Pontefract Races

Anticipated start - soon prominent on outer - led and ridden over 1f out - reduced lead inside final 110yds - kept on (mare anticipated the start and accelerated the gate at the same moment as race had been started which actually resulted in mare being slowly into stride)(op 11/1)

Prominent - bit short of room over 1f out - shaken up and pressed winner inside final 110yds - kept on (inquiry into running and riding; vet examined gelding post-race and had nothing to report; jockey said he had ridden gelding on his previous two runs - so had no specific instructions from trainer but rather the plan was just to ride him as you find him; he said gelding is notoriously difficult to win with and also well renowned for not doing a lot when in front so his intention was to take his time and produce his challenge late; jockey added that he positioned himself between winner and Brazen Rascal off home bend but was not looking to commit with his finishing effort this early in home straight; he further added that approaching final furlong - gelding lugged left-handed in his direction narrowing that gap and he therefore elected to switch right-handed across heels in order to obtain clear running; from this point he rode gelding out hands and heels and did not resort to using the whip - in an endeavour to hopefully coax the best out of gelding - which is on a long losing run; trainer's rep confirmed that gelding is a really tricky ride but expressed satisfaction with manner in which gelding was handled on this occasion; their explanations were noted)(op 8/1 tchd 15/2 and tchd 11/1)

In rear - headway over 1f out - pressed leaders towards finish - kept on