September 26 / 16.20 Pontefract

16.20

Good

Always Trying Racing Syndicate Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 1m 4f 5y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
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Always Trying Racing Syndicate Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 60-631

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Won on debut at Windsor (1m2f, soft) last April and, after four disappointing runs, returned to form with close third at Nottingham (1m6f, good) in May; last month's win at Goodwood (1m3f, good to soft) came in a seller and he'll need to better that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

27th Feb 2025

Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:35 Ludlow

Clever Relation

11st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Two Flat wins, the latest in a seller at Goodwood last August, but well beaten at triple-figure odds this winter on both hurdle starts.

66/1

8th

5

9th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

13:20 Chepstow

Clever Relation

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Won a Flat seller for Hughie Morrison last summer (1m3f, good to soft; RPR 71) but was safely held in Taunton novice hurdle (2m, good) for new stable in December.

33/1

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 263503 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Stays well; cheekpieces and visor both got a positive response initially, including the win at Doncaster (1m2f, soft) in April; first-time blinkers received a more muted reaction on latest outing but she still holds each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(5)

12th Feb 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 5

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Turner Girl

9st 12lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ed Dunlop

Backed out of contention rather quickly the last twice and several others are higher on the list; visor the headgear of choice.

14/1

6th

3

(2)

1st Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Turner Girl

9st 11lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ed Dunlop

Doesn't win very often but is usually there or thereabouts; fourth of six at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) five weeks ago not amongst her best efforts and better will be required.

8/1

6th

3

(2)

1st Feb 2025

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Turner Girl

9st 11lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ed Dunlop

prominent

8/1

Form: 328-00

Last run: 77 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Placed in 7f maidens on first two starts last season but his three appearances since have not gone well; same owner but has left Pat Murphy in Ireland; given an extra half mile but he's not bred for it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

4

(6)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

18:30 Dundalk (AW)

Sectarius

9st 12lb

J: Adam Grant

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won 1m4f AW handicap for Ed Bethell in October 2024; no worthwhile form in three turf starts for Tim Easterby; folded tamely behind Church Mountain on stable debut last month.

20/1

11th

3

(10)

23rd Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:30 Dundalk (AW)

Sectarius

10st 0lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Henry De Bromhead

Won a 1m4f handicap on AW for Ed Bethell in October 2024; not so good in most recent runs, including three turf starts for Tim Easterby; makes stable debut now and perhaps return to AW can help.

20/1

9th

6

(4)

5th Sep 2025

Good

1m 3f 140y

Class 5

17:27 Haydock

Sectarius

10st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Won a 1m4f handicap on AW for Ed Bethell last October; not so good on his last four outings, with new stable for last two, and his record in turf handicaps suggests he is opposable.

25/1

Abandoned

Form: 16-047

Last run: 101 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Sole win came at Carlisle (1m3f, good to soft) last July; best effort since when fair fourth over C&D (good) in May on penultimate start and he's 5lb lower today, which should give him a chance; hooded all starts this term but not today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(5)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Whatacracker

9st 7lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

Acts on this surface but his sole win came over 1m3f at Carlisle in 2023 and mostly campaigned at that trip and further since; major query back at 1m for first time in the best part of three years.

16/1

4

(12)

14th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:15 Leicester

Whatacracker

9st 7lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Mark Walford

Only win was over 1m3f at Carlisle in July 2023 (good to soft); several decent placed efforts this season, and would have a chance on that form, but rather disappointing on last two starts.

20/1

10th

14

(14)

17th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

17:24 Beverley

Whatacracker

9st 4lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Mark Walford

Placed in four of his last six starts including a close call over C&D (soft) in July; on same mark here but he didn't fire at Ayr last time and that took his record to 1-21; tongue-tie worn last time is removed.

16/1

Abandoned

Form: 233005 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Three wins (1m4f/1m5f) on Lingfield AW, last two in January; off 114 days before penultimate start; none of his turf form matches up to this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(5)

19th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 133y

Class 5

14:10 Lingfield

Upepo

8st 12lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

Well backed when winning here on the AW over 1m4f in December but never featured when beating only one rival home 19 days ago; 0-9 on turf and others are preferred.

12/1

7th

3

(5)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

18:10 Lingfield (AW)

Upepo

9st 6lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Well backed when winning over C&D in December off a 2lb lower mark (ridden by Myla Coppins); the odd solid effort since and he can't be ruled out.

5/1

9th

3

(13)

8th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Upepo

9st 5lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Not the most consistent, but has won six times on the AW including five over 1m4f/1m5f at Lingfield; has run well here, but stall 13 isn't ideal even over this trip.

12/1

Abandoned

Form: -74872 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
2023 and 2024 record on soft going is poor (placed on it previously) and he was back to some form when second at Pontefract (1m2f, good to firm) last Thursday on his move away from soft; has plenty of 1m4f form but, again, has not shone over it in the last two campaigns.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(5)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

17:25 Newcastle (AW)

Molinari

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Martin Todhunter

Won twice here last autumn, over 1m4f and over today's trip of 1m2f; hasn't won this season but he has dropped to a good mark and could go well.

6/1

Abandoned

Form: 013

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
25-1 when winning by a neck in six-runner novice at Nottingham (1m2f, good to soft) in July; similar form when third of seven at Kempton (1m4f, AW) on handicap debut four weeks ago; needs to build on that but these are early days and she's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(4)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

16:35 Lingfield (AW)

Ghost Story

10st 1lb

J: Neil Callan

T: John Butler

In good form on soft turf during light campaign last year, most notably when winning over today's trip at Windsor; should be okay back on Polytrack but has fitness to prove after six-month break; market helpful.

6/1

3rd

9

(12)

24th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 5

17:03 Doncaster

Ghost Story

9st 7lb

J: Neil Callan

T: John Butler

Low-mileage 4yo who showed career-best form in last two appearances, winning well at Windsor (1m2f) then solid second at Yarmouth (11.5f), both on soft ground; may be capable of further progress; respected.

11/2

Abandoned

Form: 395637 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden handicap here (1m2f, good) in May; that's his only win from 12 races and his record since is not persuasive, including in a C&D race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(8)

21st Oct 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Yippee

9st 11lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Charlie Johnston

in rear

4/1

3rd

9

(3)

8th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 5

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Yippee

9st 4lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

Won maiden handicap at Pontefract (1m2f, good) in May off 1lb higher mark; inconsistent since and first-time blinkers are now worn; needs more.

16/1

8

29th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

16:50 Southwell (AW)

Yippee

9st 11lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

Abandoned

Form: 7-4575

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Absent over two months before his handicap debut at Hamilton (1m5f, heavy) early in September when he raced freely off the pace and never figured as co-favourite; there was promise, running on, in his previous two races this term and similar when cheekpieces were enlisted at Sandown (1m2f) last week, so he looks worth a crack at 1m4f and is not yet dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(2)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 5

16:45 Ripon

Something

9st 6lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Made all in this race off 2lb higher on good to soft for Jedd O'Keeffe last year; drew a blank in six outings for Stuart Williams but latest 1m4f Doncaster third on good to firm was respectable; sold for 8,000gns since; could make another bold bid in this race.

4/1

3rd

8

(5)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 197y

Class 4

19:15 Doncaster

Something

8st 12lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Stuart Williams

A fair 1m4f scorer for Jedd O'Keeffe; resurgent for his new yard when runner-up at Kempton (1m3f) in February but well held at Yarmouth two weeks ago; the sort to bounce back though.

6/1

8th

8

(8)

11th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 23y

Class 4

15:42 Yarmouth

Something

9st 4lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Stuart Williams

Three front-running wins at 1m4f, on AW and turf (good to soft; effective on good), but he doesn't have to lead, as shown when held up before having a tight passage behind an improver at Kempton (1m3f) in February; rare to see him over 1m2f but he has a good run in him back on turf.

13/2

Form: 446

Last run: 101 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
All his three races were in the mud (1m4f, 1m2f and 1m1f) this April-June; needs to better that form but this is his handicap debut after 101 days off and he's brother to a German 12.5f/1m3f winner; needs a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

13

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 103y

Class 2

17:15 Aintree

Melon

11st 3lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Two juvenile hurdle wins last winter; reappeared with a good third of 11 in handicap at Cheltenham (2m1f, good to soft) in December and bounced back quickly from a lesser effort at Windsor when chasing home the reopposing Rubber Ball at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in February.

16/1

2nd

6

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

14:10 Newbury

Melon

10st 11lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

2-4 in juvenile hurdles (including a win on soft) and reappeared with a good third of 11 in handicap at Cheltenham (2m1f, good to soft) in December; claimer ridden when disappointing at Windsor six weeks ago but could bounce back.

7/1

8th

13

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Windsor

Melon

10st 10lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

2-4 in juvenile hurdles last season (including a win on soft) and he reappeared with a close third of 11 in a handicap at Cheltenham (2m1f, good to soft) last month; open to improvement and has an each-way shout up 2lb.

12/1

Abandoned

Form: 232116 D BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Two near-misses this summer (good/soft) before winning last month at Ffos Las (1m4f, heavy) and Windsor (11.4f, soft); he needs to bounce back, however, from a poor show at Hamilton (1m5f, heavy) three weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

31st Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:15 Wincanton

Elforleather

10st 9lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

took keen hold, soon prominent behind clear leader

15/2

2nd

5

31st Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:15 Wincanton

Elforleather

10st 9lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Juvenile hurdler who failed to build on his Southwell effort when comfortably held at Kelso; just ordinary on the Flat and lacks potential; may find better opportunities in handicaps soon.

15/2

5th

1

1st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 51y

Class 3

16:04 Kelso

Elforleather

11st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Fair on Flat at up to 1m6f for Jack Channon, winning three times, and he shaped nicely when a close second of nine at Southwell (2m, good to soft) on hurdling debut, making the odd mistake but keeping on; should go well.

11/4

Verdict

This looks an open race, without strong claims. Molinari, for instance, put up the most positive last-time-out performance but over the wrong trip (1m2f) and ground (good to firm). Turner Girl (second choice), Something and Elforleather are worth a mention but, on just his fourth start, perhaps this will be decided by improvement from the Nottingham turf winner GHOST STORY.[Richard Austen]

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Turner Girl

SPOTLIGHT:

Ghost Story

Daily Mirror:

Clever Relation

The Guardian:

Molinari

The Times:

Melon

The Sun:

Sectarius

Telegraph:

Upepo

Daily Record:

Ghost Story

The Star:

Clever Relation

POSTDATA:

Turner Girl

NEWMARKET:

Turner Girl

D Express:

Turner Girl

Daily Mail:

Molinari