September 28 / 14.10 Pontefract

14.10

Good To Soft

Celebrating The Life Of Eric Armstrong Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 0m 5f 3y
  • Class 6
  • 14 runners
RTV
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Celebrating The Life Of Eric Armstrong Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.80
  • Place: £4.40

Form: 6-4445

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
0-10 when trained by John Quinn and she's developed an aversion to the stalls of late; hooded for stable debut but missing the kick from stall 1 could be problematical around here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Warwick

Granny B

10st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Michael Mullineaux

Flat winner but 0-17 over hurdles and her third two runs ago was remote; opposable.

33/1

8

8th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

14:45 Market Rasen

Granny B

10st 6lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Michael Mullineaux

0-16 over hurdles with limitations well exposed, but last month's 25l third at Hereford can be marked up as she'd tried to make all (not her usual run style) off the back of a 170-day absence; place claims.

12/1

3rd

9

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

14:45 Hereford

Granny B

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Michael Mullineaux

Yet to win in 15 starts over hurdles, having shown some promising placed efforts last summer before her form dipped in the autumn, and she was last seen finishing lame (well held) at Stratford in October; returns on a competitive mark, but with a bit to prove.

16/1

OUR TIP

6/1

  • Place: £4.30

Form: 527083 D

Last run: 68 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
6-22 on AW as opposed to 0-21 on turf but he's regularly been placed on grass, including a close third in this race 12 months ago; mixed bag for David Griffiths this summer but he starts out for his new yard on a good mark and he's one to take seriously with a talented apprentice booked.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(2)

4th Apr 2024

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Blazing Hot

9st 9lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: Michael Herrington

took keen hold, prominent

9/1

2nd

3

(2)

4th Apr 2024

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Blazing Hot

9st 9lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: Michael Herrington

took keen hold, prominent

9/1

8th

2

(5)

22nd Mar 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Blazing Hot

9st 9lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Herrington

Multiple AW winner over this trip but hasn't been at best since last win in January; back on same mark as that success but something to find with Latin Five on latest C&D form.

8/1

16/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 746494 D

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
0-8 for current yard but he retains ability and has eased in the weights; not at his best at Catterick on Saturday though and returning to 5f not enough to tempt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

16

(2)

15th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 160y

Class 6

17:00 Bath

Autumn Flight

9st 0lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Phil McEntee

Two wins in first spell with this trainer but recent runs in second not up to scratch; weakened out of it behind a couple of these at Brighton then finished two places behind Lion Ring at Lingfield.

20/1

8th

16

(2)

15th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 160y

Class 6

17:00 Bath

Autumn Flight

9st 0lb

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Phil McEntee

Two wins in first spell with this trainer but recent runs in second not up to scratch; weakened out of it behind a couple of these at Brighton then finished two places behind Lion Ring at Lingfield.

20/1

4th
11 (2)
Smooch

12/1

Form: 9-3785

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Promise at Doncaster in May and again on her handicap debut in June (both 6f); not so good at Thirsk the last twice but possible dropping back to 5f can spark extra.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(10)

4th Oct 2023

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

16:12 Nottingham

Smooch

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John Quinn

in touch with leaders, pushed along over 2f out, unbalanced and lost ground quickly over 1f out, weakened gradually inside final furlong

4/1

4th

11

(2)

28th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

14:10 Pontefract

Smooch

9st 1lb

J: Gianluca Sanna

T: John Quinn

in touch with leaders, outpaced over 1f out, rallied but drifted right final 110yds, ran on, not pace to challenge

12/1

5th

4

(3)

18th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:05 Thirsk

Smooch

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John Quinn

Down the field in similar event over C&D (good) last month, taking record to 0-5; however, may fare better if the surface is riding slower (peak RPR came on soft).

10/1

7/1

Form: 746524 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
On a lowly mark and he has been threatening at a low level this year, including C&D; whether he can get going quickly enough to end his 33-race losing streak remains to be seen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(6)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

13:47 Nottingham

Yazaman

8st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Four wins last May-July, with no joy since; he finished close up four and five starts back, acts on soft and is edging down the weights, but he was never dangerous in Westgate Warrior's C&D race two weeks ago.

10/1

9

(6)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

13:47 Nottingham

Yazaman

8st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Four wins last May-July, with no joy since; he finished close up four and five starts back, acts on soft and is edging down the weights, but he was never dangerous in Westgate Warrior's C&D race two weeks ago.

10/1

7th

8

(11)

15th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

17:15 Nottingham

Yazaman

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Four wins last May-July, with no joy since but he finished close up three and four starts back (his last two runs at 5f) before two lesser shows over 6f; beaten a head off this mark over C&D (good) in August, so a case can be made.

10/1

Form: 554914 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Sprung a 66-1 surprise at Carlisle this month (5f, good to firm), her second handicap run, and she backed it up with another fair effort at Redcar nine days ago (met some trouble); unlikely she's reached her ceiling yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(8)

3rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

17:00 Hamilton

Opal Storm

9st 0lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Brian Rothwell

Arrived late to win at Southwell (5f) and only faded late on at Doncaster last week (good to firm); remains in form and she is proven on a stiff 5f.

7/1

5th

3

(8)

24th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

13:40 Doncaster

Opal Storm

9st 9lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Brian Rothwell

Produced late when winning a 5f handicap at Southwell three weeks ago; has the ability to defy a 3lb rise and she has run well over C&D in the past; one for the shortlist.

10/1

1st

10

(8)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

18:48 Southwell (AW)

Opal Storm

9st 1lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Brian Rothwell

Yet to shine on AW but she has slipped to a tempting mark and last month's return to action (6f) should have blown away any cobwebs; the return to 5f is in her favour too and she could run a big race at a price.

25/1

25/1

Form: 097620

Last run: 155 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
His sole success came on AW in March 2022 (6f, Tapeta); ran well for second at Catterick in April (5f, soft) but disappointed back there two weeks later; back from a five-month break may not be the time to catch him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(3)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

17:10 Southwell (AW)

Tommytwohoots

8st 10lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: John Mackie

Last run was too bad to be true and had made a positive start for this yard, and he's closely matched with Dr Ali; possibilities.

10/1

12th

15

(17)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:40 Thirsk

Tommytwohoots

9st 2lb

J: P J McDonald

T: John Mackie

On a long losing sequence but he has started life well for John Mackie on last two outings, fourth of 12 in 5f Catterick handicap ten days ago; very much one to consider off the same mark with cheekpieces refitted.

10/1

4th

10

(1)

8th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

13:38 Catterick

Tommytwohoots

9st 2lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: John Mackie

Finished second in this race in 2023 (soft) and 2024 (heavy); good second at Wolverhampton on his stable debut (6f) two weeks ago; well drawn back on turf but his 18 turf runs have seen him steer clear of anything faster than good to soft.

6/1

25/1

Form: 273700

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on recent stable debut at Thirsk (7f, soft) and he needs to turn things around quickly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(3)

21st Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 96y

Class 6

19:50 Beverley

Cubanista

9st 6lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Olly Williams

Sole win from 39 starts was in June 2022 and he's been beaten 13l or more in his last four runs; opposable.

25/1

7th

2

(2)

12th Jun 2025

Good

0m 6f 18y

Class 6

17:08 Nottingham

Cubanista

9st 9lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Olly Williams

Of interest on last year's best but he ended 2024 with a whimper and neither AW run this March suggested he was the answer.

20/1

11th

12

(9)

28th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

19:45 Southwell (AW)

Cubanista

8st 11lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Olly Williams

took keen hold, in rear throughout

16/1

Form: 334-34

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 3yo who has run creditably in both 5f handicaps this year, more recently 2l behind Opal Storm at Carlisle three weeks ago; needs more to win but that's not out of the question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(5)

16th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Dark Crusade

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Eight-race maiden; not far off his best when fifth of 11 at Southwell last month but he'll need to raise his game if he's to break his duck in this field.

7/1

5th

3

(10)

21st Dec 2023

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

16:45 Southwell (AW)

Dark Crusade

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

midfield

10/1

9th

3

(3)

28th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

14:10 Pontefract

Dark Crusade

9st 10lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: Paul Midgley

Lightly raced 3yo who has run creditably in both 5f handicaps this year, more recently 2l behind Opal Storm at Carlisle three weeks ago; needs more to win but that's not out of the question.

6/1

10th
5 (10)
Van Gerwen

7/1

Form: 640189 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Veteran who has regularly run well at this track, most recently springing a 20-1 surprise over C&D in August (made all in a Class 5) off 2lb lower; it won't be easy trying to dominate in this bigger field and others appeal more for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(11)

30th Oct 2023

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Van Gerwen

8st 8lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Paul Midgley

Made all at Pontefract (5f) in August and he's 6lb lower now back on AW; however, this 10yo has failed to fire on grass on his last three outings and he's 0-15 on AW.

20/1

9th

11

(11)

30th Oct 2023

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Van Gerwen

8st 8lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Paul Midgley

Made all at Pontefract (5f) in August and he's 6lb lower now back on AW; however, this 10yo has failed to fire on grass on his last three outings and he's 0-15 on AW.

20/1

12/1

Form: 083308 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Form has dipped in two starts this month but his two efforts in August were respectable; dangerous mark but something to prove again now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(5)

8th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Glory Hallelujah

9st 2lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Nigel Tinkler

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

10/1

11th

12

(13)

28th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

14:10 Pontefract

Glory Hallelujah

8st 13lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Form has dipped in two starts this month but his two efforts in August were respectable; dangerous mark but something to prove again now.

12/1

Form: 09-851 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the tenth attempt when dead-heating in a six-runner handicap at Salisbury seven weeks ago (5f, good); 3lb rise could find her out in this deeper race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

7

(14)

28th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

14:10 Pontefract

Tilia Cordata

9st 5lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Steph Hollinshead

Off the mark at the tenth attempt when dead-heating in a six-runner handicap at Salisbury seven weeks ago (5f, good); 3lb rise could find her out in this deeper race.

11/2

1st

4

(1)

10th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:23 Salisbury

Tilia Cordata

9st 4lb

J: David Probert

T: Steph Hollinshead

towards rear

11/2

5th

4

(6)

12th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 6

19:10 Bath

Tilia Cordata

9st 8lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Steph Hollinshead

5yo who is 0-8 and has been well held in her last three handicaps (5f, good to firm); mark is tumbling and she may have needed the run at Nottingham last month but others are more convincing.

16/1

Form: -67809

Last run: 2 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
This is more suitable than the Class 2 handicap he contested on Tuesday but he's still not easily recommended on 2023 evidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

(1)

20th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 217y

Class 5

14:10 Redcar

Brother Sebastian

8st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Tim Easterby

2yo promise but he's been struggling badly in handicaps this year; dropped 19lb as a consequence but the fitting of cheekpieces isn't enough to tempt today; one of three runners for the yard.

25/1

13th

4

(12)

28th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

14:10 Pontefract

Brother Sebastian

9st 7lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

This is more suitable than the Class 2 handicap he contested on Tuesday but he's still not easily recommended on 2023 evidence.

14/1

9th

13

(13)

26th Sep 2023

Soft

0m 6f 18y

Class 2

15:50 Nottingham

Brother Sebastian

8st 2lb

J: Mia Nicholls

T: Tim Easterby

dwelt start and stumbled start, took keen hold, always behind

33/1

Form: 466-00

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Chance on last year's best but she's only been seen twice this year, eight months apart, and hasn't shown a great deal on either occasion; the addition of an eyeshield isn't enough to tempt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

(4)

28th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

14:10 Pontefract

Secret Equity

8st 9lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

Chance on last year's best but she's only been seen twice this year, eight months apart, and hasn't shown a great deal on either occasion; the addition of an eyeshield isn't enough to tempt.

20/1

12th

12

(2)

7th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 6

16:35 Carlisle

Secret Equity

8st 10lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Julie Camacho

in touch with leaders

25/1

11th

10

(6)

2nd Jan 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:10 Newcastle (AW)

Secret Equity

8st 11lb

J: Graham Lee

T: Julie Camacho

Off the mark when landing a Thirsk handicap (6f, good) in August but she's not gone on from that and was only sixth of nine on Tapeta at Southwell last time; this drop back to 5f should be fine but she's now 1-17 and others look stronger; headgear back on.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £275.20
Straight Forecast £195.56
Tricast £965.50
Trifecta £2520.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Opal Storm

RP RATINGS:

Tilia Cordata

Telegraph:

Dark Crusade

POSTDATA:

Yazaman

The Times:

Opal Storm

D Express:

Opal Storm

The Sun:

Opal Storm

The Star:

Opal Storm

Daily Mirror:

Dark Crusade

The Guardian:

Tilia Cordata

Daily Mail:

Tilia Cordata

Daily Record:

Tilia Cordata