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
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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

7th

12

26th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:42 Uttoxeter

Granny B

10st 2lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Michael Mullineaux

Flat winner who is 0-19 over hurdles and hasn't been running well this year; 1lb out of the weights.

33/1

7th

13

15th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:48 Uttoxeter

Granny B

10st 5lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Michael Mullineaux

Flat winner but 0-18 over hurdles and her thee runs this year have offered little encouragement; easy to look elsewhere.

33/1

5th

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

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

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

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