Ponte one-two for in-form Johnston

MARK JOHNSTON signalled his return to form with a treble at Royal Ascot and underlined his team’s resurgence when sending out a one-two in Pontefract’s Spindrifter Conditions Stakes at Pontefract yesterday.

Beforehand, punters may have been excused for thinking the race was something of a formality with Dubai’s Touch the well-supported 4-7 favourite in a field of four, but in the event the contest proved to be an enthralling one.

Kevin Darley set a decent gallop aboard stablemate Armigerent and opened up a decent lead as the runners turned for home.