Small Fry – who had a luckless run when last seen at Goodwood – coming through down the centre of the course to take it up and although Lauren Young gamely gave chase on Mountain Road the line came too soon, with the Joseph O’Brien-trained gelding triumphing by a length. The winning rider said: “It’s a deserved win for him, he’s been running really well on the lead up to this race. We were confident today he would put his best foot forward, and the track – a big galloping course – suited him today. He got into a good rhythm and he picked up well.” The Karl Burke-trained Miss Yechance (9-1) made every yard of the running to win the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap. She was pressed by Manatee Mehmas and Naana’s Shadow on the charge for home, but found more to win by a length and a quarter. Burke said: “Sam James actually won on her first time out for Jack Morland and then she got sold to Dubai, where she did well. “The owner sent her back to us and she didn’t look that well. I said I couldn’t run her at Ascot, but the owners insisted and I couldn’t believe how well she ran off no work (seventh in Palace Of Holyroodhouse). “She ran well at Goodwood after that and we do very little with her, just play around with her and that’s the way to train her. “The owners are keen to take her back out to Dubai, but we might look for some black type first.” Kevin Philippart De Foy’s Henley On Thames (4-1) took advantage of The Dancing Pirate’s misfortune to take the concluding Sky Bet Nursery Handicap. Andrew Balding had earlier landed the Juddmonte International with Item and looked on course for a double, but The Dancing Pirate veered right inside the final furlong when leading, with Henley On Thames then powering to victory by a neck ahead of Super Tuscan. “After winning at Hamilton and the handicapper decided not to change his mark after that race, we were delighted with it,” the Belgian trainer said of the Persian Force colt. “Coming off here on 89, we knew he would improve going six furlongs and he is very straightforward. “I was worried about the rain because he’s only been running on fast ground and I think we got away with it a little bit. He will be better on slightly faster ground than today. “Winners at big meetings are always a plus and for Kia (Joorabchian, owner) and Persian Force – they are tough horses – and hopefully plenty more to come from him.”
