Neeraj Rawal’s second win came at Wolverhampton today – once again for his mentor Mark Johnston, edging the northern maestro near to his 5000th winner.
Gangway was favourite for a nine-and-a-half-furlong handicap at Wolverhampton but it took a really intelligent ride by Neeraj to grab the inside and save ground throughout the tight circuit.

“I walked the track beforehand,” he said. “You have to be vigilant when you’re up front. We don’t have left hand tracks in India – I’d never ridden one before. It boosts my confidence.”

And now he has ridden winners at two sand courses – Lingfield the other last Monday. His next ride comes on Friday at righthand Carlisle which is on turf and is a very undulating course – more conditions that Neeraj doesn’t encounter in India.

“I have to go back home, I’ve made up my mind, my connections back home deserve my loyalty,” said Neeraj who has impressed everyone with his polite manners and his riding ability. His post-race television interview, still in the winning blue Middleham Park Racing colours was punctuated by congratulations from delighted members of the syndicate.

Mark Johnston was at York for the big Juddmonte meeting where he spoke to me. “Neeraj gave Gangway a lovely ride. It looked quite simple but he executed it perfectly.
“I have struggled to get him rides and I manage the partnership that own Gangway and Jilly Cooper his winner on Monday. We’ll miss him and now he’s found his feet hopefully he’ll be back next year.”