Carlisle Races

The weather with lots of showers resulted in a disappointing turn out for the races yet, it was not a day for the favourites with only two winning. There was also a double for jockey Kevin Stott.

The 3:50 showed a horse to keep an eye on as it won with so much ease. Rock Hill was the leader, and Zizum was wide but close up next to Rickyroadboy although Final Go tracked leaders near the in touch Sir Derrick. The rest of the runners didn't have much in them, but two furlongs out Rickyroadboy and Wensley were ridden out. The lead at one furlong to go changed to Zizum briefly as Sir Derrick got hindered in his running. However Fard and Danehill Desert were making head way, Final Go was very keen and going to the final furlong managed to get the lead. This horse throughout the race was not under any pressure with jockey Sam James willing to just sit behind the leaders and went on to win without much trouble by 1 1/2 lengths to Danehill Desert who kept on with Fard in third by a short head.

The 4:55 had Motahassen leading the whole way, with Dwight D and Bahkit prominent and being tracked by Sioux Frontier and Mr Coco Bean. The whole field was close with not much between them. Yet Motahassen did not have his lead challenged but swapped to the standside rail with two furlongs to go, Dwight D, Mr Coco Bean and Snookered were being ridden strongly to keep in touch,  most of the field closing around the leading few. With one furlong to go Motahassen was now being ridden along and driven again, Dwight D was challenging and battling for the lead. Snookered and Mr Coco Bean were merely staying on and Bahkit and Sioux Frontier had no more to give. As the challenge from Dwight D became stronger, Motahassen just went clear and kept on well winning by 2 lengths to Dwight D, second by 3/4 of a length to third Snookered who finished 4 lengths clear of the rest of the field. This gave a well deserved winner to the trainer Declan Carroll who has been continuously knocking on the door with numerous seconds in the past couple of weeks.

Next blog update will be on Saturday's racing at Redcar.

Thirsk races

Family fun day at Thirsk races had plenty going on with a variety of activities for all ages including face painting, bouncy castle and pony rides but it was also a day for the favourites. With a double for trainer Keith Dalgleish. 

There was drama in the second race as the results were reversed after an stewards inquiry. Strip Search swiftly lead closely behind him was Farol, Frosted Lass and Fuente. Get The Rhythm was tracking the leaders and this was much the same for the first four furlongs until the lead was taken by Fuente. The race began to develop over the last couple of furlongs, at two furlongs out Frosted Lass, Musical Sky were pushed along as Farol lost its place. With one furlong to go Get The Rhythm took up to challenge for the lead with Fuente. Frosted Lass and George's Law were ridden along. In the last furlong all the attention was on Fuente and Get The Rhythm as Fuente drifted into Get The Rhythm, they bumped multiple times and they managed to get the best out of each other. Originally Fuente won by a nose until the stewards enquiry in which they announced that the positions would be reversed as Fuente disrupted the running of Get The Rhythm. Third was Frosted Lass 6 lengths behind who just struggled to keep up with the front pace. 

In the 4:35 Box and Cox was leading the race narrowly to Shawaamekh, followed by Juthoor and Star Shield. Out paced from early on was Fire To The Reign and Red Allure who missed the break slightly. Over two furlongs out Shawaamekh went to the front, with Seek The Moon and Red Allure already being pushed along. This was unchanged for the best part. With two furlongs to go when Juthooor began to give chase but Star Shield and Thunderbolt Rocks were both struggling for room to make progress. But at one furlong to go Juthoor was driven to lead and Shawaamekh was headed, when Star Shield was switched he had a better run but was only singled paced. Thunderbolt Rocks due to his difficult position only managed to get a run at the end, unfortunately there was no chance of him reaching the leaders. Juthoor kept on to beat Shawaamekh by 1 1/2 lengths and he had given his all. Third was Star Shield by 5 lengths.

Pontefract Races

Ladies Day at Pontefract Races had the course being packed with plenty of people many vying to be presented with either the best dressed man, lady or have the best hat. The threatening stormy weather had the happiness of the day hanging in the balance.

The second race saw Watchmyeverymove briefly lead before Ventura Ocean took it, being chased by Bugler Bob, Watchmyeverymove and Coolagh Magic. This was much the same for the whole race. Up to two furlongs out Aghast, Coolagh Magic and Swiss Connection were ridden along struggling with the pace. With one furlong to go Ventura Ocean was driven well clear despite it being obvious from three furlong out that it would go onto win with a slight challenge at one furlong out from Bugler Bob. Rail side racing saw Watchmyeverymove outpaced. It appeared that much of the field soon weakened, compared to the strong going Ventura Ocean that went on to win by 1 1/2 lengths to second Bugler Bob by four lengths to third Watchmyeverymove.

In the 3:50 it was an outsider that came in to win which shocked plenty on course. Grandee was leading narrowly to Mukhayyam who was tracking alongside Tor. The two at the back were Reverend Jacobs, the favourite, and Bolder Bob. There was progress made by Bolder Bob at five furlongs to go whereas Star Of The East made it look difficult work. At two to go Bolder Bob began to chase Mukhayyam and Tor and Reverend Jacobs were being ridden harshly to try keep up. Bolder Bob quickly began to challenge Mukhayyam and Tor, causing close competition between them. The lead within the final 50 yards changed multiple times between the three horses making it difficult to call, resulting in  a photo finish. First was Bolder Bob by a nose to second Mukhayyam, third Tor by a head. After fourth place the distance between the horses increased greatly.  Bolder Bob was a huge outsider at 16/1.

Catterick races

The glorious weather and family fun day resulted in the day being a scorcher with plenty of fun for the whole family and some good racing. The day also involved doubles for the trainers Mark Johnson and Tim Easterby.

In the second race On The High Tops was in the lead, closely followed by  Glyder, Compton River and Cuppacoco. This was much the same until one furlong out when Kinloch Pride and Imperial Legend made headway but little progress was made by Compton River, Trulove and Glyder started to struggle. In the final furlong Kinloch Pride made his way to the front and was not going to be stopped by the distance closing Imperial Legend and the one paced Compton River or Trulove. First was Kinloch Pride by 1 1/4 lengths, second Imperial Legend by a head to third Compton River. This was hopefully the end to Kinloch Pride's jockeys Phil Dennis' cold patch as he has had over 20 rides without a win.

The 3:10 Stormin Tom was in the front from the beginning, tracked by Be Perfect and Casima. The back marker by a long way was Ingleby Hollow, this was due to Stormin Tom stretching the field. With two furlongs to go Sea Youmzain, Ingleby Hollow and Panko were all pushed along, but with one furlong to go Panko gave chase and Ingleby Hollow was moving forward in the field too. The lead switched to Sea Youmzain from Stormin Tom. From there on Sea Youmzain stayed on well much like Ingleby Hollow, Stormin Tom, then there was the one paced and weakening Panko, Casima and Be Perfect. Sea Youmzain went clear and won by 3/4 of a length, second was Stormin Tom by 1/2 length to third Ingleby Hollow.

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.

Thirsk and York races

The unpredictable weather meant that there were some surprising outcomes at both York and Thirsk races with some big prices coming in at Thirsk including a 33/1 and 22/1 winner. Both were very fun days for the Go Racing In Yorkshire Festival. Unfortunately Tom Jones was cancelled due to thunder storms not allowing his helicopter to fly, resulting in some very sad members of the crowd.

Thirsk Races

The first race on the card saw the runners split into 2 groups, three horses Raypeteafterme, Dream Of Honour and Baldwin went up the stands side rail and Raypeteafterme led. While the centre had Sosume leading followed by The Defiant and Four Wheel Drive. This changed very little and it looked at three furlongs out as though Raypeteafterme was only keeping on, as Baldwin, Dream Of Honour and Frosted Lass were all making headway. At two furlongs to go Raypeteafterme picked up the pace. Baldwin, Four Wheel Drive and Sosume were then tracking the leader. Many only kept on in the final furlong such as Sosume, Four Wheel Drive, Baldwin and Frosted Lass. Plenty of the field were never involved in the running, Raypeteafterme was quickly driven home to win for trainer Declan Carroll by ¾ of a length, second was Dream Of Honour by a head to third Baldwin. The rest of the field were further behind.  It’s no surprise that Raypeteafterme ran so well after the prior run at Beverley where the saddle slipped potentially effecting its running and nearly unseating Hayley Turner.

The 3:45 had Kyroc in the lead, with the chasers behind being No Lippy, Big Ace and So Hi Storm. Princess Power was slow away and was out back. With two furlongs to go Kyroc, No Lippy and Big Ace were ridden along. At one furlong to go Princess Power began to move up the field but No Lippy, Kyroc and Big Ace kept on at the same pace and some were struggling, So Hi Storm hung left but managed to keep on gamely. First place went easily to Princess Power by 2 lengths, second Kyroc by 1/2 length and third was So Hi Storm by 1 3/4 lengths. 

York Races 

In the 7:30 Snowy Winter was the pace setter leading narrowly to trackers Stage Name, Desert Diamond and Rasima. Singyoursong and Pleasant Surprise were held up at the back. At three furlongs out positions began to change; Desert Diamond and Stage Name began moving further up the field. At two furlongs out Desert Diamond was in touch and joined Snowy White although Stage Name and Singyoursong were going well there was little catching Diamond Desert one furlong out who eventually went well clear of the field who were single paced or keeping. First was Desert Diamond by 6 lengths to Snowy Winter in second and Stage Name in third by 3/4 of a length. In the closing stages of the race there really was no challenge to Desert Diamond. 

We saw a rising new talent in the 8:00 race in the form of seven pound claimer Oakley Brown as he went on to win the race on Third Time Lucky. Lamloom led the race, shadowed by Kings Gift, Bertog and Kaeso.  Presidential, Bravery and Third Time Lucky were in the rear. Kings Gift alongside Withernsea and Bertog made headway at three furlongs out. At two left Third Time Lucky had movement up the field, but so had many of others in the field. In the final furlong Third Time Lucky kept on well just heading Lamloom and Kings Gift, Bertog and Kaeso struggled under the pressure. In the end Third Time Lucky was unstoppable and went ahead to win by 2 1/4 lengths, second was Lamloom by 1 1/1 length and third was Kings Gift by a head. This was another well timed ride by Oakley Brown after being involved in  four professional races since getting his license. He has been placed in every race since converting from an amateur rider. 

Next update will be from Pontefract tomorrow. Let's hope it stays dry without anymore thunder storms. 

Newcastle races

Despite the showers throughout the day and the free admissions the racecourse was reasonably quiet with some very easy wins.

The third race saw a great yet confident ride by Ben Robinson on Burn Some Dust. Soon out the gates Barney George led the race however Bill Cody was close behind and the competition was narrow between them for the lead. Mulsanne Chase sat tidy on the rail tracking the leader alongside Coral Queen. This was a narrow lead and positions were close early on but at four furlongs out Bill Cody took charge, Coral Queen took second position and Barney George was losing power after going to the front. At three furlongs out Burn Some Dust who had been held up suddenly began to move up the field. Highwayman had the same intention although he did not have enough stamina. With two to go Burn Some Dust made headway and was among Bill Cody who was being headed by Coral Queen who at this stage was leading, Sevilla was gripped on to third place at this stage. But in the last furlong Burn Some Dust was charging to the front, Bill Cody was gaining speed too but Coral Queen had no more to give and Sevilla and Highwayman made it look like hard work to keep on at the same pace. The winner Burn Some Dust timed it perfectly to come through the horses winning by 1 length, second was the favourite Bill Cody by 1 length to third Coral Queen. The rest of the field were far back (a minimum of 12 lengths).

In the 4:20 Pitch High led the race with plenty of horses chasing including Great Colaci, Ingleby Molly and Ayton, Supreme Power was also prominent. Around half way the front position changed to Great Colaci, and stayed the same until about two furlongs out when Supreme Power was ridden out and Someone Exciting, Great Colaci and Mount Cheiron were now being pushed. Pitch High lost his place as he weakened. At one furlong to go Supreme Power was stretching Great Colaci and Someone Exciting, Mount Cheiron were going well. Despite this Ingleby Molly and Ayton weakened and kept on at one pace. The winner was Supreme Power who had to be given reminders by Ben Curtis by 1/2 length to second Great Colaci and it was 2 lengths to third place Someone Exciting.

Hopefully there will be further updates on the Go Racing In Yorkshire week on Friday from Thirsk and an interview with Rachel Richardson is now available to read.