More than 40,000 people saw the 51st running of the John Smith's Cup

Tadcaster trainer Tom Tate missed out on "the biggest day of my career" after a tense finish to the John Smith's Cup.

Michael Bell's Wigmore Hall, ridden by Martin Lane, bumped Tate's Kings Gambit before winning by a short head and provoking a long stewards' inquiry.

Tate said: "He's run a cracking race and Jamie (Spencer, jockey) was certain he'd get it in the stewards room, but that's the way it goes, I suppose."

Lane admitted the decision "might have gone the other way".

Frequent York winner, Malton trainer Richard Fahey, had to settle for third place with Demolition.

Despite those big race disappointments, local trainers came out of the meeting well, with four of them celebrating a win on the Saturday.

Middleham's Mark Johnston is a regular winner at Knavesmire, and he was joined by the smaller yards of Thirsk's Noel Wilson, Helmsley's David O'Meara and Malton's Geoff Oldroyd.

Wilson's win with 20-1 shot Hotham in the John Smith's Stakes was especially pleasing as the horse took some persuading to even enter the stalls.

"He has had a busy time of it and was especially difficult today," Wilson said. The horse is now on course for a tilt at the Ayr Gold Cup.

Oldroyd overcame different problems to encourage Lady Royale to win the John Smiths Sprint.

"The filly's (tended to) look about her at the finish, so we popped the blinkers on and it's made all the difference," he told BBC Radio York.

"It's a great track (at York), easy track to ride, if you have any hard luck stories on this track there's something wrong."

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