States-bound Richard Kingscote signs off the year with success on Huberts Dream

Wednesday: Lingfield

A decisive win on Huberts Dream ushered the end of the British Flat year for Derby-winning jockey Richard Kingscote, who revealed plans to race in the United States at the start of next year.

Kingscote claimed back-to-back success with the Stuart Williams-trained colt, who justified odds-on favouritism to storm home by five lengths in the first division of the nursery.

"I was a passenger last week and was a passenger again today," the winning rider said. "He showed a lot of speed the last week over seven furlongs and I thought he had the pace for six furlongs now, and he proved me right."

Kingscote finished the year with 98 winners which included Derby success with Desert Crown and Champion Stakes victory on Bay Bridge. However, he opted against securing a century in favour of a break ahead of a planned stint in Florida at the start of 2023.

He said: "Over the last couple of weeks I was half trying to get to 100, but a few got beat. I could keep chasing, but I'm on holiday next week motorbiking and I thought it was a good time to stop for the year.

"I'm looking to go to the States in the new year as I've been before for the Breeders' Cup but never for a stint. I was asked if I would be interested and just thought I'd give it a go."

Wednesday's success marked the second win in two starts for Huberts Dream on the all-weather, having been gambled into 2-1 favourite for his previous success last week.

Pocket rocket

The second division of the nursery produced another stylish winner in Pocket The Packet, who claimed his fourth success in five starts since October for George Boughey.

"He's a real tough and consistent little horse who seems to be really enjoying his racing at the moment," said winning jockey Jim Crowley. "George has done a great job of placing him and hopefully he can keep on going. He hasn't stopped winning yet."

While Crowley's year was dominated by his partnership with Baaeed, a double on Wednesday completed by Crystal Delight’s victory in the 1m2f novice, pushed the jockey two clear of last year’s tally of 85 winners.

"I've stopped looking at numbers now, to be honest," he said. "But any year you ride more winners than the previous year is a good thing."

Middleham on top

Lingfield's feature 6f handicap went in favour of Middleham Park's Tyger Bay, who snatched victory by a head under 3lb claimer Tyler Heard for trainer Conrad Allen.

Heard said: "It was a decent race and worked out well for him. They went a good gallop and he could quicken off that and stays well, so it couldn't have gone any better.

"It's great to get a first success with Conrad Allen and also another winner for Middleham Park. I had a few for them as a 7lb claimer, and it's great to deliver another win."

Results, replays and analysis

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