April 30 / 17.10 Pontefract

17.10

Good

Trustees Of The National Horseracing College Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 1m 0f 6y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
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Trustees Of The National Horseracing College Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 468-82

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
All three wins have been at Chelmsford; ran her best race for a while when beaten a short head at Southwell last time (1m3f); has shown bits of from on turf, and quite interesting on first run over 1m (has raced mainly over 6f/7f although also tried over 1m3f and 2m).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(3)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

14:45 Pontefract

Anificas Beauty

10st 8lb

J: Miss Lauren Sanders

T: Peter Winks

1m course winner (stays 1m3f) who won back-to-back starts at Beverley (both 8.5f, sound surface) in May/June; below par here (1m, good) on her penultimate start but posted a better effort at Redcar (1m1f, good to firm) latest; needs another step back in the right direction.

14/1

5th

3

(6)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 6

17:17 Redcar

Anificas Beauty

9st 7lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Peter Winks

Bagged a pair of 8.5f Beverley handicaps this summer but she ran poorly in her hat-trick bid at Pontefract (1m) last time; she's the sort to bounce back though.

12/1

7th

1

(4)

29th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:30 Pontefract

Anificas Beauty

9st 12lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Peter Winks

Prevailed by 1l last time to complete a Beverley double; back in good form but she failed in two previous hat-trick attempts and was beaten off 2lb lower (finished fourth) in this race 12 months ago.

11/4

9/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 626627 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Probably better on the AW but won on turf for David O'Meara in July 2021 (6f, good); good second over 1m at Newcastle two runs back and not beaten far when seventh of 13 at Thirsk last week (7f, good to firm).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(8)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Leicester

Odd Socks Havana

9st 6lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

Six of his seven wins have been on AW and yet to win beyond 8.5f; second of 11 at Pontefract (1m, good) ten days ago where he stayed on to suggest this longer trip should suit.

11/2

4th

6

(8)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Leicester

Odd Socks Havana

9st 6lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, headway and pressed leader from over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

11/2

2nd

3

(7)

30th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:10 Pontefract

Odd Socks Havana

9st 5lb

J: David Allan

T: Seb Spencer

Probably better on the AW but won on turf for David O'Meara in July 2021 (6f, good); good second over 1m at Newcastle two runs back and not beaten far when seventh of 13 at Thirsk last week (7f, good to firm).

9/1

9/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: 96864-

Last run: 225 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden; tried from 1m-1m4f since going handicapping last season, best effort when fourth of eight over 1m4f on AW on final start; unexposed and room for improvement; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(10)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

15:20 Newcastle (AW)

Spring Festival

9st 1lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

No wins in 17 and soundly beaten more often than not this season; runs well now and again but he's very light on AW experience.

16/1

5th

7

(6)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 6

16:10 Musselburgh

Spring Festival

9st 3lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: David O’Meara

16-race maiden; went close in Ayr classified (1m, good) last month but finished well down the field in a subsequent AW handicap (1m2f) and cannot be relied upon heavily; swaps cheekpieces for refitted visor.

8/1

Form: 5815-7 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Won two races last year, the first over 1m at Leicester in July (good to firm); not particularly consistent, but should come on for his reappearance run; worth considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(6)

29th Sep 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

First Encounter

9st 0lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Gallagher

Won two classified events earlier this year, over C&D in January and at Lingfield the following month; hasn't been in quite such good form since.

16/1

8th

3

(4)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

15:00 Brighton

First Encounter

9st 9lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: John Gallagher

Dual AW winner (8.4f/1m) in this grade at start of this year; ran as though something was amiss when back on turf last month but has possibilities if back on song.

11/1

11th

11

(2)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 6

20:25 Doncaster

First Encounter

8st 11lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: John Gallagher

Both turf wins have been at 1m on good to firm; has won twice in blinkers on AW this year; although not in top form last twice, these conditions are ideal and could go well on this return to turf.

8/1

Form: 09-898

Last run: 3 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Ex-John Davies; placed over 1m on a couple of occasions in first half of last turf season but form rather tailed off; mainly disappointing for this yard this year (last of eight at Wetherby on Sunday).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

18th Oct 2026

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:50 Sedgefield

Curious Mrs Fox

10st 13lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: David Thompson

Overall record is 0-33 (0-8 over hurdles) but she's in a consistent vein of form, good second at Perth (2m) most recently; creditable third over C&D (good) the time before; fighting chance.

5/1

2nd

5

24th Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

14:49 Perth

Curious Mrs Fox

11st 3lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: David Thompson

Longstanding Flat maiden but only had the seven races over hurdles and her turn could be near after finishing close up at Uttoxeter (2m) and Sedgefield (2m4f; again good ground); thereabouts.

4/1

3rd

6

9th Sep 2026

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

14:30 Sedgefield

Curious Mrs Fox

10st 12lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: David Thompson

Longstanding Flat maiden who is 0-6 over hurdles but she kept on well for second at Uttoxeter in July (2m, good); this longer trip might stretch her.

13/2

Form: 514347 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Won over 1m at Southwell in February and some fair runs on the AW since; won a Brighton handicap for Charlie Johnston in 2023 (1m2f, good to firm) but hasn't fared as well on turf since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(5)

15th Oct 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Mickey Mongoose

9st 3lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Olly Williams

All of his four AW wins have been at Southwell and latest was over C&D in May; well handicapped on that form but he's lost his way and was beaten 9l after a slow start at Wolverhampton last time; returns to his favoured track but he needs a major revival.

10/1

6th

5

(1)

28th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mickey Mongoose

9st 4lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Olly Williams

Has secured all four wins at Southwell, the latest off 1lb lower in May; sure to be suited by this return to Tapeta but has questions to answer after two poor turf runs (6f/7.4f).

16/1

Form: 494836

Last run: 54 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
14-race maiden; has a chance on his third at Newcastle two runs back (1m), but was disappointing next time; lacks consistency.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(4)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 6

16:45 Ripon

Top Gun Tina

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: David Thompson

Record of 1-33 reflects her limitations, certainly over shorter trips; chance largely depends on the effects of this belated second crack at 1m2f.

20/1

4th

7

(10)

4th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 173y

Class 6

18:39 Carlisle

Top Gun Tina

10st 0lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: David Thompson

Three runs here include a neck defeat by stablemate Where's The Crumpet (1m, good to soft) last May and when taking a division of this race (soft) under Gina Mangan last year; that remains her only win and she's been off since April; market may help to decipher if this has been the target.

16/1

5th

14

(5)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Top Gun Tina

9st 0lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: David Thompson

Off the mark at Carlisle (1m) last July but her more recent form is less encouraging and she's finished down the field here (1m/7f) in last three starts; overall record is 1-31 and others are preferred; yard also runs Martin's Brig and Wheres The Crumpet.

20/1

Form: 90426-

Last run: 158 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
14-race maiden; sound run when second in a Redcar handicap last November (1m, soft); lesser run on AW two weeks later and absent since; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

14

(16)

16th Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

16:48 Redcar

Penny Ghent

9st 5lb

J: George Wood

T: Simon Whitaker

She has been placed over 1m in half of her six starts here and went back-to-back at Ripon (good) and Beverley (good to firm) in May; up in grade when she blew the start 45 days ago but could fare better back in this company; one of three for the yard.

33/1

11th

13

(2)

1st Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:48 Ripon

Penny Ghent

9st 2lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Simon Whitaker

Landed back-to-back handicaps over C&D and at Beverley (8.5f) in May; recorded a good third of seven at Redcar (1m) last time so can't be dismissed.

10/1

3rd

3

(2)

29th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

16:50 Redcar

Penny Ghent

9st 7lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Simon Whitaker

Off the mark when making all at Ripon (1m, good) in May and followed up at Beverley (8.5f, good to firm) next time; faded into eighth of 11 at Doncaster (1m, good to firm) 11 days ago but may get an easier time of things in front this time.

7/1

Form: 63400-

Last run: 188 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Hasn't the best of strike-rates; ran a couple of fair races when in the frame at Ripon and Newcastle last August, but ended the season on a low-key note; best form over further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

14

(5)

16th Oct 2026

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:23 Redcar

Tiberio Force

10st 5lb

J: Miss Sienna Punter

T: Simon Whitaker

3-48 overall with latest win in a Ripon classified (1m2f, soft) in August, which was the same race he won in 2025; opposable on the majority of 2025 and 2026 form, though.

40/1

7th

6

(7)

2nd Oct 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:40 Newcastle (AW)

Tiberio Force

9st 4lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Simon Whitaker

Returned to form with narrow win in Ripon classified (1m2f, soft; front pair clear) in August and also ran well when keeping-on third in Beverley handicap (1m2f, good) ten days ago; should be fine back on Tapeta; each-way claims at least.

6/1

3rd

1

(8)

22nd Sep 2026

Good

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

13:30 Beverley

Tiberio Force

9st 9lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Simon Whitaker

Returned to form with narrow win in Ripon classified (1m2f, soft; front pair clear) three weeks ago; has more on his plate in this handicap but the faster ground won't be a problem and this track also suits.

4/1

11th
7 (6)
Likeashadow

14/1

Form: 0-909P D

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Saddle slipped when pulled up last time; best form on the AW and hasn't been running well enough before that to suggest he can take this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(6)

30th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:10 Pontefract

Likeashadow

9st 0lb

J: Sam James

T: Alan Brown

Saddle slipped when pulled up last time; best form on the AW and hasn't been running well enough before that to suggest he can take this.

14/1

11th

7

(6)

30th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:10 Pontefract

Likeashadow

9st 0lb

J: Sam James

T: Alan Brown

Saddle slipped when pulled up last time; best form on the AW and hasn't been running well enough before that to suggest he can take this.

14/1

10

(6)

24th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

16:20 Beverley

Likeashadow

8st 9lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Alan Brown

Ran well on AW as recently as last November and he's tumbled down the weights since, but for good reason; needs to get back on track.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 389

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish; 17l third over 1m2f at Dundalk in January but seemed to better that last time when 7.5l ninth of 13 on stable debut at Kempton (7f); bit to prove on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

11

(15)

20th Aug 2022

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:10 York

Good Eye

9st 0lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Jessica Long

prominent towards near side, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out

25/1

10th

10

(16)

17th Aug 2022

Good To Firm

0m 5f 89y

Class 2

13:50 York

Good Eye

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: Jessica Long

towards near side, never better than mid-division

14/1

4th

20

(26)

30th Jul 2022

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Goodwood

Good Eye

8st 13lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Jessica Long

raced near side, led against near rail, ridden when groups merged 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon rallied, kept on final 110yds

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £30.40
Straight Forecast £32.73
Tricast £297.04
Trifecta £281.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

First Encounter

POSTDATA:

Top Gun Tina

RP RATINGS:

Mickey Mongoose

Telegraph:

Anificas Beauty

Daily Mail:

Good Eye

The Times:

Spring Festival

The Sun:

Penny Ghent

D Express:

Top Gun Tina

The Star:

First Encounter

Daily Record:

First Encounter

Daily Mirror:

Mickey Mongoose

The Guardian:

Anificas Beauty