May 22 / 19.52 Pontefract

19.52

Good To Soft

Thank You Alexia And Good Luck Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 2m 1f 27y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Thank You Alexia And Good Luck Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 0-2211

Last run: 5 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Improved for a step up in trip and then cheekpieces, getting off the mark at Southwell (1m6f) last month and following up at Ripon on Sunday (2m, good); escapes a penalty for that win and today's further rise in distance could spark additional progress; possible he could do with the ground drying out a bit but he's on the up and should make a bold bid to complete his hat-trick.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(2)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Trojan Soldier

8st 13lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Improved for a step up in trip and then cheekpieces, getting off the mark at Southwell (1m6f) last month and following up at Ripon on Sunday (2m, good); escapes a penalty for that win and today's further rise in distance could spark additional progress; possible he could do with the ground drying out a bit but he's on the up and should make a bold bid to complete his hat-trick.

2/1

1st

3

(1)

17th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:17 Ripon

Trojan Soldier

9st 12lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Runner-up in four of his first five handicaps before finally cracking it in a four-runner race at Southwell (1m6f, AW) in April; that was in first-time cheekpieces (retained) but by just a nose, leading on the post; stays 2m and he's a player if transferring this year's improvement back to turf.

7/2

1st

2

(1)

7th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Trojan Soldier

9st 5lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

0-9, but runner-up in four of his five handicaps including narrow defeats over 1m6f/16.5f here in both starts since returning in January; a player again with cheekpieces given a go.

3/1

2/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 3254-2 BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
0-6 but he has recorded an RPR of 84 or more in each of his last five starts; beaten at odds-on at Doncaster on his reappearance (1m4f, good to firm) four weeks ago; stepping up to a marathon trip could prompt further progress, as could the new cheekpieces; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(7)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Sea Of Kings

9st 9lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

0-6 but he has recorded an RPR of 84 or more in each of his last five starts; beaten at odds-on at Doncaster on his reappearance (1m4f, good to firm) four weeks ago; stepping up to a marathon trip could prompt further progress, as could the new cheekpieces; shortlisted.

2/1

2nd

5

(7)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 197y

Class 4

19:15 Doncaster

Sea Of Kings

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: Harry Eustace

Shaped well without getting his head in front last season, signing off with a good fourth in the Melrose at York in August; this brother to the Irish Oaks winner Sea Of Class has since been gelded and looks a good prospect for 2026; player.

6/4

11

(6)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

14:25 York

Sea Of Kings

8st 13lb

J: James Doyle

T: Harry Eustace

Ended up with plenty to do on handicap debut at Glorious Goodwood (1m3f, good to soft) three weeks ago, having been slowly away (restless in stalls) and hampered at the top of the straight; kept on for an encouraging fifth of 13 and it's unlikely we've seen the best of this brother to Irish Oaks winner Sea Of Class; has run well on good ground; interesting up in trip.

11/2

10/1

Form: 766933

Last run: 5 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Comes here on the back of two third-place finishes but the latest was behind Trojan Soldier and there is no obvious reason why the placings would be reversed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(2)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Newbury

Vaguely Royal

8st 12lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Ian Williams

Third in his last three starts, but may not have achieved that much and remains without a win on the Flat since the end of 2023; others more compelling.

9/1

3rd

5

(4)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Vaguely Royal

8st 10lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Ian Williams

Comes here on the back of two third-place finishes but the latest was behind Trojan Soldier and there is no obvious reason why the placings would be reversed.

10/1

3rd

5

(7)

17th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:17 Ripon

Vaguely Royal

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

There was some restoration of his Flat fortunes when third of five at Southwell (1m6f, AW; stays 2m) on latest start but he's without a win on the Flat since the end of 2023; has another career-low mark but it's hard to know when he will take advantage.

7/1

Form: 72316- C BF

Last run: 211 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Improved as his stamina was drawn out last season, winning over 2m2f here in October (soft); below par on extremely deep ground at Nottingham when last seen 211 days ago but that is not the run to judge him on; unlikely he has reached his ceiling and he's an interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(5)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Action Pact

8st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Improved as his stamina was drawn out last season, winning over 2m2f here in October (soft); below par on extremely deep ground at Nottingham when last seen 211 days ago but that is not the run to judge him on; unlikely he has reached his ceiling and he's an interesting contender.

4/1

6th

5

(7)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

2m 1f 208y

Class 5

15:00 Nottingham

Action Pact

9st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Close third at Chester (2m, good) last month then got off the mark at Pontefract (2m2f, soft) last time; travelled well on that most recent start and this lightly raced 4yo may well have more left in the tank.

5/1

20/1

Form: 72-640 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Quirky and sometimes blows the start; on a reduced mark and retains some ability but he is not the obvious solution to this puzzle.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

28th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 4

18:00 Market Rasen

Wahraan

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Jessica Bedi

Has some useful Flat form and kept on steadily from a long way off the pace to take third on hurdle debut at Wetherby (2m, soft) in November; subsequent Grade 2 defeat is easily overlooked but he has become a very awkward ride, often refusing to settle and/or hanging; comes with risk.

2/1

5th

3

(1)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Wahraan

9st 3lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Jessica Bedi

Quirky and sometimes blows the start; on a reduced mark and retains some ability but he is not the obvious solution to this puzzle.

20/1

10th

15

(6)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:10 Chester

Wahraan

9st 2lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Jessica Bedi

Quirky and sometimes blows the start; well handicapped judged on lots of 2024 form over 1m4f-2m, but he's seldom sparked in the same way since.

33/1

Form: 2855-5 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Ran away with a 2m2f handicap here last April; not quite so good since, including when well held back on the Flat at Ripon last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(6)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Diamand De Vindecy

8st 7lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Robert Bevis

Ran away with a 2m2f handicap here last April; not quite so good since, including when well held back on the Flat at Ripon last month.

14/1

5th

3

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ripon

Diamand De Vindecy

9st 11lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Robert Bevis

Arrives fit from hurdling and some of his best Flat form last year came in April, winning at Pontefract before second over C&D (both good).

7/1

5th

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Diamand De Vindecy

11st 5lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Robert Bevis

Nine-race maiden over hurdles but has placed form and he won six on the Flat; made a bright start over fences in January but didn't fancy it at Huntingdon and refused early; the cheekpieces are off but wouldn't be a surprise to see him run well.

8/1

OUR TIP

12/1

Form: 5769-6

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Made a winning start for this yard in a novice handicap chase at Southwell (2m4f, soft) last November; finished a long way behind Sea Of Kings at Doncaster on his return to the Flat four weeks ago; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(3)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Maghlaak

9st 8lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Mark Walford

Made a winning start for this yard in a novice handicap chase at Southwell (2m4f, soft) last November; finished a long way behind Sea Of Kings at Doncaster on his return to the Flat four weeks ago; others appeal more.

12/1

6th

3

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 197y

Class 4

19:15 Doncaster

Maghlaak

9st 8lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Mark Walford

Ended his time with Adrian Keatley below par last autumn but a winner over fences at Southwell for his new yard before being pulled up at Market Rasen in December; needs to bounce back after a layoff.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.00
Straight Forecast £6.41
Trifecta £22.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Trojan Soldier

The Times:

Sea Of Kings

TOPSPEED:

Maghlaak

Telegraph:

Sea Of Kings

The Guardian:

Sea Of Kings

Daily Mail:

Sea Of Kings

D Express:

Sea Of Kings

RP RATINGS:

Trojan Soldier

POSTDATA:

Trojan Soldier

Daily Mirror:

Trojan Soldier

The Sun:

Trojan Soldier

The Star:

Trojan Soldier

Daily Record:

Trojan Soldier