Third Success In Valuable Pontefract Conditions Event

After getting outpaced in a competitive five furlong conditions event at Ascot, we were confident the stiff six furlongs at Pontefract would suit Master Carpenter and he'd make it a successful 560 mile round trip to the Yorkshire course. The £15,000 Conditions event is a race we like to target with our best two-year-olds, having had three representative in the event, winning it in 2003 with Cop Hill Lad (later runner-up in the Super Sprint) and 2009 with Roi De Vitesse (runner-up in Group 2 Superlative Stakes) while Glenmuir was second in 2005. With Master Carpenter's running style and breeding suggesting he was only going to improve stepped up in trip, we were slightly surprised that the Richard Hannon trained Malachim Mist was such a hot favourite, as both had showed a similar level of form and he'd already had a run over six. Although the fact that Richard Hughes highlighted him in his Racing Post column certainly gave confidence to his many supporters. However, those that kept the faith with the smaller yard were rewarded with an 11/4 winner as Master Carpenter won a shade comfortably, always doing enough to win by a length and three quarters.

Master Carpenter's next target will be the Chesham at Royal Ascot and he fully deserves to take his chance at the Royal meeting. Andrea suggested that he needs seven furlongs already and as the Chesham is restricted to two-year-olds whose sire have won over ten furlongs or more. This means it's by far the weakest two-year-old race at the meeting, as most early two-year-olds are ineligible for the contest and we're hopeful of a big run.