Lightening strikes twice to go to head of Ponte Premiership table

The college, based just outside Doncaster, was set up in 1984 and provides a range of courses at all levels for people who are looking at the horse racing industry as a future career, writes Alexia Chesters.

It also offers those currently in the business the chance to develop their qualifications and skills and provides the ideal opportunity to nurture the grass roots and future of the sport.

The latest meeting at Ponte highlighted the great work of the college with the charity race day run for the 37th time.

A great midweek crowd enjoyed the action under sunshine and blue skies with some terrific racing and exciting finishes.

It all started with the five-furlong Racing Foundation Supports The NHC EBF Maiden Stakes and the winner of the opening race was Innichen.

The Jack Channon-trained juvenile showed the benefit of his previous experience to get off the mark at the third time of asking under jockey Tom Marquand.

Marquand notched a quickfire double in taking the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust Supports the NHC EBF Novice Stakes on board odds-on favourite Infraad.

Always at the head of affairs, the William Haggas representative appreciated every yard of the 1m2f distance, coming clear of his rivals in the final furlong to win in impressive fashion.

The five-furlong NARS Supports the National Horseracing College Handicap went the way of Julie Camacho’s Alpine Girl under Ryan Sexton while Walsingham, a dual winner at Pontefract last season, returned to winning ways for David O’Meara and Danny Tudhope in the one-mile Tuffa Boots Supports National Horseracing College Handicap.

O’Meara was quickly at the double with Veblen Good coming from last to first to take the six-furlong HBLB Supports the National Horseracing College Handicap in the hands of 5lb apprentice Cian Horgan.

Lightening Company won at the opening meeting of the season and he followed up in the 1m2f Chadwick Lawrence Supports National Horseracing College Handicap for Ben Haslam and Harry Vigors.

The 2/1 joint-favourite did well to hold off Finlaggan to win by a neck.

In doing so he shot to the top of the table in the Ponte Premiership, an innovative competition with £5,000 up for grabs where horses accrue points each time they race at Pontefract with extra points for winning, placing and best turned out awards.

The finale was the one-mile Yorkshire Society Supports the National Horseracing College Handicap and Powerful Response sent favourite backers home happy, making all the running to score under Sam James for trainer Geoff Harker.

The next meeting at Pontefract is one of their big ones of the season with their Music Night set to take place on Friday, May 22.

Boyzlife, featuring former Boyzone and Westlife members Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden will perform live after racing.

It promises to be an unforgettable evening of racing and music as racegoers can feel the adrenaline of six action packed races, followed by a live music performance that will have them dancing into the evening.

The music will take place in the Grandstand and Paddock Enclosure after the last race. Those in the Picnic Enclosure can upgrade to the Grandstand and Paddock Enclosure for £5 after the last race for the music, subject to availability.

Tickets are currently on sale via the website (pontefract-races.co.uk).