Pontefract launches Go Racing in Yorkshire Festival

“The feature five-furlong sprint, the Sky Bet Go-Racing-In-Yorkshire Summer Festival Handicap (7.07) looks an intriguing one, with veteran sprinter Badri and I’m Next vying for favouritism at the top of the ante post market, with both bidding to complete hat-tricks.

Michael Herrington’s Badri completed a double at the course 10 days ago and made it three wins in four races in the process and has the benefit of five-pound claimer Connor Whiteley for the top weight, who runs under a penalty.

Stable jockey David Allan is in the plate for Easterby’s horse who won at Redcar a month ago and followed up at Beverley two weeks ago and the trainer is hopeful he can go in again.

He told a press conference held at Thirsk racecourse yesterday to launch the popular week of Yorkshire racing: “I’m Next is one we are looking forward to.

"I class him as a soft ground horse but obviously it is not going to be soft at Ponte’, it is going to be fast, I would think.

“But he seems to be coping with really fast ground at this time and we think he will have a really good chance.”

Allan and Easterby also team up with Mount King in the concluding Always Trying Racing Syndicate Handicap (8.52) over a mile and six furlongs.

Ruth Carr’s Reigning Profit also goes in the feature sprint and the Stillington handler feels he can go well despite a four-pound penalty for his win at Ripon when last seen.

She said: “He’s the outside but one draw and there looks to be plenty of pace but he should give it a good go. He is generally very consistent and has won us ten races so he’s quite the yard favourite.

“He’s a big chunk of a chestnut horse and is quite numb with his head but he a favourite.”

Trainer David Easterby plans to have a runner at every meeting so that he can ride to the course on his bicycle as part of a fundraising drive for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

His stable runs Resdev Time in the opening Babs Woolford Memorial Apprentice Classified Stakes (6.00) with Lewis Chalkley doing the steering.

“It was ridden by the apprentice [Chalkley] at Ripon last time but things didn’t go to plan jumping out of the stalls. I couldn’t find another apprentice race over that trip so we are giving Lewis another chance.

“It is a filly we keep stepping up in trip and she keeps giving us a bit more – so I think she has got a very solid chance.”

At Thirsk yesterday, the first two races went as the market had suggested, with Lambourn raider Clementines Star making light work of her two rivals in the opening Best Ticket Deals Online At thirskraces Book Now Restricted Maiden Fillies' Stakes over seven furlongs.

Lambourn pair Daniel and Claire Kubler’s horse was sent off the 8-15 favourite under William Carver and made all, running on well to finish two lengths clear of Craig Lidster’s Princess Honey Bee (11-4) and Joanna Mason.

The second race, the By Chen Presidential Apprentice Handicap run just shy of a mile, was a much tighter affair as Tim Easterby’s Hatamoto (4-5 fav), ridden by five-pound claimer Jake Dickson, just held on to deny Leelawadee (5-1) from the Michael Dods stable.

The grey filly Angel Numbers (7-1) won on her debut for the aforementioned Carr in the five-furlong Sell Your Business With Anderson Barrowcliff Handicap, while Tom Eaves produced a fine ride on Park Lane Penny (11-2) to win the Don't Miss Summer Family Days At thirskraces Classified Stakes.

The winner completely blew the start and appeared to have no chance in the early stages, but turning for home Eaves was soon closing the gap on the leaders on Ivan Furtado’s filly and she pressed on well, holding off the late challenge of Kevin Stott and Here Comes Louie (20-1) with 150-1 shot Bridgefoot Rambler, third.

Declan Carroll’s Captain Cess (3-1) won the penultimate Meijer Celebration Cup Handicap for Zak Wheatley with David O’Meara’s Capital Guarantee (15-2) winning the concluding mile handicap for Connor Wheatley.