September 26 / 14.00 Pontefract

14.00

Good

Season Finale On 21st October Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 0m 5f 3y
  • Class 6
  • 10 runners
RTV
View Course
Season Finale On 21st October Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 093146 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Down the field more often than not this year (including the last twice) but he won over C&D (good to firm) in July on his sole visit to Pontefract and is worth a second look now back here; versatile ground-wise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(11)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:55 Beverley

Holbache

9st 12lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

Hit hard for his easy Catterick win (6f, good to firm) in May and he has come up well short twice, including C&D latest; handles any ground but others look better treated.

16/1

8th

2

(1)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Beverley

Holbache

9st 9lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

Admirable 8yo who recorded his 11th win when surging clear on his reappearance at Catterick (6f, good to firm) under Tom Kiely-Marshall in May; not in the same form when last of five at Nottingham (6f again) since but he's bagged the inside stall on his first Beverley visit and is capable of bouncing back.

14/1

5th

2

(2)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

20:15 Nottingham

Holbache

9st 9lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

Admirable 8yo who recorded his 11th win when surging clear on his reappearance at Catterick (6f, good to firm) last month; has a 10lb rise to deal with but he still looks on a workable mark and his last four wins have come under Tom Kiely-Marshall; key player.

9/4

7/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 079852 CD

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Had been struggling on turf prior to his good second at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) last Saturday; back on grass today but he won over C&D (soft) in April and rain would aid his cause; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(3)

17th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

19:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Alafdhal

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Phil McEntee

Stable stalwart with 13 wins; not the force of old and contests his first classified; can't discount but likely to find one or two too good.

7/2

6th

3

(5)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 3y

Class 6

17:40 Yarmouth

Alafdhal

11st 0lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: Phil McEntee

Both wins on turf have been on ground slower than good and his last four wins have been on the AW; beat only one rival home at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) 19 days ago and now drops back in trip with promising amateur Henry Callan taking over in the saddle; visor back on.

16/1

5th

4

(5)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

20:43 Newmarket (July)

Alafdhal

8st 11lb

J: Megan Smith

T: Phil McEntee

Solid strike-rate on AW but not so good on turf and latest sixth of 12 at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) will need improving on; nothing wrong with this mark, though.

16/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 262146 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Solid campaign for new yard this season, winning at Beverley (5f, good to firm) last month, and she's also effective on soft going; perhaps unsuited by Catterick last time and could have a big say today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(7)

24th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

16:15 Musselburgh

Opal Storm

9st 9lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Brian Rothwell

Landed her fifth win in a Beverley handicap (5f, good to firm) last month; had excuses subsequently but never showed back there 11 days ago; drops back in class and is on her last winning mark so may well show more.

6/1

9th

12

(10)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

15:45 Beverley

Opal Storm

8st 5lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Brian Rothwell

Won this in 2024 and landed a second C&D win when getting up late to see off nine rivals on good to firm last month; can have a line put through her subsequent effort here as she was repeatedly denied a clear run.

14/1

Form: 229476

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
He has a 2-38 strike-rate and needs to produce more than he's managed the last twice (albeit kicked at the start most recently); however, he's run well over C&D this summer on his two visits to Pontefract (good to firm) and is also effective on soft ground; could be a contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(7)

29th May 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:20 Ripon

Variety Island

9st 4lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Simon Whitaker

Not at his best in two visits to Ripon, including when sixth in the corresponding race 12 months ago; comes here on the back of two good fast-ground runs this year and rain won't faze him.

5/1

9

(7)

29th May 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:20 Ripon

Variety Island

9st 4lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Simon Whitaker

Not at his best in two visits to Ripon, including when sixth in the corresponding race 12 months ago; comes here on the back of two good fast-ground runs this year and rain won't faze him.

5/1

2nd

13

(1)

12th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

13:47 Catterick

Variety Island

8st 11lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Simon Whitaker

led early, soon prominent

9/1

Form: 7-9463 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Has 2-31 strike-rate but he was a fair third at Windsor (5f, good) last Monday and has another career-low mark this afternoon; effective on soft ground early in career; might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(5)

2nd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:45 Newcastle (AW)

Papa Dont Preach

9st 9lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Placed in a classified stakes and a Yarmouth handicap (both over 5f on good to firm) earlier in the summer; not so good last time (6f); all four wins have been on AW, including over C&D; should go well.

6/1

6th

9

(1)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

15:15 Catterick

Papa Dont Preach

9st 4lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Prominent racer; beaten favourite in two 5f handicaps on fast ground this summer but he has still run with credit; stays 6f but still seeking a first win at the trip.

4/1

2nd

1

(4)

2nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 6

17:08 Yarmouth

Papa Dont Preach

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

0-31 on turf but scored off 3lb higher on AW in December and returned from ten-week break with pretty good third in 0-70 grade at Doncaster (5f, good to firm) last month; major player in this grade.

15/8

5/1

Form: 225410 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Disappointing at Carlisle (6f, soft) a fortnight ago but a good season otherwise and made it three wins for the year (5f/6f, soft/good to firm) at Redcar last month; can play leading role if leaving latest start behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

14

(6)

22nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

20:00 Redcar

Mrs Trump

9st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Won a division of this two years ago but she has to step up on her recent efforts, last time finishing behind Drish Samphire.

8/1

5th

5

(4)

7th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

14:10 Thirsk

Mrs Trump

9st 9lb

J: Liam Wright

T: Paul Midgley

Five-time sprint winner including over C&D; her last success was 13 months ago but she showed signs of a revival when a 2l fifth in a Redcar handicap (6f, good to firm) last week; has possibilities if she can build on that.

9/2

5th

4

(2)

29th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

16:20 Redcar

Mrs Trump

9st 5lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Paul Midgley

Two of her five wins have come at Redcar; well handicapped on 2025 best but she's yet to hit top gear this year; others have more pressing claims.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 451575 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Won at Beverley (5f) in July and is just 2lb higher today; however, he hasn't shone on his three starts since and needs to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

(11)

13th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:30 Musselburgh

Refuge

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Posted a second-place finish in May but isn't particularly solid on the rest of his 2025 form; further drop in weights takes him to 10lb below last winning mark.

16/1

6

(1)

1st Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

13:58 Catterick

Refuge

10st 7lb

J: Miss Serena Brotherton

T: Michael & David Easterby

Runner-up at Hamilton (5f, good to firm) in May but he has been below his best in five starts since; needs a return to form with the visor back on for the first time since 2021.

7/1

10th

8

(12)

21st Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

14:43 Hamilton

Refuge

9st 0lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Four-time C&D winner; runner-up here in May but not in anything like the same form since and needs to stage a revival.

16/1

Form: 643006

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Third at Wolverhampton (5f, AW) in July but well beaten on her three runs since and now 0-29; blinkers go on; best to look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(3)

30th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

17:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Pink Stripes

8st 10lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Lisa Williamson

30-race maiden; placed over 5f here in July, but precious little to enthuse about since, including when reluctant to load in this headgear combination at Pontefract (5f, good to soft) last Thursday; better to look elsewhere.

25/1

8th

10

(8)

26th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

14:00 Pontefract

Pink Stripes

8st 9lb

J: William Pyle

T: Lisa Williamson

Third at Wolverhampton (5f, AW) in July but well beaten on her three runs since and now 0-29; blinkers go on; best to look elsewhere.

40/1

6th

8

(2)

9th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Pink Stripes

9st 0lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Lisa Williamson

Exposed 28-race maiden; placed over C&D in July and had an excuse here last time; others still much more appealing for win purposes.

16/1

11/2

Form: 950337 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Placed twice in a row on turf this summer (5f, soft/good) and didn't run badly at Newcastle (5f, AW) last time; he's on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(12)

8th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

13:38 Catterick

Latin Five

9st 4lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Paul Midgley

Has run well over C&D, including when a close third in this race 12 months ago, but the track doesn't always lend itself to his hold-up style; drawn widest and could prove vulnerable, for all he is attractively weighted.

7/1

6th

9

(8)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:42 Newcastle (AW)

Latin Five

9st 1lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Paul Midgley

Pounced to grab Thank The Lord (who, when factoring in riding arrangements, is now 6lb better off) over C&D three starts back; has lacked the pace to stake a claim in two C&D starts since; likely to need everything to fall his way.

25/1

7th

10

(6)

31st Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Newcastle (AW)

Latin Five

8st 5lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Paul Midgley

Last three wins have come over C&D and latest was off 3lb lower last month; never got involved here last time but that was against a pace bias and he should get a good tow into this race; not ruled out.

12/1

50/1

Form: 300980 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
His mark continues to fall but for good reason and he's hard to fancy on the evidence of his last two runs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

(4)

1st Feb 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:55 Newcastle (AW)

The Princes Poet

9st 0lb

J: Harry Burns

T: Ian McInnes

awkward start, in rear

20/1

11th

10

(4)

1st Feb 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:55 Newcastle (AW)

The Princes Poet

9st 0lb

J: Harry Burns

T: Ian McInnes

awkward start, in rear

20/1

4th

12

(6)

23rd Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:06 Newcastle (AW)

The Princes Poet

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian McInnes

squeezed out start, in rear

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.70
Straight Forecast £12.56
Tricast £53.54
Trifecta £81.40

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Alafdhal

POSTDATA:

Holbache

RP RATINGS:

Latin Five

SPOTLIGHT:

Variety Island

The Sun:

Opal Storm

D Express:

Variety Island

The Times:

Alafdhal

The Guardian:

Alafdhal

Daily Mail:

Alafdhal

The Star:

Holbache

Daily Record:

Holbache

Telegraph:

Latin Five

Daily Mirror:

Latin Five