'As tough as they come' - seventh heaven for track stalwart Round The Island

Thursday: Pontefract

Pontefract specialist Round The Island continued his remarkable record at the track by picking up his seventh course-and-distance success and a third win in the opening 6f apprentice handicap.

The Simon Whitaker-trained nine-year-old defied a troubled passage to win by a short-head and complete the hat-trick, having won back-to-back runnings in 2018 and 2019.

"We're absolutely delighted. He's been working really well and absolutely loves it here with the uphill finish, especially when there is some cut in the ground," Whitaker said.

"He can get in amongst his rivals with bumping and barging and while you do need a bit of luck there, he really responds to rough races.

"He's as tough as they come and is loving his racing now as much as he ever has done."

Round The Island could make a swift return at Catterick on Saturday, but Whitaker is eyeing up the ambitious target of taking his course wins to ten in 2023.

"He'll be racing again next year and it would be brilliant if he could get into double-figure wins at Pontefract, it really would," the trainer added.

Fine season

Julie Camacho's career-best campaign continued as she picked up her 35th winner of the year with Hougoumont's narrow victory in the first division of the 6f novice.

Winning machine

Infiniti made it five wins from her last six starts with a gutsy success in the 2m1f handicap.

Results, replays and analysis

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