Wells digs deep in Castle

PROSPECT WELLS made a triumphant return to the track with a gallant effort in the totepool Pontefract Castle Stakes at the West Yorkshire venue.

The five-year-old, formerly trained in France by Andre Fabre, almost died following complications after a gelding operation went wrong, but was finally able to make his debut for Howard Johnson and owners Andrea and Graham Wylie.

The son of Sadler's Wells brought good form to the table, having won a Group Two in Saint-Cloud two years ago, and he was also second in the Group One Grand Prix de Paris that season.

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Having privately changed hands, mainly to go jumping, Prospect Wells (9-2) showed he still retained plenty of ability when giving his all for Paul Mulrennan in a pulsating finish on fast ground.

He managed to hold the good yardstick Nanton by half a length after a terrific tussle in the final furlong.

Johnson's travelling head lass Rachel Kirtley said: "He's a star. He had a bad time when he was gelded and we nearly lost him. I've got quite attached to him so I'm a bit emotional. It's a miracle he's still here. He was skin and bone at one stage, but thankfully once we got him back he's never looked back."

Nanton's rider Kieren Fallon went one better on Markington (15-8 favourite) in the totesport.com Pontefract Cup.

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A winner over hurdles at Aintree just nine days earlier, the Peter Bowen-trained gelding repeated last year's success in this two-and-a-quarter-mile test. However, he was all out to keep Swinging Hawk at bay by a neck. "It was always the intention to come back here to try and win it again," said Bowen.

Arizona John (10-1) came with a powerful run to land the Bet totepool On 0800221 221 Handicap.

Aidan O'Brien described Starspangledbanner as the fastest horse he has ever trained after he burnt up Ascot's six furlongs to land Saturday's Golden Jubilee Stakes.

The Australian import arrived with a huge reputation and although he could finish only fifth on his Ballydoyle debut, he made no mistake at the second time of asking. Sent straight to the head of affairs by Johnny Murtagh, the four-year-old showed devastating pace towards the stands' rail. He then kept up the blistering gallop to score by a length and three-quarters from Society Rock.

"We've never had one go that fast furlong by furlong," said O'Brien.

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