Ripon Races- Family Day

The family fun day had plenty of activities for children ranging from face painting and balloon animals to having a go on the Equisizer. The mild weather caused it to be a great day and one for the favourites with four out of seven races won by favourites. There were doubles on the card for PJ McDonald and Silvestre de Sousa.

The first race had two horses fighting for the lead. Hippeia and Alaskan Beauty with Perfect Thought
were prominent, Elation and Clubbable were held up. Halfway through the race headway was made by Elation, with two furlongs to go Hippeia was headed by the improving Clubbable and then lead Perfect Thought, but with one to go Elation ran on well. Perfect Thought only kept on as did Clubbable. Elation was the winner under Silvestre De Sousa by 1/2 length to Perfect Thought in second and third Clubbable by one length.

There was a selling stakes at 2:45, yet the winner was not bought in the auction and no other horses were claimed.

In the 3:45 race Captain Dion was fast away to take the lead followed by Sir Billy Wright and Jaywalker but was tracked by the 11/4 favourite Bossipop (after recent good form and win just a week ago at Pontefract).  At two furlongs out the lead began to change from Captain Dion who was  headed by Jaywalker whilst Red Pike and Sir Billy Wright were both pushed along. Avon Breeze who was slow out of the gates and throughout the race having been wide or out back at two furlongs  began to move up the field. With one furlong to go she closed on the leaders, but now Bossipop was being pushed along and at one point looked likely to win as he made headway of the rest of the field. However Avon Breeze (the in-foal mare) made astonishing progress in the last 50 yards and went on to win by 1 length to Bossipop who was just unlucky on the day, third was Jaywalker by a nose who just lost second place.
Before the race Signore Piccolo ran freely down to the start trying its hardest to have Paul Mulrennan off, which in the end he did making him a non runner. Snap Shots refused to race after planting himself in the stalls.

Look out for my update on Ladies' Day at Ponte races.

Beverley Races- family fun day

The going being good to soft resulted in a fair few non runners (8 to be exact). The Bark de Triomphe, a race for dogs owned by jockeys with two heats the first 3 dogs from each went to the final was a great success. Danielle Mooney's dog, Beau, was the winner.

In the second race Bridey's Lettuce was ridden clear followed closely by Cool Music, Moon Over Rio and Heaven Scent. The whole race was controlled by Bridey's Lettuce no others managed to get close. With two furlongs to go headway was made by Petrify who had previously dwelt, Cool Music,  and Taste The Wine. Moon Over Rio and Heaven Scent both weakened. In the final furlong Bridey's Lettuce drifted left whilst Cool Music kept on at the same pace and Petrify carried on well, Bridey's Lettuce was unstoppable going on to win by six lengths, second was Cool Music by 1/2 length, third was Petrify. This race was a selling handicap and the winner was auctioned off, bought by Adam Pogson for £7.5K.

The 3:45 race had Windforpower misbehaving in the parade ring having Ben Robinson off and running free down to the start before he was caught and put in the stalls. Tarboosh was quick away along with Robben Rainbow, tracked by the leader Foxy Boy. With two furlongs out Foxy Boy and Kody Ridge was ridden along, Musharrif moved up the field. There was challenge at one furlong out to Foxy Boy who was eventually headed by Windforpower and Tarboosh. Unfortunately Windforpower kept on at the same pace with nothing else to give but Tarboosh just quickened away eventually winning by 3 1/3 lengths, second Windforpower by 3/4 to Foxy Boy for third.

Thanks to Ben Curtis for selfie.