William Of York

Carlisle is where William Of York truly comes alive. He has won 2 of his 4 races there, which is a remarkable hit rate — half of his visits have ended in victory, at a track many horses find tricky. That Carlisle win in April 2024 came in the Monet's Garden Go North Final, and trainer Rebecca Menzies described him around that time as a horse who had grown physically stronger and was still on an upward curve. His jumping, she noted, is a genuine weapon — bold, quick, and clean. That combination is harder to find than you'd think, and it's what gets a horse considered for big occasions. Sure enough, he was entered for the Grand Sefton at Aintree, one of jumping's more demanding tests.

Menzies trains out of Morden in Durham and has sent out 36 winners this season alone — a yard in good form. Ross Chapman rides William Of York most often, partnering him in 9 of his 23 races for 2 wins together, maintaining that same 1-in-5 ratio. It's a consistent partnership built on familiarity, which counts for a lot with a horse you're still trying to unlock. Owner Mike Newbould was candid after the Carlisle win: he's not the stable star, but he's improving, and the best may still be ahead.

That said, William Of York has not won in his last 6 races, and his most recent runs — a sixth-place finish either side of a string of incomplete outings — suggest a horse that has gone quiet for now. He raced just yesterday, so the campaign continues. At 10, he is not young, but horses of his type can defy age when conditions and a favourite track align. If Carlisle comes around again, do not be too quick to look elsewhere.