October 20 / 17.08 Pontefract

17.08

Good

William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 0m 5f 3y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
RTV
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William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 071587 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Below par on last three starts, most recently over 6f here on soft ground; however, his form-figures over this C&D read 11211 (wins on good to soft-good to firm) and he could bounce back with a big run back at 5f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

21

(9)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 York

Reigning Profit

8st 7lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Ruth Carr

5lb lower than last winning mark and came close to taking advantage when finding only Vantheman too strong at Hamilton (5f, good) last week; meets that rival on 5lb better terms; should be involved in the shake-up once more.

12/1

2nd

11

(8)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

17:15 Hamilton

Reigning Profit

8st 12lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

C&D winner who boasts a good record at this time of year; will always be reliant on some luck given his hold-up style, which he hasn't had this year; on a handy mark when things do fall his way again, though, and is one to consider.

6/1

5th

7

(10)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Reigning Profit

9st 1lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Trouble in running on both AW starts last month and same story at Pontefract last time, in the circumstances doing well to finish eighth of 13 from 4lb out of the handicap; he has a good record at Pontefract but could play a leading role off his proper mark today if getting the breaks.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 067078 CD

Last run: 4 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D (good to firm) last August and twice went close over C&D earlier this year (good); versatile ground-wise; he's gone off the boil more recently but perhaps the first-time blinkers (replacing cheekpieces) and the return to this track will prompt a revival; on a reduced mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(7)

22nd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

17:27 Goodwood

Dream Composer

9st 3lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Tony Carroll

Regained the winning thread at Ripon (5f, good) on stable/seasonal debut when 5lb lower and rider took off 7lb; this seems a harder task but he remains well treated on peak form and is a dual winner at Goodwood; enters calculations.

9/2

1st

5

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Ripon

Dream Composer

8st 10lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Ten-time winner down the years for James Evans; drew a blank in 2025 but runner-up twice off marks in the 90s, including reappearance, so well treated starting out for Tony Carroll (same owners); interesting to see what the betting makes of him.

14/1

Form: 320017 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Runner-up over C&D (good) in April and won at Doncaster (5f, soft) last month after a break; not ruled out but inconsistent this year and down the field at Haydock (5f, good to soft) last time; has to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

15

(6)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 York

Lethal Nymph

8st 11lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Paul Midgley

Runner-up in this race in 2024, and he warmed up nicely for another bid with a good fourth in a big field over C&D at the Dante meeting; should be in the thick of things once more.

12/1

4th

20

(15)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:20 York

Lethal Nymph

8st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Paul Midgley

Two wins last autumn and he's better than he's shown at Pontefract and Ascot of late; however, this is tougher and he needs to raise his game.

33/1

10th

6

(5)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Ascot

Lethal Nymph

9st 7lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Paul Midgley

Not handicapped out of things and his latest run at Pontefract, his first start for 12 weeks, was creditable; twice a course winner and likely to make a bold bid.

12/1

Form: 104003

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won 6f AW novice in June and, after an underwhelming start to his handicap career, was back on song when third of 13 at Ayr (6f, soft) three weeks ago; showed pace last time and the drop back to 5f could bear fruit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

(5)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

Azure Zain

9st 2lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Yet to win a handicap and he finished down the field on his seasonal return at Southwell in February; down in the weights but he has more to prove than many of these.

16/1

11th

1

(5)

11th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

16:14 Southwell (AW)

Azure Zain

9st 9lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

Easy win in 6f novice at Wolverhampton last June but he's not matched that form since; finished placed in two turf events in the autumn, but he didn't fire when favourite at Chelmsford in his final run last year; mark continues to fall but he's now 0-7 in handicaps and others are more convincing.

12/1

Form: 867939 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
He continues to edge down the weights and there have been a couple of bright points this year, including when third at Beverley (5f, soft) last month; however, well beaten at Hamilton (5f, soft) since and this 5yo is now 0-15 since winning his first two starts in 2022 and 2023.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(9)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Changeofmind

9st 5lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Up in grade after winning a Class 5 at Pontefract (5f, good to soft) but had dropped to a tempting mark; wouldn't count the 6lb rise against him.

9/1

1st

1

(7)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Changeofmind

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Won his first two starts but beaten 17 times since; down the field at Thirsk on last week's reappearance but drops in grade today and the slower ground should suit.

10/1

14th

12

(14)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:37 Thirsk

Changeofmind

9st 4lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

0-16 since winning his first two races and beat just one home in a division of this race 12 months ago; now 8lb lower but he carries risks after seven months off.

20/1

Form: 30-486

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who reappeared with a promising fourth at Ayr (6f, good to soft) in July but hasn't built on that in two subsequent outings (6f/5f, soft/good); the hood adopted last time is left off today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(4)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:42 Southwell (AW)

Phoenix Of Dreams

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: John & Sean Quinn

Wins have been over 6f on turf and 7f on the AW (Newcastle); has been running well for a while and latest effort back at Newcastle was better than it looks.

5/1

7th

10

(10)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Phoenix Of Dreams

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Record of 2-20 but his last win was over C&D last month and he was only beaten 2l behind Anthropologist here last time; remains feasibly treated on his best form and he has possibilities.

9/1

4th

6

(1)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Phoenix Of Dreams

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Promising third when back up to 7f at Southwell last month then won over this C&D, beating Concert Boy (due to run in the 5:00) by a short head; unexposed at the trip and respected up just 2lb.

5/1

Form: 801225 D BF

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Won on stable debut at Haydock (5f, good) last month and went close on his next two starts (5f, soft); had to wait for a clear run when close fifth of ten at Musselburgh (5f, good) last Monday and he's firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(6)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Arnhem

8st 6lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Jim Goldie

He did well after joining this yard last year and he's on a handy mark; he should get back on track sooner or later but this 10yo has failed to shine on his last three outings, over C&D on last two starts.

25/1

9th

15

(5)

12th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Arnhem

9st 0lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Jim Goldie

Veteran whose form has dipped in last two outings, latest over C&D eight days ago; doesn't look as if he's about to improve his poor strike-rate (long time between drinks).

20/1

8th

8

(11)

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

16:45 Musselburgh

Arnhem

8st 10lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Jim Goldie

Good turf spell in the autumn included a winning yard debut at Haydock (good) and a close second over C&D (soft); has run well on AW since but looks to have his share of weight; trainer runs five and won this in 2024.

14/1

Form: 982484 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Won nursery here last October (6f, soft) on sole previous course visit and he's run some good races in defeat for his new yard this season, including on good ground and when fourth of 13 at Ayr three weeks ago (6f, soft; showed pace); each-way contender now back down in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(5)

20th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 4

17:08 Pontefract

Veydari

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Won nursery here last October (6f, soft) on sole previous course visit and he's run some good races in defeat for his new yard this season, including on good ground and when fourth of 13 at Ayr three weeks ago (6f, soft; showed pace); each-way contender now back down in trip.

8/1

10

(2)

30th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Veydari

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Won a 6f handicap off 3lb lower at Pontefract for Richard Fahey last October (soft); bought for 35,000gns; some fair runs since, notably when second at Chester in July (6f, good; well drawn); each-way chance.

9/1

85

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Veydari

8st 12lb

T: Julie Camacho

Form: 779712 BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
3yo who capitalised on a reduced mark at Hamilton (6f, soft) last month and followed up there (5f, soft) seven days later; also effective elsewhere and could play another leading role if the ground is in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

(2)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

18:15 Hamilton

Stirrup Cup

8st 13lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Soft-ground C&D winner last autumn who's twice been unlucky in big-field Thirsk handicaps switched to cheekpieces this spring; better off with Juan Les Pins than on his comeback and enters calculations.

7/1

3rd

6

(8)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:47 Thirsk

Stirrup Cup

9st 4lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Both his wins have come on soft ground but he ran a cracker on good ground over C&D last week (cheekpieces first time), keeping on well behind an in-form sprinter; 1lb higher today but still a strong contender, especially with some rain in the forecast.

11/2

2nd

10

(3)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:10 Thirsk

Stirrup Cup

9st 8lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Tim Easterby

Both wins have come over 6f on soft ground and remains 7lb higher than for the latest; opposable under the likely conditions and the run may be needed; cheekpieces replace blinkers.

16/1

Form: 454993 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Won here (6f, good) in July and returned to form when third at Leicester (6f, good to soft) a fortnight ago; his chance shouldn't be dismissed today but he doesn't appear to be crying out for this first crack at 5f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(5)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:48 Pontefract

The Good Biscuit

9st 8lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Ruth Carr

Below par last time but consistent otherwise of late and may well rebound, especially back at Pontefract; form here features two wins in 2025 and a close second this spring.

6/1

8th

6

(5)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

18:15 Hamilton

The Good Biscuit

9st 7lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Ruth Carr

Closed out last season with a pair of soft-ground wins and has resumed in good form off his revised mark, latterly when having two of these behind at Chester last weekend; adaptable as regards ground and tactics, and can't be discounted.

8/1

2nd

16

(7)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

The Good Biscuit

9st 4lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Ruth Carr

Ended 2025 in top form and he has returned to action with two solid placed efforts; 2lb ahead of the handicapper and no obvious reason why he wouldn't give it another good shot.

9/1

Form: 172073 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Four wins this year, the latest in July; inconsistent more recently but ran well when third at Newcastle (5f, AW) 11 days ago; capable of having a say if the removal of his usual cheekpieces isn't an issue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(6)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Kings Crown

9st 7lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Two AW wins this winter; never in the hunt at Wetherby last month on his return to turf but he is effective over C&D and seems to handle any ground; not ruled out.

8/1

5th

1

(6)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 5

17:05 Wetherby

Kings Crown

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Two AW wins at Newcastle over the winter; his form has cooled more recently but today's return to Class 5 company will help and the cheekpieces return after being discarded last time.

6/1

6th

6

(7)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

17:48 Southwell (AW)

Kings Crown

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Just 1lb higher than for his 5f win at Newcastle on New Year's Day; three runs since have not been quite so encouraging though and he may prove vulnerable back up at 6f.

14/1

Form: 783379 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Ran well when third over 6f on two consecutive starts in August but he's been down the field on his last two outings (6f) and it remains to be seen whether the drop back to 5f will be a positive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(3)

12th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

18:15 Musselburgh

Cargin Bhui

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: David & Nicola Barron

In good form on the AW this year including two wins over 6f; 0-12 on turf, but has gone close on a couple of occasions and should have no problem with this sharp 7f; player.

4/1

5th

7

(2)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Cargin Bhui

9st 3lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: David & Nicola Barron

Hold-up performer who was successful over 6f at Wolverhampton and Southwell last month; proved himself at 7f when his strong finish only just failed to reel in the thriving Goldmoyne (won three times since) back at Southwell last time; it's likely he's still on a good mark.

3/1

2nd

1

(4)

28th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:21 Southwell (AW)

Cargin Bhui

10st 1lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: David & Nicola Barron

Competitive coming from off the pace over 6f on all five starts this year, winning in clearcut style at Wolverhampton and Southwell on last two occasions; he's now getting close to his career-best form, with more to prove on this third attempt (first on AW) at 7f but he's been finishing well.

2/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £51.80
Straight Forecast £40.34
Tricast £460.38
Trifecta £858.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Arnhem

RP RATINGS:

Stirrup Cup

POSTDATA:

King's Crown

Telegraph:

Azure Zain

The Times:

Veydari

TOPSPEED:

Cargin Bhui

Daily Mail:

Lethal Nymph

The Star:

Stirrup Cup

Daily Record:

King's Crown

THE NORTH:

Arnhem

The Guardian:

Arnhem

D Express:

Arnhem

Daily Mirror:

Arnhem

The Sun:

Arnhem