UK: Girl Grabs Pontefract Prize

Gifted Girl will pitch for riches in America next month after collecting her first victory at Listed level in the Weatherbys VAT Services Pipalong Stakes at Pontefract.

Dropping back from Group Three class, Paul Cole's 9-4 favourite was facing a rematch with Ladys First, whom she had finished ahead of when they were a respective second and third in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at the Derby meeting.

Ladys First had subsequently managed to take second in the Duke Of Cambridge at Royal Ascot and had every chance on this occasion but Gifted Girl, who had been settled by Tom Queally at the rear of the field, finished off the mile event with conviction and won by two lengths.

The unlucky horse in the field was Epsom fifth Ultrasonic, with Ryan Moore forced to switch very wide after being denied room up the inner on his only ride at the meeting. Sir Michael Stoute's filly eventually salvaged third.

Cole's son and assistant, Oliver, said: "We missed Royal Ascot as she didn't come down the hill at Epsom very well, and she had a nice break. I think the ground was quick enough for any horse, but I think she'll come on for that and she's a very exciting filly who should only get better. The plan now is to go for the Beverly D Stakes at Arlington."

Charlie McBride's One Penny Piece (8-1), a respectable third in novice company last time, found the Dianne Nursery to be the right spot to cash in again.

Circle Of Angels (15-2) maintained the excellent form of the Mark Johnston yard in the Racing UK Your Racing Home From Home Handicap, while David Barron's thriving Jofranka (7-4 favourite) proved immovable from the front in the Jeff And Margaret Smith Memorial Handicap.

Dark Castle (9-2) landed the King Richard III Handicap for Micky Hammond, with Silk Sari (9-4 favourite) on the mark for Kieren Fallon and Luca Cumani in the Red Shirt Night Beer Festival 19th July Maiden Stakes.

The concluding Three Score Year And Ten Handicap went the way of 9-4 favourite The Scuttler.


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