April 30 / 15.32 Pontefract

15.32

Good

National Horseracing College Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 1m 2f 5y
  • Class 5
  • 7 runners
RTV
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National Horseracing College Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 831122 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Won twice on the AW in March (1m2f, 9.5f) and sound run back on turf when runner-up at Musselburgh earlier this month (1m4f, good); should go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(1)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

13:45 Newcastle (AW)

Its A Love Thing

9st 9lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Sam England

Three-time winner (including over C&D) last spring; failed to beat a rival on his last three outings and has lots to prove after a layoff.

8/1

8th

2

(8)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

17:52 Southwell (AW)

Its A Love Thing

9st 7lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Sam England

7-47 on AW but has struggled for form since finishing third at Newcastle (1m, Class 5; from 12lb higher) last November; failed to beat a rival in each of his last two starts (9.4f/1m4f) so it's difficult to have confidence.

25/1

7/2

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 49-231 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Two decent AW runs in February and off the mark at Yarmouth last time (1m2f, good; fourth has won since); only 2lb higher, stiffer track should suit and an interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(4)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 11y

Class 5

19:28 Goodwood

Show Biz Kid

11st 2lb

J: Mr Ross Birkett

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Easy win at Bath (1m2f, firm) when dropped into a Class 6 in May; not so good since but edging back down the weights and he holds each-way claims in this field.

11/1

5th

4

(4)

30th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 17y

Class 5

17:30 Epsom

Show Biz Kid

9st 8lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Not far off career-best form when coming from the rear for clearcut success at Bath (1m2f, firm) in May but not seen to same effect on either subsequent outing; chance may depend upon others setting a strong pace.

10/1

3rd

2

(3)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 17y

Class 5

18:55 Epsom

Show Biz Kid

9st 10lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

Held up; ran creditably sole start here (2024); latest of his two wins came when dropped into Class 6 at Bath (1m2f, firm) in May, before a Class 4 at Yarmouth saw a lesser effort; should be competitive in this race.

9/1

OUR TIP

15/8

Form: 2311-2 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Won his last two races on the AW last year (1m2f/1m4f) and fair return to action when 4l second at Newcastle three weeks ago (1m2f); just as effective on turf (good second over C&D last September) and handles fast ground; a possible but may find others better treated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

12

(3)

10th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Ayr

Molinari

9st 2lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Martin Todhunter

Winless since 2024 and this veteran has yet to fire in handicaps over C&D and at Newcastle (1m4f) this summer; others appeal more.

40/1

6th

11

(10)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 4f 98y

Class 4

14:05 Newcastle (AW)

Molinari

9st 4lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Martin Todhunter

The last two of his seven wins were at this track, albeit in 2024; placed twice over 1m2f here in a mixed campaign last autumn/winter; well beaten at 25-1 five weeks ago, a run which he may have needed after six months off and he's now back to his last winning mark, but this race looks too hot.

20/1

8th

9

(7)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

19:17 Ayr

Molinari

8st 12lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Martin Todhunter

In fairly good form on AW at Newcastle towards end of last year, making the frame over 1m2f on three of his last four appearances, but has fitness to prove after six-month absence.

25/1

15/2

Form: 3758-6 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Has won five times over C&D (good/good to firm), the latest off this mark in July last year; should be all the better for reappearance run at Redcar; stable going well; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

6th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

14:30 Pontefract

Highwaygrey

10st 9lb

J: Mrs Emily Roberts

T: Tim Easterby

Needs to be delivered late off a strong pace to be at his best and it's not worked out for him this season, including in three races at Pontefract where he has a good record; continues to creep down the weights.

11/2

4th

4

(5)

15th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

15:30 Beverley

Highwaygrey

9st 13lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

9yo who has been a grand servant to the yard with nine wins but he's not so good as he once was; needs to be delivered late off a strong pace to be at his best; now on a career-low mark and others preferred.

10/1

14/1

Form: 44565- D

Last run: 173 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Won four times at up to 1m2f for David O'Meara, latest at Redcar in May 2023 (1m2f, good to firm); yet to win for current yard, but several good runs last term and is well handicapped at present (15lb lower than last winning mark); lacks a recent run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(1)

27th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

15:45 Ayr

Eeetee

10st 1lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: John Wainwright

Won twice over 1m at Redcar last summer (good to firm/good to soft); fair effort on June's belated reappearance but a bit more needed.

20/1

8th

7

(5)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:10 Ripon

Eeetee

9st 5lb

J: Gianluca Sanna

T: John Wainwright

Two wins at Redcar (1m, good to firm/good to soft) last summer, the latest off today's mark; however, it was a tame end to the season and this 8yo needs to get back on track on his reappearance.

50/1

Form: 2216-2 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Hasn't the best of strike-rates on turf; sound reappearance run when second at Beverley (1m4f, good), keeping on well after meeting trouble in running; just as effective over stiff 1m2f; one with a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(1)

14th Aug 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 6

20:20 Thirsk

Prince Achille

9st 10lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Best known for AW exploits and yet was struggling on Tapeta back in the spring; only 1-22 on turf, lacks a run and he's up against in-form 3yos.

14/1

8th

4

(2)

19th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:25 Newcastle (AW)

Prince Achille

9st 8lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

His last five wins have come over C&D, the latest in November; recent efforts no more than respectable, though, and remains 4lb above that last successful mark.

10/1

7th

1

(3)

28th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Prince Achille

9st 10lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

His last five wins have come at Newcastle, but he hasn't been at his best there in last three starts; went close off this mark in November but he needs to get back near that level; all AW wins have been at 1m2f but he has won over this trip on turf.

8/1

Form: 1119-0 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 11lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Landed a hat-trick of wins on soft/heavy ground last September/October; has won on fast ground but well beaten on reappearance and perhaps best watched this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(8)

2nd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 3f 15y

Class 6

19:50 Hamilton

Dandys Angel

8st 12lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: John Wainwright

Trip, track and ground are all fine; no threat at Thirsk last week but that was 1m and this trip is more suitable; each-way shout.

16/1

6th

10

(7)

28th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 6

14:13 Thirsk

Dandys Angel

10st 4lb

J: Mr Freddie Robson

T: John Wainwright

Has done most of her racing and winning over 1m2f; back in better form the last twice but isn't crying out for this drop back in trip, especially on a sharp track.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.70
Straight Forecast £16.03
Trifecta £52.00

Selections

POSTDATA:

Show Biz Kid

Telegraph:

Prince Achille

SPOTLIGHT:

It's A Love Thing

Daily Mail:

Molinari

RP RATINGS:

Highwaygrey

TOPSPEED:

Eeetee

NEWMARKET:

Show Biz Kid

The Times:

Show Biz Kid

The Guardian:

Show Biz Kid

Daily Record:

Show Biz Kid

Daily Mirror:

Prince Achille

D Express:

Molinari

The Star:

Highwaygrey