April 11 / 14.00 Pontefract

14.00

Good To Soft

Philip Grundy Rising 70 Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 1m 4f 5y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
RTV
View Course
Philip Grundy Rising 70 Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.20
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 14553-

Last run: 179 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Went close on reappearance last April (his last run at 1m4f) and comfortable winner over 1m6f next time; ran creditably on good to soft in October when last seen; showed promise as 2yo on sole start on soft; claimer ridden for the first time; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

27th May 2023

Good To Firm

1m 6f 44y

Class 4

20:40 Salisbury

Claritudo

9st 3lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

Career-best performance when clearcut winner on seasonal debut at Pontefract (1m4f, soft) last month; didn't run badly off new mark a fortnight ago and will be fine over today's trip, but the quicker ground may not be ideal.

5/1

5th

10

(13)

12th May 2023

Soft

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

16:20 Chester

Claritudo

9st 8lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

Justified favouritism in similar event under Kaiya Fraser at Ponftefract (1m4f, soft) on seasonal debut and that career-best form has received a few boosts since; still unexposed at this trip (was campaigned mainly over further last season) and may well improve again; strong contender.

11/2

1st

8

(3)

11th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 4f 5y

Class 5

14:00 Pontefract

Claritudo

9st 7lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

prominent

9/2

7/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 347-

Last run: 167 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Best of his three runs in novice events came when fourth of seven at Ripon (1m4f, good) in September on second outing; fair effort at 25-1 when he tried 1m6f on soft last time; makes handicap debut and should be open to improvement after only three races.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

6th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Kempton

Big Cheese

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

prominent, struggling after 7th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off

20/1

7th

1

6th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Kempton

Big Cheese

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Stayed well on the Flat when with Ed Bethell, though plied his trade at an ordinary level; ended up tailed off on hurdling debut at Fakenham and he looks up against it.

20/1

5th

1

12th Apr 2024

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

14:00 Fakenham

Big Cheese

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Fair Flat handicapper for Ed Bethell, winning over 1m6f at Catterick in August when blinkered for the first time; no headgear and may eventually need further but an interesting newcomer.

4/1

3rd
1 (9)
Appier

11/4

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 35154- D BF

Last run: 176 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Five wins last year, the latest in September and often apprentice ridden; while turf and AW form are comparable, his only run on softer than good was on debut when tailed off; stable going well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(5)

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Goodwood

Appier

9st 1lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Richard J Bandey

Recorded his tenth win when scoring at Wolverhampton (2m, Tapeta) in January; held his form with creditable efforts in next three starts but his good spell came to a halt at Lingfield last month; has bit to prove again after that heavy defeat and his last turf win was in 2022.

10/1

13th

10

(11)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:05 Lingfield (AW)

Appier

9st 5lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Richard J Bandey

Three course wins have come over 1m4f, but he has won over this sort of trip elsewhere; finished half a length behind St Faz when third of four at Southwell (1m6f, Tapeta) and now 11lb better off; each-way claims.

18/1

3rd

1

(3)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

14:37 Southwell (AW)

Appier

9st 12lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Richard J Bandey

Multiple winner who arrives in form, his success at Wolverhampton (Tapeta) in January followed by solid third at Kempton (also about 2m, Polytrack) a fortnight later; ran well for second over extended 2m2f here three weeks ago and just as effective over this shorter trip; warrants respect.

11/2

Form: 277-35 D

Last run: 74 days

W: 9st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Ran well in first-time blinkers in January but form dipped two weeks later; no worries if it's soft ground; second of 16 over 2m last October off 1lb higher and although he's never raced at Pontefract, a stiff track should suit him when down at this trip; 9yo but case can certainly be made.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

(11)

26th Jul 2023

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

20:40 Sandown

Tralee Hills

9st 4lb

J: Theodore Ladd

T: Simon Hodgson

Hardy veteran who drew a blank in 2022 but got back in front over 1m6f at Bath this April and his other races this season have been at 1m4f; ground softer than good would be preferable; considered each-way if he gets it.

14/1

8th

2

(4)

5th Jul 2023

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

18:20 Epsom

Tralee Hills

10st 9lb

J: Miss Serena Brotherton

T: Simon Hodgson

Good summer in 2021 included a win in this race under Serena Brotherton; drew a blank in 2022 but got back in front at Bath (1m6f) this April when last seen; it looks as if ground softer than good may be needed if he races over as short as 1m4f these days.

7/2

1st

1

(13)

21st Apr 2023

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Bath

Tralee Hills

9st 13lb

J: William Carver

T: Simon Hodgson

His seven wins have all been at middle distances but he has form at up to 2m and is ideally suited on slow ground; last success was in July 2021 but that was off 3lb higher and he returned to turf with an eyecatching fourth at Pontefract (1m4f, soft) ten days ago; kept on well out wide in that race and he looks interesting back up in trip.

8/1

Form: 85050- D

Last run: 151 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
1m4f win at Chester (good to soft; won twice on soft) on stable debut last July but not so good since and has been absent since November; has a competitive mark if back on song, a familiar story in this race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(4)

8th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

15:28 Newcastle (AW)

The Nu Form Way

9st 1lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Stella Barclay

towards rear

66/1

10th

10

(4)

8th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

15:28 Newcastle (AW)

The Nu Form Way

9st 1lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Stella Barclay

towards rear

66/1

11th

5

(5)

10th Oct 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

The Nu Form Way

9st 8lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Stella Barclay

Five wins on good or slower; not fired in three runs back from a long absence but last time at Beverley was a bit more encouraging; interesting to see if there's any market confidence behind him.

20/1

11/2

Form: 4-565

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Showed ability in his qualifying runs; 7-2 for handicap debut in apprentice race at Doncaster (1m2f, heavy) ten days ago, failing to raise his game in fifth of nine but he stuck to his task in that slowly run race and looks bred for this longer distance; could still be capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(8)

12th Oct 2023

Heavy

1m 5f 26y

Class 6

17:40 Ayr

Highlighter

10st 0lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Gemma Tutty

held up in rear, dropped to last over 4f out, soon lost touch, jockey looked down to see if something was amiss 3f out, eased over 2f out

9/2

4th

3

(2)

21st Jun 2023

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 5

19:50 Newcastle (AW)

Highlighter

9st 5lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Gemma Tutty

raced in second, lost position but in touch with leaders from over 6f out, weakened over 2f out

3/1

4th

6

(2)

1st Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 6f 32y

Class 4

19:55 Carlisle

Highlighter

8st 10lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Gemma Tutty

led at steady pace, pushed along over 2f out, soon ridden and faced challenge, headed 1f out, no extra and lost second final 110yds, weakened towards finish

9/2

Form: 20868- D

Last run: 160 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Made a fine start in handicaps last spring/summer but it was a much more mixed picture on last four outings; wore cheekpieces last two; acts on good to soft, withdrawn when it was soft once; well handicapped if back to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(7)

21st Sep 2023

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:24 Chelmsford (AW)

Al Azhar

10st 13lb

J: Mr Alvaro Sainz

T: Marcus Tregoning

Not proven at this track but the best of his six AW runs came on latest attempt when winning a five-runner race on Wolverhampton Tapeta (1m6f) in July; back to that form when close third at Bath (1m6f) on latest outing; big player if that form is reproduced.

9/2

3rd

1

(2)

6th Sep 2023

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:25 Bath

Al Azhar

10st 4lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Marcus Tregoning

Won over this far at Wolverhampton and didn't run too badly back over 1m4f at Brighton when lacking the gears to land a blow; could go well.

13/2

20/1

Form: 61-778 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
All five wins under Aiden Brookes, three last year; no impact on last three outings (latest just 11 days ago) which sees him back to his last winning mark; probably acts on soft and although peak efforts have been at 1m6f, this is a stiff track at which he's had creditable places on both outings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(5)

9th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

16:20 Catterick

Myboymax

9st 7lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Has won twice here (including over C&D); three places behind Cosmic Soul when fifth of eight over C&D (good) last month; no improvement with blinkers reinstated (retained) at Nottingham 13 days ago; needs to show improvement.

12/1

3rd

5

(2)

26th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:07 Nottingham

Myboymax

8st 11lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Catterick regular who was fifth of eight runners there 16 days ago when behind Morandi Second; that race wasn't run to suit and his previous effort there was better; the return of blinkers is no bad thing.

16/1

10/1

Form: 67197- D

Last run: 167 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Sole win (ten starts) was over 1m4f on Kempton AW last August; third on hurdle debut in December but tailed off two months ago on second attempt; needs to be back in peak form but should be fine if the ground has gone very testing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(7)

24th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

20:30 Bath

Tidal Storm

9st 5lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Joe Ponting

Yet to win on turf after eight attempts but he's posted a couple of better efforts of late back on good ground, latest in a first-time visor over C&D having missed the break; needs to find some improvement, however.

10/1

3rd

3

(3)

15th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

16:05 Bath

Tidal Storm

9st 7lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Joe Ponting

Regressive gelding who's with his third trainer and is being tried in another new form of headgear; ran better from the front over 11.6f here a month ago but now has to build on it for a yard that also run Kraken Filly.

10/1

3rd

2

(9)

15th May 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

19:40 Bath

Tidal Storm

9st 10lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Joe Ponting

Poor for two yards last year and has struggled badly in two starts for his current trainer this spring, latterly over C&D; can't be recommended.

25/1

10th
10 (7)
Virtuoso

12/1

Form: 25518-

Last run: 189 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
1-10 for Andrew Balding, the win over 1m6f at Ffos Las (good to soft; probably acts on heavy) last September off 4lb lower; poor in her three runs over hurdles for new yard, trying cheekpieces last time; return to the Flat looks in order and there shouldn't be fitness issues.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(6)

16th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

14:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Virtuoso

9st 9lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Donald McCain

Turf winner over this trip when with Andrew Balding; moderate form over hurdles and last in two starts in this code since joining current trainer; drops 4lb and in grade.

33/1

11th

9

(1)

5th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 5

15:32 Southwell (AW)

Virtuoso

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Donald McCain

disputed lead, led after 1f, headed over 2f out, soon weakened

40/1

8th

15

19th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 5

14:30 Catterick

Virtuoso

10st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Donald McCain

Fair on the Flat; hasn't progressed over hurdles (well beaten on handicap debut at Sedgefield last time); needs to improve for this step up in trip.

16/1

Form: 442-94

Last run: 79 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Fair form over 1m2f on three of five starts for Andrew Balding, with the two lesser displays over 1m4f and 1m3f; did not show enough in her two runs (AW) for new yard in January.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

(1)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:48 Pontefract

Bay Dream Believer

8st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Mark Walford

Showed signs of a return to form at Ripon last time; no certainty to build on that effort, having been inconsistent since a hat-trick last August, but otherwise has become attractively handicapped.

8/1

5th

11

(12)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:17 Ripon

Bay Dream Believer

8st 12lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Mark Walford

Rattled off a three-timer last August (two of which were over C&D); yet to get going this year, down the field at Doncaster and Nottingham; now 2lb lower than her last winning mark but doesn't look ready to take advantage.

16/1

10th

14

(13)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

18:45 Nottingham

Bay Dream Believer

9st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Mark Walford

Reeled off a fast-ground hat-trick over this trip last August; also runner-up off 2lb higher at Redcar (1m2f, good to soft) in the autumn but never involved on Doncaster return three weeks ago.

25/1

Non-runners

Bay Dream Believer

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.10
Straight Forecast £36.05
Tricast £259.07
Trifecta £139.80

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Appier

SPOTLIGHT:

Tralee Hills

RP Ratings:

Al Azhar

Telegraph:

Claritudo

LAMBOURN:

Tidal Storm

The Times:

The Nu Form Way

POSTDATA:

Myboymax

D Express:

Al Azhar

Daily Mail:

Appier

The Sun:

Appier

Daily Record:

Appier

The Guardian:

Claritudo

TOPSPEED:

Tralee Hills

Daily Mirror:

Tralee Hills

The Star:

Tralee Hills