'A stayer with a future' - Tarriance excites Juddmonte with narrow Melrose win but St Leger not on the agenda

Tarriance is as short as 12-1 for the Betfred St Leger after a narrow success in the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap, but the final Classic of the season might not be a target.

The Andrew Balding-trained improver just got the better of Many Men in one of the closest finishes of the week at York to claim a third win from five starts, with Juddmonte's retained jockey Colin Keane aboard.

The success means he qualifies for next year's Ebor over the same course and distance, with connections feeling he could progress into a stayer next season.

Juddmonte's racing manager Barry Mahon said: "I'd say he's a stayer with a future. We'll see what there is for him in a month's time. Hopefully, he's a horse to keep on the team for next year and he might even get a little further, the way he hit the line there. I wouldn't think he'll run in the St Leger."

The Balding-trained Coltrane won this in 2020 before going on to win four Group races.

King given international options

King Of Cities (Sean Levey, nearest) beats Boiling Point (centre) and Skukuza in the Strensall StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

King Of Cities prevailed in a photo-finish between the two Sheikh Mohammed Obaid runners in the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes to capture a first win at Group level.

The Dubawi colt hit the front with a furlong to go and kept on bravely to hold off Boiling Point, with Skukuza keeping on for third.

The three-year-old had not won since scoring in a Chester novice last August but had posted three top-three finishes at Listed and Group 3 level and was midfield in the French Derby.

Richard Hannon could send him on his travels, with the $1 million Bahrain International Trophy on November 14 a possibility.

The trainer said:  "It's a win and you're in for Bahrain and he's a horse that will travel. He's very much a horse who is all about next year, though. I'll talk to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid and see what he thinks, but he was adamant about stepping this horse up in trip and he was right.

"He's a good horse. He's nearly won a lot of nice races and just looked a bit flat-footed in the Sir Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmarket. I wish we made more use of him that day and at Goodwood, but he's a work in progress." 

Ticking along nicely

Michael Dods has put the Ayr Gold Cup firmly on his radar for Northern Ticker after the progressive three-year-old took the Constantine Handicap.

The 12-1 winner made his challenge towards the stands' side under Danny Tudhope and prevailed by a head from more experienced stablemate Commanche Falls.

Dods said: "He's always been a good horse. He ran a good race at Hamilton but he's so raw, he needs racing to teach him. Danny said he got there too soon today. 

"I've got to be a bit disappointed that he beat Commanche Falls, who's a yard favourite, but it's great to finish first and second. He's a very strong traveller and we've got to have the Ayr Gold Cup on the radar, that's probably going to be his next run."

Power to her

Tim Easterby is confident there is "definitely more to come" from Revival Power, who showed plenty of early pace and then resolve to win Listed Julia Graves Roses Stakes. The trainer indicated the winner could be aimed at the Cornwallis Stakes.

Landmark winner

The final race of the Ebor festival went to Dain Ma Nut In, a significant first winner for Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore under their new joint licence.

Read this next:

Never So Brave lands fitting success for great City of York Stakes supporter Andrew Balding 

'Once he let him go, it was game over' - electric Ethical Diamond lands Ebor for William Buick and Willie Mullins 

Whether you were a billionaire or broke, you were treated the same - this is what I made of my first trip to York 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.