Return to Knavesmire and soft ground revitalises Carpenter

It may have rained non-stop as racing returned to the Knavesmire but there was an immediate reminder of summer – albeit summer 2015.

That was when Master Carpenter won the John Smith's Cup here, part of a four-timer for Phillip Makin on the jockey's day of days.

The six-year-old had not won since but put the record straight on his return to York as he landed the opening handicap over the John Smith's trip of 1m2½f by an emphatic five lengths.