Pontefract Races

The final day of the Go Racing in Yorkshire Festival started off with very rainy weather but towards the end of the day it was getting warmer and there was a hint of sunshine. Also there was a fair few lengths between the places, with not many photo finishes required.

The first race had the favourite Flawless Jewel and Murqaab both battling for the lead as Murqaab went wide but Justice Shallow was closely following, Pinkie Pie was never in contention throughout the race being in the rear without any impact on the running. The lead clearly changed to Flawless Jewel at three furlong out, Murqaab was headed and Justice Swallow plugged along. At one furlong out Flawless Jewel was going well clear, attempting to be chased by Justice Shallow although by this point Murqaab had no more to give. Pinkie Pie was still no where near the rest of the field. The winner was Flawless Jewel by 16 LENGTHS, second was Justice Swallow an 100/1 outsider by 9 lengths, third was Murqaab by 6 lengths to Pinkie Pie.

In the 3:35 Secret Art was soon to lead however this altered after one furlong when Salateen took on the role of pace maker, being tracked by Big Country, Gabr and Ventura Knight. At four furlongs out Gabr had to be switched wide after Big Country had already done so earlier in the race. With three furlongs to go Another Touch and Secret Art had to be shaken up and were making it look like difficult work. Headway was made by Big Country to join Salateen with two furlongs to go, Ventura Knight had to be ridden along but Gabr was close up. At one furlong to go Big Country was ridden strongly to lead taking over from Salateen but for many in the field it was becoming difficult. Ventura Knight, Gabr and Another Touch just managing to keep on at the same pace. In the end Big Country went on to win maintaining his lead without much trouble by 1/2 a length to Salateen to third Ventura Knight by 4 lengths.

At the end of the Festival Danny Tudhope was leading jockey and Richard Fahey was leading Trainer. It was easy to see how on form Danny was with him attempting to win Champion Jockey this year. He picked the stand side rail to run along and by the end of the racing most other jockeys were using the same line. He only had one winner at Pontefract. Whereas Silvestre De Sousa who is currently in front of Danny in the title race had 4 winners at the meeting.