October 09 / 17.40 Pontefract

17.40

Good To Soft

Season Finale On Monday 23rd October Handicap (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
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Season Finale On Monday 23rd October Handicap (Div II)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.30
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 136204 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Overcame some traffic to win off 4lb lower over C&D (good to soft) in July and has remained in good form since, most recently fourth in Ayr Bronze Cup 17 days ago; ought to be right in the thick of things.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(9)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:07 Southwell (AW)

Sir Maxi

9st 9lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Sam England

Last eight starts in classifieds and he didn't always get the breaks when third over C&D 12 days ago; that was one of his better recent efforts and he's firmly in calculations.

13/2

3rd

6

(5)

14th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Sir Maxi

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Sam England

Regressive 8yo; running respectably at this level in 2026 but 2l behind Woodrafff at Newcastle last week; never threatened over 1m2f on Thursday; easy enough to look elsewhere.

8/1

6th

10

(4)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:28 Newcastle (AW)

Sir Maxi

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Sam England

Spent most of a long career racing at shy of 1m and didn't look to see it out in one try over this far (C&D); not as good now and can miss the break and/or pull hard, so comes with risks attached.

8/1

2nd
9 (5)
Trilby

33/1

  • Place: £6.50

Form: 2-4646

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Seven-race maiden; not beaten far in either start for current stable (7f/6f) but considered only if much stronger in the betting this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(5)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Haydock

Trilby

9st 3lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Has 48 runs under his belt but amazingly is better than ever and was winning his third race of the year at Beverley (5f, soft) last week; on a career-high mark now but this course specialist made it 2-3 over C&D in May and further rain will make no difference; no ifs or buts and can put up a good show.

7/2

1st

5

(3)

29th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:45 Beverley

Trilby

9st 4lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

C&D winner last spring who has largely been in good nick since cheekpieces went on in May, winning at Haydock (his fourth win there) and also at Carlisle (5f, good to soft) in June; has never won off a mark this high but he ran well from it at Hamilton last time and soft ground would hold no fears; should be on the premises.

9/2

4th

2

(12)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

20:00 Hamilton

Trilby

9st 9lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Has won twice this year (both when ridden by P J McDonald), at Haydock (5f, soft) in May and Carlisle (5f, good to soft) in June; well beaten at York (6f, good to firm) last time, but that was a 0-105 and he wasn't best drawn; drops back down in grade and should have this run to suit.

10/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 487254 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Kept on well for fourth over C&D (good to soft) 11 days ago and is now only 1lb higher than when winning at Beverley (5f, good to soft) in the spring; has a fighting chance if this race is run to suit his usual patient tactics.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(2)

9th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Pontefract

The Dunkirk Lads

9st 6lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

dwelt start, towards rear

8/1

4th

8

(9)

28th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:40 Pontefract

The Dunkirk Lads

9st 0lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

towards rear

8/1

5th

2

(10)

17th Sep 2023

Soft

0m 5f 143y

Class 5

17:20 Doncaster

The Dunkirk Lads

9st 12lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

5f winner at Beverley in April and he went close at Carlisle 16 days ago (winner was well treated); 2lb rise not ideal but he's fine on soft; additional yardage should suit at this flat track.

6/1

Form: 870406

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Has similar profile to Ghathanfar in that he he hasn't really fired during a winless season, but ran quite well in the Ayr Bronze Cup last month (sixth); could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(8)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Catch Cunningham

8st 11lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Michael Herrington

C&D scorer but his recent form is far from encouraging, beating only two in 5f Southwell handicap 17 days ago; hood goes back on; work to do.

14/1

7th

1

(2)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Catch Cunningham

9st 9lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael Herrington

Possibly needed latest run (when back from a break); losing sequence is mounting up but this drop in class may do the trick; interesting at this level off 11lb below last winning mark.

13/2

14

(3)

21st Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

17:07 Southwell (AW)

Catch Cunningham

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Michael Herrington

Needs things to fall just right for him but he is on a lowly mark and some of this summer's form gives him leading claims; wouldn't judge him too harshly on latest Leicester run and he holds each-way claims again.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 850865 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Yet to win during disappointing campaign this season, but has slipped to a very good mark and comes here after a very respectable fifth of 20 in Ayr Bronze Cup (6f, good to soft) last month; suited by this C&D; no surprise if he features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(12)

14th Oct 2024

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 5

14:50 Musselburgh

Ghathanfar

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tracy Waggott

Some good runs in defeat this April-July and he's well treated on that form; however, this 8yo wasn't performing at the same level in the second half of the summer and needs to raise his game back from a two-month break.

12/1

107

20th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Ayr

Ghathanfar

8st 5lb

T: Tracy Waggott

14/1

Form: 122726 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Yet to make any significant progress since Redcar maiden win in the spring, but was runner-up in three of her subsequent five handicaps (once in cheekpieces) and is evidently suited by a stiff 6f; flopped in blinkers last month but can pose a threat if back on song here; no headgear this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(4)

31st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:10 Ripon

Happier

9st 0lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Martin Keighley

Turned things around with a win at Wolverhampton last month and she followed up in a Ffos Las handicap (5f, good); couldn't quite get the job done in her hat-trick bid at Lingfield (6f, AW), but that was another big run and she's only 1lb higher on this drop back in trip; shortlisted.

11/2

2nd

3

(5)

18th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

17:52 Lingfield (AW)

Happier

9st 9lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Martin Keighley

Returned to winning form in a 0-50 classified event at Wolverhampton (5f, Tapeta) last month and followed up in a 0-65 handicap at Ffos Las (5f, good) six days ago; has a 5lb penalty to carry, but still respected in her current mood and the return to this trip is no problem.

7/2

1st

7

(5)

12th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:07 Ffos Las

Happier

9st 4lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Martin Keighley

Came good for current stable at seventh attempt, with emphatic 5f AW win 12 days ago; will be fine back on turf and recent 5lb rise ought to be manageable; respected.

4/1

Form: 394411 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Signed off in Ireland with 5f maiden win in the spring and belied weakness in the betting when emphatic winner of 6f Ffos Las handicap (good) on last month's stable debut; a 6lb rise does not look excessive and he has the inside draw here; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(1)

7th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 6

16:00 Doncaster

Heartrate

9st 2lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Mark Loughnane

Campaigned on AW since November, winning once; hasn't scored on turf since 2023 but is 8lb lower than last appearance in this sphere; attractively handicapped.

10/1

6th

9

(1)

19th Apr 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Heartrate

9st 1lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Mark Loughnane

midfield

12/1

6th

9

(1)

19th Apr 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Heartrate

9st 1lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Mark Loughnane

midfield

12/1

10/1

Form: 703365 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Placed on consecutive starts in July, latterly when third to Sir Maxi over C&D (good to soft); ought to have been suited by the soft ground when below par on last two appearances, but can't be ruled out from current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(3)

26th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

15:15 Catterick

Run This Way

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

All eight wins have been on good ground on slower; made it 2-2 in blinkers when beating 16 rivals at Thirsk (6f, good) in May and has posted two good efforts since, the most recent coming when third of 16 at Doncaster (6f, good to firm) in June; off since but has to be respected.

11/8

3rd

2

(7)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 6

13:20 Doncaster

Run This Way

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

All eight wins have been on good or slower and last six have been over 6f; made it 2-2 in blinkers when beating 16 rivals at Thirsk last month and she ran well again when fourth in hat-trick bid at Nottingham (6f, good) on Wednesday; should be in the thick of things again and it would be a positive if rain arrives.

7/2

4th

5

(12)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 18y

Class 6

17:18 Nottingham

Run This Way

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Had blinkers on for the first time when winning at Redcar (6f, good; has won on soft) last month and followed up at Thirsk (6f, good) 18 days ago, beating 16 rivals; back up another 7lb but can't be dismissed in her bid for the hat-trick.

15/8

Form: 159445 D BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Won easily off 1lb lower at Ripon (6f, soft) in July but his subsequent record is rather mixed; has the outside draw here and with the ground likely to dry out, others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(8)

31st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:10 Ripon

Thornaby Pearl

9st 11lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Adrian Nicholls

Resurgent 8yo who has won four of his last seven starts, including at Windsor (5f, good to firm) two weeks ago; that was a last-gasp success but he beat a subsequent winner and this return to slower ground is no problem; big player again in his bid for a third course win.

5/1

1st

4

(8)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

17:20 Windsor

Thornaby Pearl

9st 12lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Adrian Nicholls

Usually claimer ridden, to set the pace or race prominently; 8yo who has never raced here but he's been competitive in nearly every race this season, winning three, and went down by just a head and a neck at Newmarket on latest outing; drawn a bit wide but needs major respect.

5/1

3rd

4

(4)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Newmarket (July)

Thornaby Pearl

9st 5lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Adrian Nicholls

Prominent racer who made it three wins in his last five starts when making all at Musselburgh (5f, good) last Friday; it's over three years since he defied a mark this high but he has to be respected in his current mood.

11/4

33/1

Form: 60-730 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Seemingly back in good form when close third at Thirsk (6f, soft) in July, her second run after a layoff, but ran poorly on Tapeta last month and the likihood of drying ground reduces her appeal further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(2)

31st Oct 2023

Heavy

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

14:52 Catterick

Jill Rose

9st 8lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Simon Whitaker

prominent

25/1

10th

7

(9)

9th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Pontefract

Jill Rose

9st 5lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Simon Whitaker

prominent

33/1

12th

2

(1)

6th Sep 2023

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Jill Rose

9st 12lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Simon Whitaker

Six-time turf winner who went close off this mark at Thirsk (6f) last time; 0-10 on AW but has plenty of form on Tapeta and she's in the mix.

11/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £109.70
Straight Forecast £89.37
Tricast £621.37
Trifecta £1088.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Heartrate

Daily Mail:

Sir Maxi

POSTDATA:

The Dunkirk Lads

TOPSPEED:

Thornaby Pearl

RP RATINGS:

Heartrate

The Times:

Heartrate

Telegraph:

Heartrate

The Guardian:

Heartrate

D Express:

Heartrate

Daily Mirror:

Heartrate

The Sun:

Heartrate

Daily Record:

Heartrate

The Star:

Sir Maxi