Sprintingforgold’s easy victory gives James a treble

Racing finally took place at The Pigeons, a fortnight after the original fixture was postponed due to heavy rain. Once postponed, the Turf Club was unable to provide staff to cover a rearranged fixture a week later, which meant fresh entries were required. As a result only 37 horses were declared, a disappointing turnout which shows the need for meetings to take place as soon as possible after the initial date.

Jockey Rob James was in treble-winning form at the fixture, taking his total to 17 winners for the season. He’s had 90 winners since 2010 and is now fifth in the jockeys’ title race. He’s well on track to match his career best of 25 winners in one season, which he achieved last year.

It was not until the third race, the Groarke & Partners Solicitors five-year-old geldings’ maiden, that the Wexford-based rider recorded the first of his three winners when guiding Cockle Bay to a short-head victory over Boland’s Mill. Trained by Colin Bowe, Cockle Bay had failed to complete in four previous starts in point-to-points, but the Milan gelding jumped notably well on this occasion and rallied gamely to lead close home.