Mark's Choice records a special success at Ripon following owner's death

It might have been the Great St Wilfrid consolation race rather than the main event, but the victory of Mark's Choice at Ripon on Saturday meant so much to connections following the death of owner Dr Keith Howard this week.

Carrying the familiar colours of Howard's Cragg Wood Racing, Mark's Choice recorded his fifth course win in 11 starts, which is three victories short of the late owner's Ripon legend Pipers Note, who was retired at the age of ten last year.

Jockey Cam Hardie shrugged off the discomfort of a dislocated thumb to gain a poignant success on the Sam England-trained five-year-old, who returned at odds of 20-1.

"Keith died on Thursday so that was fitting," said Cragg Wood's racing manager Mark Atkinson. "He knew the horse was coming today and it's remarkable we've ended up with a situation like this.

"We bought this horse at the breeze-ups and Keith named him after me, which was fantastic. Keith was going to be 90 this month and racing was his passion."

Hardie capped a topsy-turvy week with victory in the £20,000 sprint after being denied a double at Wolverhampton on Friday when the stewards stripped him of success on San Francisco Bay in the nursery due to interference.

The jockey bounced back from the disappointment to register his first victory at the track in 761 days and 51 rides on Mark's Choice.

Mark's Choice in the winner's enclosure at Ripon with trainer Sam England and racing manager Mark AtkinsonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"He's a course specialist and has been in fine order," Hardie said. "It's a bit of a fairytale as I had a very tough day yesterday, losing that race and last night I dislocated my thumb. It's obviously not bothered me and it's good to get a nice win on the board."

Mark's Choice, who had undegone wind surgery since his last run at Pontefract last month, was winning for third time since moving to England from Pipers Note's trainer Ruth Carr last summer.

England, better known for her exploits over jumps, said: "It's really quite fitting after the death of his owner Keith. He's a lovely horse and it's nice he's done it for his owners. He's entered at Ayr and we'll see what the handicapper does. When he's right he runs a very good race."

Watch Mark's Choice record a poignant success at Ripon

Read more:

Glass Slippers to miss Nunthorpe ahead of Flying Five defence

Social media abuse made Ciaran Gethings 'ashamed' to show his face

Yorkshire Oaks confirmations: Snowfall on course to repeat Enable heroics

Watch live races through the Racing Post. Log in to your bookmaker account and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here