A review of Wednesday's racing from Pontefract where Richard Fahey won with Exceptional and Megan Nicholls rode a double.
Exceptional result for Fahey
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Exceptional could yet live up to her name after a scintillating return to action in the Stay Smart With tiesplanet.com Handicap.
A debut winner at Carlisle last May, she had not been seen since finishing down the field in the Albany Stakes almost a year ago at Royal Ascot.
As a sister to Ayr Gold Cup winner Don't Touch, she will no doubt be quite a valuable broodmare proposition once her racing days are over, but that is not likely to be for a while yet given the way she pulled five and a half lengths clear of the field.
Just like Don't Touch, she is trained by Richard Fahey and was ridden by Barry McHugh.
"It's great to get a winner, the horses are needing the run a touch, but Exceptional probably just had too much in hand for them," said Fahey.
"She had a slight setback after Ascot last year, nothing serious, and fair dos to Cheveley Park, they were very patient with her and I'm delighted they sent her back because she's a full-sister to Don't Touch. Hopefully she'll repay them now and stay right.
"I'll speak to Chris Richardson (racing manager), but you'd maybe like to get her in before they reassess her and then sit down and make a plan."
Glan Y Gors (28-1) brought up a hat-trick in the Racing TV On Channel 426 Handicap for trainer David Thompson having won twice on the all-weather before coronavirus took a grip.
Ponte double for Nicholls
Megan Nicholls was seen to great effect when riding a double on Oleg and Christopher Wood at Pontefract.
Both horses are trained by her father, 11-times champion National Hunt trainer Paul, but the younger Nicholls is well on the way to making her own way in the game.
Now based in the north with boyfriend and fellow jockey Kevin Stott, she is well on the way to losing her 3lb claim.
Oleg may already be with his third trainer, but Nicholls has a soft spot for him after maintaining her 100 per cent record on the grey in the Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap at Pontefract.
Having begun life in Germany, he had two runs for David Cottin in France before being bought by Middleham Park Racing and sent to Paul Nicholls.
Oleg (7-2) was winner at Southwell just before the shutdown, he got up close home to beat Anyonecanhaveitall by just a neck suggesting there may even be a bit more in the locker.
"I was confident enough, but it was just whether I got the gap in time and luckily enough it opened up in front of me," said Nicholls.
"He stayed on well, I think he's a horse with more to come. He's been around but since he came to us he's thrived, he loves his work and takes his runs really well.
"We'll have a few options in the summer with him, but we'll see him back jumping again."
Christopher Wood (7-2) has always had plenty of talent and was last seen in action at the Cheltenham Festival.
In similar style to Oleg, he denied Monsieur Lambrays by half a length to provide the trainer with a rare Flat double.
"It's good to have a couple of winners for dad, hopefully we'll have a few more," said Nicholls.
"Obviously the aim this year is to lose the claim, I've 14 to go now so we're getting there.
"He got bumped around turning in which he didn't enjoy, but once I pulled him out he took off and ran on well. He's got lots of ability and that will do him the world of good."
Ascot beckons for Crispina
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Roger Fell has hit the crossbar a few times since winning the first race since racing’s resumption with Zodiakos, but he was celebrating again as Crispina bolted up in division one of the RIU Hotels And Resorts Worldwide Maiden Stakes.
Sold for 22,000 guineas out of Ralph Beckett’s yard after just one run, syndicate manager Nick Bradley now looks to have made a shrewd purchase.
Having taken a lead from Silk Lace, Curtis asked his mount a question and the race was soon over, the 11-4 favourite pulling six and a half lengths clear.
Fell said: “I was out for a walk and watched it on my phone. It was interesting. Nick Bradley is the genius. He touted her about to a few trainers and I said I’d have her and luckily he sent her to me. We’re thinking of the Commonwealth Cup now. Why not? It’s a strange year.”
Welcome win for Ryan
Kevin Ryan has had several horses run well since the resumption but only one had managed to get its head in front so he will be hoping the victory of Magical Moment in the second division signals a change in fortune.
All eyes were on Mark Johnston’s Motion, a daughter of Attraction, but she looked very green throughout and finished well beaten.
Magical Moment (11-2) took a lead off Joshua R before quickening three-quarters of a length clear under Kevin Stott.
“I got a lovely tow into it and she handled the track better than I thought she would,” said Stott. "She galloped all the way to the line and did it well. The bit of experience last year clearly helped.”
Burke run continues
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Karl Burke’s good start to the season with his juveniles continued apace at Pontefract when Inhaler just held on in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes.
The Leyburn handler hopes to head to Royal Ascot with Newcastle winner Dandalla, as well as Significantly who was narrowly beaten on his debut at Gosforth Park.
With the big meeting getting ever closer, it may be asking a bit much for any youngster to back up so quickly, but Inhaler (100-30 favourite) showed a good attitude.
Ben Curtis bounced his mount out and having taken a lead from All About Charley until outside the final furlong, he hit the front and held on gamely from Dandy’s Max by a neck.
Burke’s assistant Joe O’Gorman said: “He made good use of the draw, had a good position all the way round and when they came at him he kept battling all the way to the line.
“He’ll definitely improve from that run so we’re very pleased, it’s a good starting point. We seem to have a good bunch of two-year-olds this year.”
Boost for Dandalla
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Dandalla’s form was given a boost in the following Pontefract Thanks The NHS Maiden Auction Fillies’ Stakes when Bonne Vitesse, seventh in the Newcastle race, wore down long-time leader Susucaru.
The two had it between them from some way out but Brian Ellison’s filly showed the benefit of a run by knuckling down close home to win by a length and a half.
Having made ground into seventh at Newcastle, she was perhaps a surprisingly juicy 6-1 against a field of newcomers.
Ben Robinson was on board and said: “She’s very straightforward at home. She’s only small, but she has a great attitude and I think that’s what pulled her through today.
“Her home work has been great, Brian hasn’t done a lot with her since Newcastle but that suited her because she’s a light filly. I think she won cosy in the end.”
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