Brigg trainer Nick Kent gets first winner of 2016 at Doncaster

Brigg trainer Nick Kent is off the mark for 2016 after celebrating his first winner of 2016 at Doncaster last week.
Jack Pryor 
Cheltenham 11.12.15
Pic Dan Abraham-racingfotos.com EMN-160802-144752002Jack Pryor 
Cheltenham 11.12.15
Pic Dan Abraham-racingfotos.com EMN-160802-144752002
Jack Pryor Cheltenham 11.12.15 Pic Dan Abraham-racingfotos.com EMN-160802-144752002

Gonalston Cloud was the top weight in the Sky Net Handicap Chase, a race carrying £12,700 prize money and a qualifier for the Challenger Staying Chase Series Final.

The Class 4 Doncaster chase race, run over three miles and 18 fences, was quite a challenge on the good to soft ground for the 12 runners who went to post.

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Gonalston Cloud chased the leaders on the first circuit until jockey Andrew Tinkler made his move three fences from home.

Jockey turned trainer Nick Kent (right) rode as an amateur in point-to-points and under rules EMN-160802-144804002Jockey turned trainer Nick Kent (right) rode as an amateur in point-to-points and under rules EMN-160802-144804002
Jockey turned trainer Nick Kent (right) rode as an amateur in point-to-points and under rules EMN-160802-144804002

The 4-1 favourite soon got to the front and held on comfortably for an impressive nine-length win.

Owned by R. J. Jackson, this was a second win for the Kent-trained nine-year-old and gave the Newstead stable an early fillip for the new year.

* Market Rasen Racecourse has appointed a new clerk of the course, Jack Pryor who has taken over from Jane Hedley.

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The clerk is responsible for turf management and preparation for a race meeting, race programming, monitoring the going and ensuring the track is in tip-top condition for each meeting.

Jockey turned trainer Nick Kent (right) rode as an amateur in point-to-points and under rules EMN-160802-144804002Jockey turned trainer Nick Kent (right) rode as an amateur in point-to-points and under rules EMN-160802-144804002
Jockey turned trainer Nick Kent (right) rode as an amateur in point-to-points and under rules EMN-160802-144804002

Jack was previously group racing executive and analyst at the head office of Jockey Club Racecourses in London.

He was mentored during his training by one of the Jockey Club’s most experienced clerks of the course, Kirkland Tellwright.

Within the Jockey Club Racecourses Group, Jack is also responsible for Huntingdon Racecourse.

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He said: “I’m delighted to have completed my accreditation as a clerk of the course and to be taking charge, having worked alongside Jane for a number of fixtures.

“This has been my goal for a long time.”

Jane Hedley has moved to a similar position at Warwick Racecourse.

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