May 22 / 20.22 Pontefract

20.22

Good To Soft

WTJ Insurance Brokers 40th Anniversary Handicap

  • Prize money: £3402.1
  • 1m 4f 5y
  • Class 6
  • 7 runners
RTV
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WTJ Insurance Brokers 40th Anniversary Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP
1st
3 (1)
Blondina

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.70

Form: /908-3

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Modest maiden on the Flat in Ireland for Jim Bolger and showed little in three hurdles for current yard this year; last month's return to the Flat was much more encouraging though, keeping on strongly over 1m4f at Musselburgh, and she now has something to build on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(1)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 5y

Class 6

20:22 Pontefract

Blondina

9st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Adam Nicol

Modest maiden on the Flat in Ireland for Jim Bolger and showed little in three hurdles for current yard this year; last month's return to the Flat was much more encouraging though, keeping on strongly over 1m4f at Musselburgh, and she now has something to build on.

7/2

3rd

6

(4)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 6

14:40 Musselburgh

Blondina

8st 12lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Adam Nicol

Modest maiden on the Flat in Ireland for Jim Bolger and has shown little in three hurdles for current yard this year; best watched back on the Flat unless the betting suggests otherwise.

14/1

9th

11

8th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:20 Carlisle

Blondina

10st 2lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Adam Nicol

Modest maiden in Ireland for Jim Bolger; has shown very little over hurdles for her new yard in Musselburgh juvenile and C&D novice this year; hard to warm to.

100/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 82112- CD BF

Last run: 309 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Made all to win the corresponding race 12 months ago off a 6lb lower mark; followed up at Beverley in July and only just denied in his hat-trick bid when last seen 309 days ago; races off the same mark here and there should be more to come this year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(4)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 5y

Class 6

20:22 Pontefract

Dubai Venture

9st 4lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Tina Jackson

Made all to win the corresponding race 12 months ago off a 6lb lower mark; followed up at Beverley in July and only just denied in his hat-trick bid when last seen 309 days ago; races off the same mark here and there should be more to come this year.

9/2

6

(3)

17th Jul 2025

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 6

16:55 Hamilton

Dubai Venture

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Tina Jackson

In better form on his last three starts, following a Beverley second (1m4f, good to firm) with fast ground 1m4f wins when racing prominently at both Pontefract and back at Beverley; up 4lb; shouldn't have a problem with this slightly longer trip; big player.

7/2

1st

5

(2)

4th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 23y

Class 6

20:00 Beverley

Dubai Venture

8st 7lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Tina Jackson

Better since upped to this trip, building on his C&D second when off the mark off 2lb lower six weeks ago (made all); suited by the way things panned out at Pontefract but could yet be capable of better.

5/1

Form: 763273

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
0-17 and he blows hot and cold but there have been some good runs in defeat on AW this year; finished behind Havachoc at Wolverhampton two weeks ago and may do so again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(2)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Apache Eagle

8st 9lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Jessica Bedi

18-race maiden; placed on five occasions, notably when third to Rubellite and Havachoc at Wolverhampton last month (1m6f); each-way chance.

8/1

3rd

6

(8)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 5y

Class 6

20:22 Pontefract

Apache Eagle

8st 10lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Jessica Bedi

0-17 and he blows hot and cold but there have been some good runs in defeat on AW this year; finished behind Havachoc at Wolverhampton two weeks ago and may do so again.

16/1

3rd

5

(3)

8th May 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Apache Eagle

8st 10lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: Jessica Bedi

0-16 but he was third in March and backed that up with another good effort, finishing second of 11 (also Southwell, 1m6f) last month; below that level over 2m at that track three days later but he may be capable of bouncing back returned to this shorter trip.

6/1

8/1

Form: 435533

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
0-22 but he arrives in good form, third in minor handicaps at Beverley and Catterick on his last two starts; more minor money could be forthcoming.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(2)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 197y

Class 6

17:10 Doncaster

Muhib

8st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Olly Williams

Some creditable efforts this spring including when third at Catterick (1m4f, good) last month; hard to rule out another good run but he didn't really fire at Pontefract last time and his overall record is now 0-23.

9/2

4th

7

(6)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 5y

Class 6

20:22 Pontefract

Muhib

8st 10lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Olly Williams

0-22 but he arrives in good form, third in minor handicaps at Beverley and Catterick on his last two starts; more minor money could be forthcoming.

8/1

3rd

14

(13)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 13y

Class 6

16:30 Catterick

Muhib

9st 0lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Olly Williams

Remains a maiden after 21 starts and he's had several opportunities off a similar mark to today's, but he's been running pretty well of late and was third of seven at Beverley last Monday; might have an each-way shout.

8/1

10/1

Form: 231-26

Last run: 31 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Not at her best over hurdles or here (extended 2m5f) last month; drop in trip can help but others appeal more for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(2)

30th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:35 Catterick

Lillistar

8st 11lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Over 6l behind Zephlyn over C&D last May; some fair form since (won over 2m at Wolverhampton in October) but not quite at her best back on turf last twice (over 2m5f and 1m4f); place chance.

8/1

5th

5

(5)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 5y

Class 6

20:22 Pontefract

Lillistar

8st 13lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Not at her best over hurdles or here (extended 2m5f) last month; drop in trip can help but others appeal more for win purposes.

10/1

6th

9

(10)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 139y

Class 6

16:32 Pontefract

Lillistar

8st 13lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Below her best over hurdles 16 days ago but runner-up on the Flat at Newcastle (2m, AW) last month; consistent in this code last August-October and she's shaped as though this test of stamina could suit; on the shortlist.

11/2

8/1

Form: 1-7719 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Took a while to get off the mark but he has won three of his last seven starts (1m4f-1m6f); poor run over 2m at Southwell two weeks ago; capable of bouncing back now dropping in distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(7)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 5y

Class 6

20:22 Pontefract

Hickton

9st 8lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Took a while to get off the mark but he has won three of his last seven starts (1m4f-1m6f); poor run over 2m at Southwell two weeks ago; capable of bouncing back now dropping in distance.

8/1

9th

6

(2)

7th May 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

21:00 Southwell (AW)

Hickton

9st 6lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Struggled on his first two starts this year but returned to form here over 1m6f 12 days ago, gaining his second success at this track; up 4lb but has good claims if seeing out this longer trip.

3/1

1st

4

(5)

25th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Hickton

9st 8lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Won here (1m4f) off 4lb lower last October; reported to have bled from the nose when beaten 34l over C&D last month, but soundly beaten at Catterick (1m4f, good) since; holds claims if he can return to form.

6/1

Form: 8-8685 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 10lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Five wins at up to 9.4f; has form at 1m3f but suspicion there will be stronger stayers in the field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

13

(11)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

17:08 Beverley

Anificas Beauty

9st 0lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Peter Winks

Comes here under a cloud, last of seven in 1m4f handicap at Pontefract eight days ago; hard to warm to.

50/1

7th

8

(3)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 5y

Class 6

20:22 Pontefract

Anificas Beauty

8st 10lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Peter Winks

Five wins at up to 9.4f; has form at 1m3f but suspicion there will be stronger stayers in the field.

33/1

5th

7

(5)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Anificas Beauty

8st 4lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Peter Winks

Unplaced in three classified events in January; has more ability than her rating suggests but she doesn't help herself by pulling and her optimum trip isn't easy to gauge.

33/1

Non-runners

Havachoc

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.60
Straight Forecast £11.59
Tricast £60.59
Trifecta £89.40

Selections

Telegraph:

Havachoc

SPOTLIGHT:

Blondina

POSTDATA:

Hickton

The Times:

Dubai Venture

D Express:

Anificas Beauty

The Guardian:

Havachoc

Daily Mail:

Havachoc

The Sun:

Havachoc

The Star:

Havachoc

Daily Record:

Havachoc

RP RATINGS:

Blondina

Daily Mirror:

Blondina