Desert delight at York
Nevada Desert was given a fine front-running ride by young jockey Michael Stainton to land the skypoker.com Claiming Stakes at York.
The seven-year-old has been found wanting in handicap company of late but dropped in class, and relishing the testing conditions, he rallied gamely to win by one and a quarter lengths.
Waterside and Kudbeme fought out the placings but could never quite get on terms with the 11-4 winner, who gave local owner Barry Pemberton his first winner on the Knavesmire.
“He was wrong at the weights today so I hope he doesn’t get put up too much,” said winning trainer Richard Whitaker.
“He can’t win handicaps off his current mark but we have been waiting for this ground. It’s nice to win a good claimer at York.”
