September 28 / 16.30 Pontefract

16.30

Good To Soft

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nursery Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
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Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nursery Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 51251 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Confirmed the promise of his Thirsk win when winning a competitive Racing League nursery at Wolverhampton three weeks ago; up 6lb but there's more to come from him and he's a leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(2)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

21:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Beyond Borders

9st 7lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin & Lauren Frost

Currently 2-3 on Tapeta but he's generally struggled since leaving Karl Burke, his only win coming when allowed his own way in a small field last summer (been dropped in lately); the first-time tongue-tie will need to make a difference.

14/1

6th

2

(6)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

15:10 Catterick

Beyond Borders

9st 9lb

J: Sam James

T: Kevin Frost

5-24; hit by the handicapper after making all at Yarmouth (6f, good) last June, and has taken a while to come back down the weights (now 3lb below that winning mark); posted low-key seasonal reappearance at Leicester; cheekpieces introduced seeking more.

25/1

11

(9)

8th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Ripon

Beyond Borders

8st 9lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin Frost

Scored off 3lb higher at Yarmouth (6f, good) last June but he's not come close to that form since and was seventh of nine on Leicester reappearance last month; plenty to prove and four of his five wins were as 2yo; cheekpieces added.

25/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 524 BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 6lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
His two 6f runs have been promising and 7f looked to stretch him at Southwell three weeks ago; improvement required if he's to make light of this opening mark though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(10)

21st Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Kempton (AW)

Invincible Aura

9st 0lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Marco Botti

towards rear, some headway inside final furlong

12/1

7th

10

(10)

21st Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Kempton (AW)

Invincible Aura

9st 0lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Marco Botti

towards rear

12/1

3rd

5

(4)

14th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Invincible Aura

9st 5lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Marco Botti

Hard to crab his record on AW, winning three times and regularly placed; he'll need a good pace back at 7f but that could be on the cards.

100/30

4/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 269

Last run: 68 days

W: 9st 8lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a newcomer's event at Windsor on debut (7-4f) but he hasn't kicked on since, albeit he got squeezed up at a crucial stage at Doncaster on second start; reportedly unsuited by good to soft ground when flopping at Newbury in July, after which he was gelded; clearly thought to be better than we have seen but could probably do with it drying out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

(8)

16th Oct 2023

Soft

0m 6f 12y

Class 4

14:15 Windsor

Free Nation

8st 13lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Charles Hills

Gelded prior to his creditable third at Pontefract (6f, good to soft; nursery debut) last month and may well build on that effort; close second over C&D on debut and looks interesting back here; bred to do better still, being a half-brother to eight winners.

8/1

3rd

3

(3)

28th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Pontefract

Free Nation

9st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Runner-up in a newcomer's event at Windsor on debut (7-4f) but he hasn't kicked on since, albeit he got squeezed up at a crucial stage at Doncaster on second start; reportedly unsuited by good to soft ground when flopping at Newbury in July, after which he was gelded; clearly thought to be better than we have seen but could probably do with it drying out.

4/1

9th

5

(3)

22nd Jul 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:10 Newbury

Free Nation

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charles Hills

Beaten favourite both 6f starts, not coming on for quite promising debut at Windsor, where he ran green, when only sixth at Doncaster; uncertain proposition in first-time hood.

3/1

4/1

Form: 641112 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 7lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
She has made giant strides since handicapping, winning three times in a lower grade before a creditable second at Yarmouth last week (Class 4, soft ground); clear of the third on that occasion so wouldn't be confident the handicapper has her measure just yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(2)

18th Oct 2023

Heavy

0m 5f 8y

Class 4

16:15 Nottingham

Another Gift

9st 3lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Ed Dunlop

Campaigned at 6f since handicapping, completing a hat-trick initially but beaten off this mark the last twice (ran creditably on penultimate start); this drop back in trip needs to eke out more from her.

6/1

4th

4

(2)

28th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Pontefract

Another Gift

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ed Dunlop

She has made giant strides since handicapping, winning three times in a lower grade before a creditable second at Yarmouth last week (Class 4, soft ground); clear of the third on that occasion so wouldn't be confident the handicapper has her measure just yet.

4/1

2nd

9

(4)

21st Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 4

15:20 Yarmouth

Another Gift

9st 1lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Ed Dunlop

Has won all three nurseries and was good value for her near 2l success at Windsor (6f, good to firm; also won on good) as she didn't get the clearest of passages; has another 7lb to deal with in what looks a stronger race and these softer conditions are a worry (based on past form and her action).

6/1

8/1

Form: 707

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 1lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Finished his race on the front foot at Newbury on debut (6f, good to soft); not progressed in two runs since but he faces a more realistic assignment now handicapping and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

(5)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:45 Windsor

Hello Cotai

9st 1lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Jim Boyle

Three wins for Adam West including one on the AW in France; encouraging return/stable debut at Lingfield (1m2f, AW) in April but didn't build on it at Newbury (1m, good) last month; others preferred.

8/1

6th

5

(4)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:08 Newbury

Hello Cotai

9st 5lb

J: Olivia Haines

T: Jim Boyle

Three wins (8.5f/9.5f) for Adam West; ran encouragingly (close third) in 1m2f AW contest at Lingfield on stable/seasonal debut and has possibilities provided he builds on that effort.

13/2

25/1

Form: 635246

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Improved effort when second of nine on his nursery debut at Thirsk (6f, soft) in July; backward steps twice since and now has a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(5)

25th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:18 Redcar

Woodleigh

9st 7lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Roger Fell

Dual turf winner, latest success over C&D last October (good to soft); fair second over 1m at Ripon last time; ideally needs give in the ground.

4/1

2nd

3

(9)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:50 Ripon

Woodleigh

9st 8lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Roger Fell

Scored off this mark at Redcar (1m2f, good to soft) last October; kept on well on his last two starts at Beverley over 8.5f suggesting that a step back up in trip may be beneficial.

7/1

5th

7

(7)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

17:56 Beverley

Woodleigh

9st 3lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Fell

Only 1lb higher than for his Redcar win (1m2f, good to soft) in October but he's finished down the field in all four subsequent runs; wasn't beaten far over C&D 11 days ago but he's an infrequent winner and others are more persuasive.

10/1

Form: 213052 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Had excuses at Goodwood last month and he's been reliable otherwise, winning on fast ground at Hamilton on his second start and beaten under 4l in both nursery runs; drops in class today and shouldn't be underestimated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(9)

15th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

19:30 Newcastle (AW)

Swordplay

9st 5lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

alone against near rail, midfield, weakened over 2f out

14/1

7th

3

(4)

14th Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 5

18:50 Musselburgh

Swordplay

9st 8lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

in rear, hung left after 1f, never on terms

6/1

6th

6

(7)

30th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 5

17:00 Beverley

Swordplay

9st 10lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Winless in 2024 but he got back on track when neck second of eight in 7f Lingfield handicap six days ago; he can go well again off an unchanged mark.

3/1

20/1

Form: 2548

Last run: 46 days

W: 8st 13lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Near miss over C&D on debut but followed that with a heavy defeat at Brighton when odds-on and two runs since haven't been chock-full of promise either; risks attached.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(7)

30th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Soveraine

8st 11lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

Ran well off a higher mark over C&D in June but poorly (behind Nancy Rose) when returned to this track last time; the latest effort doesn't suggest she's about to open her account.

16/1

11th

7

(10)

7th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Soveraine

9st 4lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Charlie Johnston

11-race maiden who dropped away at Chelmsford and finished behind La Sonnambula; goes in cheekpieces but the visor didn't do much for her on last two starts.

10/1

7th

12

(12)

15th Aug 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

20:10 Chelmsford (AW)

Soveraine

9st 1lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Remains winless after ten starts but she's posted some fair efforts on her last few starts and continues to edge down the weights; has been found a weak race this evening and it could be a good opportunity.

13/2

Non-runners

Whoop Whoop

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.60
Straight Forecast £9.90
Tricast £62.03
Trifecta £75.60

Selections

POSTDATA:

Another Gift

SPOTLIGHT:

Beyond Borders

TOPSPEED:

Swordplay

The Times:

Whoop Whoop

Daily Mail:

Invincible Aura

RP RATINGS:

Beyond Borders

The Guardian:

Beyond Borders

Daily Mirror:

Swordplay

D Express:

Whoop Whoop

NEWMARKET:

Another Gift

Telegraph:

Another Gift

The Sun:

Another Gift

The Star:

Another Gift

Daily Record:

Another Gift