16:53 That’s it from Pontefract both for today and for the 2008 season as racegoers depart in near darkness.

Our next coverage, weather permitting, comes from Thurles on Thursday.

From Pontefract a very good evening.

16:48 A tricky mile and a quarter handicap to end the season here at Pontefract and a race run in the gathering gloom.

Rahere was the fox for the field to chase and the Mark Johnston colt hele that position until three from home when he was joined, then passed by Dream Of Olwyn under Hayley Turner.

Dream Of Olwyn was soon joined by Night Orbit and these two were the first to battle out a finish, although Night Orbit soon started to fade.

The challenge then came from King Fingal, who had tracked the leaders throughout, who ran on well to head Dream Of Olwyn in the final half furlong to record a 1¼ length victory.

The winner was a fitting victor for trainer John Quinn, who ended up the seasons leading trainer at the course.  

Ahlawy ran on to take third, with another running on challenger Force Group back in fourth.

16:22 Forgot to mention it is now raining here at Pontefract and it is very dull - did someone turn the clocks back a week early?

16:17 A marathon event for our penultimate race with the final of the Pontefract stayers series, over 2¼ miles.

The veteran, course specialist, Thewhirlingdervish was sent off the 4/1 favourite but today the youngsters got the better of him.

At the Money led for the majority of the race, before ceding the lead to Rare Ruby three out.

Not surprisingly there were several running on as the field came down the home straight and in the end we had a good duel to the line between Mr Crystal and Miss Serena. The former had been held up near the rear for the majority of the race and the latter in a position tracking the leaders.  

Miss Serena had first run against the rail but Mr Crystal was soon alongside and as they approached the line it was a bob finish with Mr Crystal probably getting his head in front for the first time as they crossed the line.

The pair finished eight lengths ahead of the third placed Unawatuna.

15:49  Jim Crowley’s afternoon is not going well as he picks up another one day ban, this time for failing to ride to his draw.

15:44 Back to a mile for the feature race and only four runners and a very short priced favourite in the shape of Michael Jarvis’s Playfellow.

The four set off at a slow pace with what pace there was being set by Alan Munro on Mishrif, tracked by Laahig and Danidh Dubai, with the favourite happy to watch from behind.

There was no change until they turned for home.  Danidh Dubai joined the leader with Playfellow, under Phillip Robinson coming wide.

15:22 Some news from the Stewards room concerning our first race, Jim Crowley picked up a one day ban for careless riding.

15:19 Down to the minimum distance for the third race and an interesting conundrum.

What happens if all the runners in the race need to go to post early, I ask because no fewer than five of the runners went to post early.

I also pose the question does going to the start early give an unfair advantage. I ask because three of the first four were early to post.

A couple of front runners here in the shape of Mr Wolf (early to post)  and Kay Two (early to post), with Foxy Music (early to post) and Divine Spirit.

Mr Wolf tried to make all and Kay Two looked to be under pressure two out but ran on for pressure to lead inside the final furlong.

Dig Deep did just that in an attempt to overhaul the leader but he failed by half a length.
Mr Wolf held on for third with Foxy Music taking fourth.

14:48 Another two-year-old event for our second race, this time a six furlong maiden.

As in the first there was a front running effort, this time from Brian Smart’s Zegna, ridden by Jim Crowley.

Taking the lead after a furlong or so by the time the field entered the home straight he had a healthy lead, all the more impressive as he had the outside draw.

By contrast Henry Candy’s Speedy Guru needed a gap to appear and when it did Frankie McDonald needed no second asking and he set off after the leader.

McDonald must have thought Christmas had come early as not only was he closing fast on the leader but the leader drifted off the far rail leaving a space Speedy Guru to live up to her name.

The only other eye catcher was the third placed Hameildaeme who ran on well from the pack.

The first three all look to be decent prospects next year and they should pick up some small races.

14:18 Well if the other five races are as good as the opener then spectators here at Ponty are in for a treat.

A mile nursery to get us under way with a photograph required to decide all the paces.

In the end it turned out to be a stalls to post, front running performance from Fastnet Storm, trained by Tom Tate and ridden by Micky Fenton. However that doesn’t tell the full story as Dubai Crest under Joe Fanning came with a fast, late, run and only just failed to peg back the long time leader.

It was even closer for the minor honours with Sampower Quin (who had been up with the pace throughout), Oriental Cavalier (also with the pace) and Flying Lady (running on) crossed the line in a heap with the verdict being given in the order stated.

Backers of Sampower Quin may feel aggreived as the jockey carried 2 lbs overweight.

It has to be said with a large field the race became a little rough as the field bunched up and there were a few hard luck stories.

Street Of Hope was withdrawn at the start and did not come under orders.

13:42 Communication signals at Pontefract are intermittent this afternoon - updates will be uploaded as quickly as possible.

13:15 Good afternoon from Pontefract where the weather is overcast. The official going is Good to Soft, Good in places.

We currently have three non-runners, details on the right.

There is a six race card for the final meeting of 2008.

Return to race archive:

Non-Runners

2:40
9 Ernies Keep (not eaten up)

3:10
3 Memphis Man (lame)

3:40
5 Lahaleeb (not eaten up)

Results

2:10

1st 1 Fastnet Storm 11/1
2nd 3 Dubai Crest 6/1F
3rd 16 Sampower Quin 33/1
4th 11 Oriental Cavalier 11/1
16 Ran w/d 17
Distances Sht Hd, 1 1/2 & Sht Hd
Fav second
Tote
Win £12.60
Place £3.50 £1.90 £8.10 £2.90
Exacta £70.70
CSF £70.90
Tricast £2,195.97
Time 1' 50.12"
No rule 4

2:40

1st 16 Speedy Guru 9/2 jf
2nd 5 Zegna 8/1
3rd 14 Hameildaeme 9/2 jf
15 Ran NR 9
Distances head & 3 3/4
Fav winner & third
Tote
Win £5.40
Place £1.60 £3.70 £2.40
Exacta £38.60
CSF £38.48
Time 1' 19.30"

3:10

1st 1 Kay Two 7/1 fav
2nd 14 Dig Deep 16/1
3rd 15 Mr Wolf 9/1
4th 7 Foxy Music 10/1
16 Ran NR 3
Distances 1/2, head
Fav winner
Tote
Win £6.80
Place £2.40 £4.70 £1.80 £2.30
Exacta £99.10
CSF £115.73
Tricast £1,032.75
Time 1' 04.63"

3:40

1st 3 Playfellow 4/9 fav
2nd 2 Mishrif 5/2
4 Ran NR 5
Distances
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.50
Exacta £1.80
CSF £1.85
Time 1' 51.25"

4:10

1st 7 Mr Crystal 8/1
2nd 10 Miss Serena 6/1
3rd 12 Unawatuna 16/1
12 Ran
Distances Short head & 8
Fav 8 Thewhirlingdervish 4/1 (7th)
Tote
Win £11.00
Place £3.20 £2.30 £4.00
Exacta £84.40
CSF £56.92
Tricast £767.12
Time 4' 07.5"

4:40

1st 5 King Fingal 20/1
2nd 17 Dream Of Olwyn 25/1
3rd 6 Ahlawy 16/1
4th 2 Force Group 3/1 fav
17 Ran
Distances 1 1/4 , 3/4 , 2 1/2
Fav fourth
Tote
Win £29.80
Place £4.50 £5.90 £2.30 £1.40
Exacta £887.00
CSF £439.39
Tricast £7,945.79
Time 2' 17.27"