Leading Northern jockey PJ McDonald discusses the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, which started at Ripon last weekend

THE Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival is always a time of the year I enjoy. You only have to look at the crowds that turn out and the atmosphere they create to know that the county is passionate about horse racing.

I love riding at all the tracks, but York has to be my favourite, I just wish it was a little easier to ride winners there. The racing is so competitive on the Knavesmire it makes it that much harder to get past the winning post in front.

I was top jockey at the Festival last year, and I’m hoping I can win again this year. I got off to a great start riding a couple of winners at the weekend, including a winner at Ripon on Saturday aboard Dubai Dynamo.

I must have ridden this lad over 60 times during his career and he’s been good enough to give me eight winners during that time. He’s an absolute gent, he runs with such enthusiasm at his age and he’s a credit to his trainer Ruth Carr.

LOOKING ahead to this week, I’m off to Catterick on Wednesday for three rides for my boss Ann Duffield. Young Windsor in the first race (2pm) looks to have a decent chance. I haven’t ridden him in a race yet, but I rode against him at Ripon on Saturday and he ran well at 66-1 to finish sixth, so I’d be hopeful he can come on from that.

Baron Spikey (3.30pm) only has three opponents, and is carrying less weight than the other horses so should go close. Bear Skin, my ride in the sixth race (4.30pm), is a tricky one to work out - he has the ability but it all depends on which side of the bed (or stable) he gets up from.

Finally I encourage you all to get along to one of the Yorkshire tracks this week. There’s nothing quite like it, and they’re all so unique in what they offer. Plus kids go free, so you couldn’t ask for more!

* The Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival runs from 18th – 26th July. For more info please go to www.goracing.co.uk or follow them on Twitter @YorkshireRacing.