Going - Good to Firm.
Jackpot Pool - £28,169.02 Not Won. Carried forward to Pontefract on Sunday 21st June. Placepot Pool - £684,179.21 Dividend - £3,089.80 Winning Units - 161.66. Quadpot Pool - £87,081.98 Dividend - £247.00 Winning Units - 260.84.
Almeraq bounces back to win sprint spectacular
This horse and him both took horror falls at the back end of last year, Jim’s fighting for his career, he should be aboard this horse, it’s his (ride). For Jim, this is as hard as it gets, missing Group Ones. It’s great to have him here and hopefully he can find a bit of pleasure seeing this lad get up off the ground and win a big one. It was a great race, I was so busy watching both of them (his runners) because Lake Forest was coming from the back and I thought Almeraq was gone as he was off the bridle halfway. He obviously stayed on very well. I’m very sorry for the Japanese horse, it’d have been lovely to have had a Japanese winner. It’s terrific that they come across the world to race here and support our biggest meeting, I’m delighted to beat them but long may it continue. He had a fall at York last year where poor Jim got injured along with another jockey (Trevor Whelan), he took a long time to come back and it’s been gently gently this spring. He won nicely at Salisbury, but this was a complete jump in class and he’s coped with it nicely. I would think the (July Cup) would be the natural step, for sure. May I say how thrilled I am for Shadwell, I’ve been involved with them for some time. It’s very difficult here, it’s hard for everyone who is trying to compete.
Golden Gates joy for James McDonald and exciting Lost Boys
It’s time to celebrate now but we will make the plans down the line. Group races can’t be too far away,. Then after the first bend I had a little bit of hope because he looked like he was switching off really nicely, basically he recharged his batteries at that point to finish off the race. But what a finish, he was unbelievable. He’s an exceptional horse because he shows us different traits every time.
