Pontefract visit works for Carson

Bryan Smart’s Ptolemaic, a 50-1 chance, nearly stole the Tankard from the front but Carson did not panic and timed his run just right on the 15-2 shot who won by three-and-a-quarter lengths.

“That`s my first-ever Pattern-race winner,” said Carson. “I think the dead ground helped him as he was the most experienced and toughest horse in the field.

“I was a bit frustrated earlier in the year that things weren`t really happening, but it`s come together nicely and I`ve had a good season.”

Of the three rivals vying for the Champions Jockey trophy, only Thirsk-based Silvestre de Sousa had any joy yesterday.

Leader Paul Hanagan drew a blank at Pontefract, as did Kieren Fallon at Windsor.

But de Sousa closed the gap slightly on Hanagan by guding Descaro home in the Toteexacta Bluff Cove Handicap at Pontefract.