WITH the premature end to the season on grass, several Wales & West competitors have been making the long trip to York Raceway, and bringing home a share of the spoils.

Beacon Temptation, the classy three-year-old owned by Roy Wilson, has been runner-up in fast times on a couple of occasions, no mean feat with records being broken at York on a regular basis.

Anthony Fettah, probably the most ebullient owner on the Wales & West scene, sent out his youngster Squaw’s Fella for his debut race at York last weekend with Andrew Cairns on the sulky seat.

Fettah was delighted when the four-year-old scooted clear of the opposition at the three-quarter pole and cruised home comfortably in the very respectable time of 2.3.0.

Teifion Thomas went to watch the nine-year-old Duggan’s Jackpot in hope rather than expectation, but the gelding took no prisoners in the third mile-and-a-quarter heat, sprinting two lengths clear of the field with Vikki Gill.

“He’s done that really well, but the final will be hard as he won’t be off the gate,” Thomas said.

The eight-runner final was indeed an epic battle and four horses flashed over the line abreast. After careful deliberation, the judges declared Duggan’s Jackpot the winner, a heartbeat ahead of Betterthanchocolate (Ian Pimlott).

The abrupt and untimely end to the grass season unfortunately meant that some of the stalwart performers who bow out in 2008 were not honoured on their final appearances.

The mighty hero Fearless JR was scheduled to retire at the Tregaron fixture, as was his owner/trainer/driver, Richard Owens, but the cancellation of the meeting also wiped out the intended ceremony and presentation.

I Am The Man, owned by Gladestry couple Joe and Kim Alman, the ‘problem child’ who responded to their care and attention to win 11 races and be placed 44 times over nine years, is another who now retires from the circuits.

‘Sam’ as the popular gelding with the broad white blaze is known, will now become a full-time shepherding ‘pony’ for his devoted trainer.