Pontefract races

Like the all of the festival the weather was variable and after dodging the showers it was a warm day, but not one for the favourites. There was a treble on the card for David Allan which made him the winning jockey for the entire festival, the winning trainer was Tim Easterby.

The 2:30 race in which Mysterial from a wide draw took a keen hold of the race, far behind tracking was Regal Mirage, Liquid Gold and Steccando. The lead didn't change until the final bend when Mysterial was over taken. The rest of the field began to close down the leader from four furlongs out including Thorntoun Care, Regal Mirage, Diamond Runner and Jan De Heem. The leader  was chased down by Regal Mirage with 1 1/2  furlongs to go with Thorntoun Care following closely to challenge the new leader, yet failing to beat him. First was Regal Mirage by a nose, second was Thorntoun Care, third was Diamond Runner by 6 lengths. 

In the 5:00 race there was an incredible ride by David Allan on Crosse Fire, who despite at one point looking like he was going to fall back eventually being ridden well clear approaching the final furlong, going on to win by 2 3/4 lengths. Astrophysics despite not having much room once switched ran on strongly with Oriental Splendour ridden to give chase who in the final stages didn't have anything else. Astrophysics also didn't make a much of an impression on the leader and finished second, Oriental Slendour finished third by 3/4 length. The rest of the field was spread out, many were quickly pulled up after the finishing line. 

Interview with Jason Hart

Jason Hart was apprentice jockey of the year in 2013, he now has moved on from this success to have a derby day Epsom winner on the third of June this year for John Quinn riding Reputation. He described this as a good day and a great achievement after a difficult recovery from an injury in 2015.

Jason started his career when he was about 13 riding out for people near Harwick where he was brought up. This then progressed to pony racing before he became an apprentice for Declan Carroll. His first ride was on a horse called Elusive Fame for Mark Johnston in 2010.

His injury in 2015 meant he missed most of the season, Jason was fortunate to escape the accident with ruptured ACL and MCL ligaments. The injury could have been far worse considering the severity of the incident. When asked about the difficulties of returning to racing Jason decided to see his injury in a better light, and added that since his return he has been able to ride for new yards that he didn't ride for before with some very nice horses providing him with new opportunities.

With the future looking bright for Jason he hopes to carry on building on his success.

On a lighter note when he's not making the weight his favourite meal is fillet steak.

Doncaster races

Frequent heavy showers and very few favourites made the wining enclosure, it was a day of difficult racing, although it included a double on the day for Tony Hamilton on his birthday.

The 5:45 saw Sherrif Of Nawton being extremely problamatic, and he even had Tony Hamilton off when he slipped when leaving the parade ring causing him to be run free briefly before being caught. Sharply out of the gates was Bluff Crag who was the front runner in the race, closely followed by The New Pharoh and Predergast Hill, until three furlongs out when previously held up Buonarroti and The New Pharoh both made headway, the new leader was Predergast Hill. At two furlongs out The New Pharoh began to challenge and quickly joined Predergast Hill, Sheriff Of Nawton followed the leaders along with Buonarroti. One furlong out The New Pharoh headed Predergast Hill, Sheriff Of Nawton with not much room managed to finish third and Buonarroti who had nothing else to give kept on at the same pace to finish fourth. The winner was The New Pharoh (the favourite) by 1/2 length, second was Predergast Hill by 1/2 length to third Sheriff Of Nawton.

The second race had Wafeer in the lead after one furlong, this stayed the same until two furlongs out when Dark Acclaim closed the gap, Qaroun was making a huge effort to continue moving up the field, Alfa McGuire was driven along.One furlong out it was clear that Dark Acclaim was unstoppable as he kept gaining ground going on to win by 3 1/4 lengths, the second horse Qaroun gamely stayed on and third was Alfa McGuire.

One to watch for the future is Sunday Prospect as the horse came second in the 6:45 despite continuously being boxed and switched a numerous amount of times.

Catterick Races

The ever changing weather did nothing to stop the favorites and front runners from winning. Due to the ground every race time was slow.

The beginning of the first race saw Miss Mazzie unhappy in the stalls along with Heavenly Pulse who was difficult to get into stall six. One Drunken Night was quickly away and led, just behind was Miss Mazzie and Mr Carbonator. At the half way mark Shovel It On was pushed on, round the final bend he was the first horse to come wide. Society's Dream was pulled up a great distance behind and eventually dismounted by Joe Fanning. One furlong out saw Mr Carbonator and Shovel It On who had also been held up headed by Placebo Effect. At the finishing post it was Placebo Effect who kept on by 1 1/4 lengths to win, second was Mr Carbonator and third by a neck Shovel It On. As this was a selling stake Mr Carbonator was claimed by Phil Kirby for £7,000, Shovel It On was subject to a friendly claim for £7,000 and Placebo Effect was bought back for £6,500.

3:30 was a claiming stakes race that had Bernie's Boy first by 3/4 length, second Dyllan who refused at first to go into the stalls despite James Sullivan's best efforts, Dyllan was dismounted and remounted, under duress went into the stalls and third was favorite Ancient Astronaut by 1 1/4 lengths. However only the winner was claimed by Iain Jardine for £10,000.

The final race had King Of The Celts leading and running wide of the rest of the field narrowly followed by Cockney Boy who was in charge of the race at eight furlongs out yet they all bunched up but coming off the final bend they were spread across the track from the inside rail. At 2 furlongs the positions were changed. Canny Style now controlled  the race, head way was made by Angel In The Snow, Competition and King Of The Celts were soon outpaced. With one furlong to go Canny Style was shaken up to kick on again and battle it out with Angel In The Snow. The pair were chased home by Almutamarred most of the field struggled in the final furlong so much so that they did not make any impact. This winner was Canny Style by a neck to Angel In The Snow and third by 1/2 length was Almutamarred.

Keep a look out for my new interviews with jockeys, find out what inspires them and the background to their success.

Beverley races- Carnival Night

Fabulous evening of incredible racing, gorgeous glitter face painting, samba dancing girls and music that all created an amazing atmosphere. It was just a shame the weather was the complete opposite of last years heatwave.

The second race was in the hands of the favourite, Special Purpose, having always been close to the leader Me Before You with the lead only marginal. In the closing stages of the race Special Purpose only got stronger and went on to win by 3 1/4 lengths to Gold Stone who was ridden to chase in the final furlong and third was Me Before You by 2 1/4 lengths.

The 6:55 was the Jaimie Kerr memorial race, and overall it was very scrappy race due to the large field. Crosse Fire and Flash City were both quickly away and  One Boy was in touch with rapidly varying leaders with 3 furlongs to go with Musharrif, Astrophics making up starting ground. With one furlong to go Jack Luey (the ten year old) had no more to give, Astrophysics was ridden to challenge Musharrif but he was already to far ahead to be stopped, and One Boy stayed on at the same pace, Jack Luey didn't get a clear run and kept on for fourth. Musharrif trained by Declan Carroll won, second by 2 1/4 lengths was Astrophics and third was One Boy. Musharrif was ridden very well by Phil Dennis, who only has 2 more wins until he loses his 5 pound claim.

The penultimate race was a open race, Relight My Fire took keen hold of the race and soon went clear, at half way it appeared that nothing was going to get near the seven year old ridden by David Allan. Three furlongs out Monsieur Jimmy, So It's War both made head way moving up the field. With two to go Ingleby Spring and Arcane Dancer made headway. In the final furlong Monsieur Jimmy along with Arcane Dancer were both ridden greatly by Ger O'Neill and Danny Tudhope both battling it out upto the line. The dream of the double for Declan Carroll who trained Monsieur Jimmy was ended by Arcane Dancer by only a head. Relight My Fire was third after weakening by going very fast in the beginning stages of the race.

In the final race the results were reversed after a stewards inquiry as Druid's Diamond had hampered the run of Bollin Ted and John Caesar, the results were ammeded to first Bollin Ted, second Druid's Diamond and third John Caesar.

Redcar races

The whole day had unpredictable weather, many non runners and only 4 favourites winning.

The first race had the favourite Arbalet showing off in the parade ring when Josphine Gordon tried to mount, she made a hasty dismount off the two year old Colt, eventually having to be mounted in the shoot with the horse still unhappy. Many were quick out of the stalls,  Barbarianatthegate led shortly to Falmouth Light and David Fallow, Arbalet and the rest of the field followed closely. With two furlongs to go Knowing Glance who had been held up was being pushed, Arbalet begun to challenge Barbarianatthegate, who couldn't compete. Arbalet went on to win by 3 1/2 lengths to Barbarianatthegate ridden by Oisin Murphy, third was Knowing Glance by 2 1/4 lengths.

In the 3:30 Baby Helmet led with the rest of the field giving chase, apart from Hitchcock who was slowly away and Darvie who was being held up. Notmuch was changed until the 5 furlong mark where Baby Helmet weakened and Clear As A Bell led pretty much unchallenged up to 2 furlongs out when the rest of the field started to be truly ridden. In the final furlong Clear As A Bell kept on with fierce competition from the drifting Darvie and Regal Decree, the rest of the field were a fair way behind. But David Allan managed to keep Clear As A Bell on to win by a neck to Darvie in second and Regal Decree in third, by a head.

No horses were claimed in the 4:00 race.

Nottingham races

With a busy racecard and many outsiders the day was a difficult one to predict, having only one favorite winner on the day. The ground meant there were many non runners.

The second race saw Milton Road building on previous success after recent good form at Leicester and Goodwood. Owen The Law took charge of the race, closely followed by Gangland and Porchy Party until three furlongs out when Rock On Bertie who had always been in touch led. In the second to last furlong Milton Road who had been held up made headway and soon challenged Rock On Bertie and went on in the final furlong to keep on to win by a neck to Rock on Bertie. Shania Says who managed a good run without much room came third 1 1/2 lengths behind.

The 3:05 saw Allux Boy lead the race being tracked by Cool Echo and Zumran, who even though he missed the break slightly managed to catch up and win handsomely. With one furlong to go Zumran who had swiftly entered the race after being switched soon took over the lead. Fantasy keeper and Stringybark Creek were both driven in the final furlong however the were no competition for Zumran won went on to win by 3 lengths, second was Fantasy Keeper the favourite and third Stringybark Creek.

Yesterday we sadly lost stall handler Stephen Yarborough after he was seriously injured by the stalls at Haydock, everyone's thoughts are with his family and friends with many jockeys including Paul Hannagan and Jim Crowley paying tribute to this amazing stall handler.

However today is the start of racing in Yorkshire festival with many amazing cards at all of Yorkshires fantastic racecourses, keep up with the racing with this blog for frequent updates and check my twitter feed.

Leicester Races- Ladies Day

Ladies' Day had amazing weather and fab racing however the whole day had appalling organisation. Within the racing there were many easy wins especially for Cheerfilly who won the 4:15 by three lengths. It was also an incredible day for John Egan who rode three winners.

The 3:40 saw a very close race, Uptown Funk was slowly into stride but Bolder Bob and Amadeus Rox were prominent, Zamadance lead. Many horses made headway over two furlongs out, including Uptown Funk and Bolder Bob. At one furlong out even greater changes were made in the field,  Prosecution who had always been in touch began to lead putting Uptown Funk under pressure with Amelia Dream who even though she didn't have a clear run managed to take on and go on to beat the rest of the field by 3/4 of a length. Second was Uptown Funk and third was Prosecution.

The last race, which was the second division of the H.A.C Group Of Companies Handicap that was won FOUR seconds faster than the first division. Roger Thorpe ridden by Paddy Riley was quickly away and soon led for most of the race. The varying positions behind him not having much effect on him until three furlongs out. This when Valley of Rocks began to be pushed forward along with Shearian.  Briefly at two furlongs Rock On Dandy was in the lead, the constant changing positions within the closing stages show the competitive level of the race. But in the end it was a battle between Declan Carrol trained Shearian and Mark Johnston trained Valley Of Rocks both vying for the lead. In the end Valley Of Rocks had a little more to give then Shearian beating him by 1 1/2 lengths. The third horse was Imperial Link and the rest of the field followed closely behind.

Although the day had a horrendous start with heinous traffic and poor organisation, it could not put a dampener on the tremendous racing, luxurious ladies day was completed live music and a fireworks display.