Review of racing at Pontefract: Brian The Snail in winning debut for Richard Fahey

News of the action from Pontefract where the Richard Fahey-trained Brian The Snail justified favouritism on his debut

Brian The Snail justified favouritism on his debut with a likeable success in the Book Your 17th October totepool Package Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Pontefract.

Named after a character in the Magic Roundabout like his sire Zebedee, the Richard Fahey-trained youngster was certainly no slow coach as he came late into the race to claim victory.

Delivered with a patient and well-timed run by Tony Hamilton, the 2/1 market leader got up in the last 100 yards to nail Father McKenzie by a length.

Dundunah, who had made much of the running, was two and a half lengths away in third place.

"This horse is such a gent and is so laid-back it took Tony a long time to pull him up," said Fahey's assistant, Robin O'Ryan.

"He's been big and backward, so we've been in no rush with him. He's got a lot to learn and there's plenty of improvement in him."

Lawyer (7/2) came with a dogged challenge under Sam James to claim division one of the Matty Brown Handicap.

Freight Train made a bold bid to make all the running over the mile, but had nothing left well into the final furlong as Lawyer and Normandy Knight threw down their bids.

It was the David Barron-trained Lawyer who prevailed by three-quarters of a length with Normandy Knight getting second spot by a nose.

"The lad rode a good race on him and kept him going all the way," said Barron's son, Tim.

The William Haggas-trained Queen Of The Stars (4/9 favourite) landed the odds with the minimum of fuss, coming home seven lengths clear of Transmitting in the Watch Racing UK In HD Maiden Stakes in the hands of William Twiston-Davies.

Medina Sidonia may return to Pontefract next month in search of more staying honours after grinding out victory in the ROA/Racing Post Owners Jackpot Handicap.

The Bluff Cove Handicap over two and a quarter miles back at the West Yorkshire track on October 3 or the two-mile coral.co.uk Stayers Handicap at York five days later are possible targets for the Tim Easterby-trained four-year-old.

The 4/1 scorer was registering just his second win from 20 starts after getting up in the shadow of the post under a strong drive from 3lb claimer Rachel Richardson to deny La Fritillaire by a short head.

"I thought he was second. He just stays and stays, and goes on any ground," said Keith Stone for Easterby, who has his horses in great nick.

"I think he's just getting better and there's no limit to his stamina. I imagine he'd either come back here or go to York."

Kassia (3/1 favourite) made a triumphant return to action after a seven-week break to stamp her authority in the £30,000 EBF Breeders' Series Fillies' Handicap.

Graham Lee made full use of Kassia's inside draw as he had Mick Channon's three-year-old in a handy position before launching a bid in the straight.

Driven into the lead, Kassia was too strong for the opposition, taking the West Yorkshire track's richest handicap by three-quarters of a length from Stellarta, with Love Island the same distance away in third place.

"She did it very well indeed. The boss is delighted. He said she's grown physically and mentally as the season has progressed," said Channon's travelling head lass, Lesley White.

Mysterial (14/1) put up a bold front-running performance to land the Book Your Christmas Party Here On 0113 2876387 Handicap.

Apprentice Ger O'Neill had Declan Carroll's six-year-old smartly out of the stalls from his wide draw to claim the far rail and dictate affairs.

Though the pack closed-in from the home turn, Mysterial kept on gamely to hold Play Nicely by a neck.

Carroll said: "That was very good. The kid gave him a super ride. He had a lot against him from that draw, but he loves this ground.

"I think that was a personal best by him today. I thought he had to do that to win and he has. He's been a good servant."

Irish Optimism (5/4 favourite), trained by John Quinn, had to be driven right out by Jack Garritty to hold Kiwi Bay's late challenge by three-quarters of a length in division two of the Matty Brown Handicap.

Be Royale (16/1) galloped on stoutly up the hill for Ben Sanderson to take the Racing UK Profits Returned To Racing Apprentice Handicap by two lengths from the 11/8 favourite Mr Orange.

Winning trainer Mick Appleby said: "She's done that all right. We put a tongue tie on her for the first time. It's helped and we dropped her down to six furlongs to see if it would suit her.

"She was dropped in grade as well."