May 24 / 18.15 Pontefract

18.15

Good

Mr Leigh Sutton Nifty 50th Birthday Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 1m 0f 6y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
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Mr Leigh Sutton Nifty 50th Birthday Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.80
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 00897- D

Last run: 168 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Has won only a 1m maiden but has been placed in a good few handicaps and has slipped to a dangerous mark; can go well fresh.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(4)

22nd Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

18:55 Newcastle (AW)

Million Thanks

9st 12lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won comfortably off 1lb higher on seasonal debut at Pontefract (1m, good) in May but largely disappointing since; safely held when third in first-time visor over C&D one week ago and needs to find extra today.

12/1

3rd

7

(5)

15th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Million Thanks

9st 7lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

pressed winner, no extra over 1f out

13/2

4th

3

(5)

2nd Oct 2024

Good

1m 0f 208y

Class 4

16:05 Musselburgh

Million Thanks

9st 12lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Began season with emphatic handicap win at Pontefract (1m, good) in May but not much has gone to plan for him since and he was well beaten when returned to Pontefract in August; in calmer waters here but it still takes a leap of faith to support him.

11/2

8/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 97-137 D BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
The ground was heavy when a clearcut winner at Thirsk (1m) but she doesn't need those conditions; a greater concern would be her Beverley performance last time and she might be high in the weights now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(7)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 6

20:20 Hamilton

Hostelry

9st 6lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Ruth Carr

Scored five times last season (twice over C&D) but yet to hit top form this term, just a fair fifth of nine to Daring Leader at Pontefract (1m) 12 days ago; needs to take a step forward.

7/1

5th

2

(9)

29th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:30 Pontefract

Hostelry

9st 12lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ruth Carr

Ten-time winner; kept on for never-dangerous fifth, beaten under 3l, when favourite for the latest Beverley race won by Anificas Beauty; closely matched with that rival on the revised terms.

13/2

5th

1

(3)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

20:30 Beverley

Hostelry

9st 9lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Ruth Carr

9yo mare whose C&D form includes one of her five wins last term and a resurgent effort on penultimate start; latest race didn't pan out favourably; runner-up in this contest three years ago; likely player.

9/2

OUR TIP

5/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 322-

Last run: 193 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Clear promise in three novice events on Tapeta at about 1m and doesn't look on too bad a mark for handicap debut; lacking a run might not be ideal, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(10)

7th Jul 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Running Star

9st 6lb

J: David Probert

T: Hugo Palmer

ducked right start, raced wide but in touch with leaders, led after 2f, headed over 3f out, dropped to rear over 1f out, soon struggling

14/1

11th

7

(1)

20th Jun 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Chelmsford (AW)

Running Star

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

prominent, weakened quickly from 2f out

4/1

7/2

Form: -42113 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Had Hostelry behind when winning at Ripon (heavy) and narrowly repelled Harswell Duke over C&D (soft); hat-trick bid came up shy when beaten nearly 5l at Beverley (good to soft) and she wants softer ground ideally.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(3)

19th Jun 2024

Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:05 Ripon

Do I Dream

10st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ben Haslam

dwelt start, in rear

13/2

4th

6

(11)

24th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

18:15 Pontefract

Do I Dream

8st 13lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: Ben Haslam

in rear

7/2

4th

6

(11)

24th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

18:15 Pontefract

Do I Dream

8st 13lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: Ben Haslam

in rear

7/2

Form: -60322 D BF

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
All wins on soft/heavy but he's fine on good; bang there here and at Wetherby on his last two runs and has to enter the reckoning.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(10)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:05 Newcastle (AW)

Harswell Duke

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Liam Bailey

Third over C&D in November and that was off a 4lb higher mark; two lesser efforts have followed and his long losing run looks set to continue.

12/1

5th

9

(1)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

15:30 Nottingham

Harswell Duke

9st 6lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Runner-up at Carlisle (1m1f, soft) in June and now 4lb lower; however, his subsequent form has been patchy and his long losing run continues; the first-time visor needs to spark something.

16/1

33/1

Form: 0090-9

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Down the field in all his runs since leaving the Gosdens and holds no appeal for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(1)

3rd Mar 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

16:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mhajim

9st 4lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

led

7/1

8th

7

(3)

27th Feb 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 5f 66y

Class 6

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Mhajim

9st 6lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

slowly away, took keen hold, towards rear

8/1

5th

5

(6)

12th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

11:55 Southwell (AW)

Mhajim

9st 6lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

dwelt start, in rear, going okay but plenty to do 3f out, hung left but some headway from 2f out, never near to challenge

8/1

Form: -48580 CD

Last run: 45 days

W: 8st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
4lb lower than for last September's C&D success and the following month he was second of 16 here off 9lb higher; had been running on the AW (0-16) before hating the heavy ground at Thirsk behind Hostelry; possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(1)

28th May 2024

Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

14:00 Redcar

Global Spirit

9st 8lb

J: Sam James

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Acts on any ground; still 4lb below his last winning mark but unplaced in all six starts so far this year, including when seventh of 11 at Pontefract (1m, good) on Friday; more needed.

9/1

8th

6

(1)

28th May 2024

Soft

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

14:00 Redcar

Global Spirit

9st 8lb

J: Sam James

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Acts on any ground; still 4lb below his last winning mark but unplaced in all six starts so far this year, including when seventh of 11 at Pontefract (1m, good) on Friday; more needed.

9/1

7th

9

(2)

24th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

18:15 Pontefract

Global Spirit

8st 9lb

J: William Pyle

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

disputed lead, led clearly after 3f, headed under 2f out, lost second inside final furlong, weakened inside final 110yds

20/1

Form: 1490-6 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Has done all her winning in Class 6s and was well behind Do I Dream here a month ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(4)

16th Aug 2025

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 6

16:59 Ripon

My Honey B

9st 4lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Winless in two years and has regressed sharply this season, proving inconsistent in the visor in 0-55 company of late; doesn't make obvious appeal.

20/1

8

(4)

10th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

14:30 Leicester

My Honey B

9st 3lb

J: Sam James

T: Michael & David Easterby

Hasn't won since landing a three-timer in the summer of 2023; has struggled in handicaps this year but stayed on well up in trip when third of 12 in a classified at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) nine days ago; needs to step up back in a handicap.

12/1

5

(12)

1st Aug 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

14:05 Newcastle (AW)

My Honey B

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Only one piece of worthwhile form since completing a turf hat-trick in the summer of 2023 and has never attempted this far before, but she drops into this company for the first time; market support would be interesting.

9/1

12/1

Form: 197742

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Strike-rate remains modest (3-53) but he was in the van throughout when finding one too good at Beverley (1m, good to soft); thereabouts with something similar here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(12)

21st Jul 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Distinction

8st 13lb

J: P J McDonald

T: John Mackie

This has always been his time of year and he's a dual C&D winner who's back on a handy mark; it wouldn't be a shock if he popped up.

16/1

5th

5

(6)

8th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

17:28 Kempton (AW)

Distinction

9st 7lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: John Mackie

A three-time winner (including over C&D) in 2025; yet to hit top form this season though, slowly away when sixth of eight in 1m2f Pontefract handicap last month; needs to take a step forward.

14/1

6th

7

(2)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:48 Pontefract

Distinction

9st 2lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: John Mackie

Kept to a track that suits as his form at Pontefract features wins in 2024/2025 and a resurgent effort (close third) in latest start; faces some unexposed types among his younger rivals but holds a solid chance.

5/1

10th
8 (7)
King Sharja

25/1

Form: 3-9058

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
No wins in seven and best form was when with Richard Hannon; very opposable on this year's efforts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(4)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 6

20:40 Beverley

King Sharja

9st 0lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Solid enough runs in his last three starts, all over 7f; all three turf wins have come here, the latest a year ago off this mark; chance.

7/1

4th

8

(8)

15th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

16:58 Carlisle

King Sharja

9st 1lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ruth Carr

Gained all three turf wins at Beverley but ran well in defeat over C&D (good; other division of race won by The Gay Blade) 17 days ago; still on workable mark after 2lb rise; must be considered.

11/2

50/1

Form: 0450/

Last run: 585 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced but tailed off at 80-1 on handicap debut over C&D in October 2022 and hasn't been seen since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(5)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 6

20:25 Doncaster

Penny Ghent

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Simon Whitaker

In good form, winning at Ripon (1m, good) and Beverley (8.5f, good to firm) before a decent third off this mark (10lb higher than second win) back at Beverley last time (8.5f, good to firm); should go well.

6/1

3rd

1

(9)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

17:08 Beverley

Penny Ghent

10st 0lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Simon Whitaker

On the up since front-running tactics were adopted and comfortably landed handicaps at Ripon and over C&D this month; not dismissed lightly in his hat-trick bid saddling a 5lb penalty.

2/1

1st

6

(1)

27th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

16:15 Beverley

Penny Ghent

8st 13lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Simon Whitaker

Off the mark at the 27th attempt when running away with a Ripon handicap ten days ago (1m, good); well in under a penalty and she is ideally drawn to attack again but it remains to be seen if she can repeat the feat.

5/2

Non-runners

Shimmering Sands

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £47.30
Straight Forecast £43.35
Tricast £116.15
Trifecta £194.60

Selections

Telegraph:

Running Star

POSTDATA:

Harswell Duke

The Times:

Do I Dream

D Express:

Hostelry

SPOTLIGHT:

Global Spirit

TOPSPEED:

Million Thanks

Daily Mail:

Running Star

Daily Record:

Running Star

The Sun:

Do I Dream

The Guardian:

Harswell Duke

Daily Mirror:

Harswell Duke

The Star:

Hostelry

RP RATINGS:

Global Spirit