THE curtain rose in style on the 2019 season at Cartmel Racecourse this week as crowds flocked to the venue for the Whit Meeting.
Despite indifferent weather on the opening day on Saturday which saw grey skies and rain, there as an excellent attendance for the seven race card.
Highlights included a win in the Oakmere Homes Handicap for the Kenny Johnson trained Cairnshill.
Bank Holiday Monday saw better weather and another big crowd which enjoyed some fine racing including a win for 14-year-old former Scottish Grand National winner Al Co in the Veterans’ Handicap Chase.
Ridden by Henry Brooke, Al Co started at a generous 25/1 but outlasted all his younger rivals to surge home by four and a half lengths.
Course specialist jockey Brian Hughes rode two winners on Monday to add to his one on Saturday as the Irishman chased a fifth Jockeys’ Challenge title in the last six years.
The Whit Meeting concluded with an evening meeting last night, and the next meeting at Cartmel Racecourse is on June 28.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here