September 28 / 17.40 Pontefract

17.40

Good To Soft

Always Trying Racing Syndicate Handicap

  • Prize money: £5757.4
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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Always Trying Racing Syndicate Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 052034 D

Last run: 54 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
7f AW winner for Ruth Carr last November; effective on most ground but it was good to firm when beaten a short-head over C&D in June; races off the same mark on his stable debut; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(7)

30th May 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:45 Carlisle

Milbanke

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Paul Midgley

Three-time winner but has beaten one rival in three starts this year and blinkers clearly need to do something.

20/1

1

(7)

30th May 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:45 Carlisle

Milbanke

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Paul Midgley

Three-time winner but has beaten one rival in three starts this year and blinkers clearly need to do something.

20/1

9th

1

(10)

27th Apr 2025

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 5

16:30 Wetherby

Milbanke

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Yet to beat a rival in two runs for new stable this year; dropped 6lb but need to see more before getting involved.

33/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: -29914 CD BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Came from off the pace to win over C&D last month; respectable fourth at Hamilton last time; promise on good to soft and she's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(15)

2nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

15:30 Doncaster

Emily Post

9st 12lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Well treated on old form but last win was two years ago and she's not posed a threat in her three runs this season; now drops back into a Class 6 event but she needs to find some extra spark.

12/1

7th

7

(3)

2nd Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:03 Thirsk

Emily Post

9st 0lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

On a losing run but handicapped accordingly and she ran a creditable race when fourth at Wetherby last month (7f, good to firm); better could be forthcoming.

5/1

8/1

  • Place: £4.30

Form: 549097 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
The handicapper has been in command this year but he's contested some strong races and there have been flickers of promise; drawn wide when in midfield at Chester last time and he's better berthed today; revival could be imminent but it might come on slightly faster ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(1)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 5

20:00 Hamilton

Kings Crown

9st 5lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Michael Dods

Has a better strike-rate on the AW (4-26) than on turf (3-39); 4lb below his last winning mark, but has to put a modest effort at Ayr (5f, good to firm) last month behind him.

14/1

10th

1

(10)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Ayr

Kings Crown

10st 0lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Now 3lb lower than when winning on AW at Newcastle (5f) in January; fair form on turf last twice, latest when 2l fourth at Thirsk (5f, good); has won on fast ground; each-way chance.

6/1

4th

3

(8)

16th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:42 Thirsk

Kings Crown

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

C&D winner who got back on track with third of ten in 5f Pontefract handicap 25 days ago; in the mix again.

7/1

Form: 048725 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Only 1lb higher than for his Beverley win in April (5f, good to soft) but he's been in and out since; he'll be a danger to all if he runs anywhere near this year's best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(2)

9th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Pontefract

The Dunkirk Lads

9st 6lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

dwelt start, towards rear

8/1

4th

8

(9)

28th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:40 Pontefract

The Dunkirk Lads

9st 0lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

towards rear

8/1

5th

2

(10)

17th Sep 2023

Soft

0m 5f 143y

Class 5

17:20 Doncaster

The Dunkirk Lads

9st 12lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

5f winner at Beverley in April and he went close at Carlisle 16 days ago (winner was well treated); 2lb rise not ideal but he's fine on soft; additional yardage should suit at this flat track.

6/1

OUR TIP
5th
3 (6)
Mersea

9/2

Form: 045134 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Made all to win a 6f handicap at Carlisle last month; two solid efforts in defeat since, far from disgraced in a Class 2 here last week; one to take seriously back in calmer waters.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(7)

14th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Newcastle (AW)

Mersea

9st 3lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

50-1 winner over C&D off 11lb higher in February last year; back on a good mark but hasn't been in top form recently.

25/1

7th

3

(2)

4th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Mersea

9st 8lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Grant Tuer

Well short of her best this winter but that is reflected in her mark and she has too much ability to discount now dropping into a 0-60; betting should be revealing.

12/1

11th

8

(10)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:13 Newcastle (AW)

Mersea

9st 0lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Grant Tuer

Backwards since winning at Musselburgh (5f, Class 6, good) in August; kept on from behind to finish fifth of ten at Southwell (5f; 33-1) a fortnight ago; the handicapper continues to give her assistance from a career-low mark.

20/1

6th
9 (8)
Trilby

12/1

Form: 62-464

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Consistent rather than progressive in five runs for George Boughey; 50-1 for his stable debut at Catterick four weeks ago (7f, good) when he ran creditably without suggesting he needed that far; still needs a personal best to defy this mark though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(5)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Haydock

Trilby

9st 3lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Has 48 runs under his belt but amazingly is better than ever and was winning his third race of the year at Beverley (5f, soft) last week; on a career-high mark now but this course specialist made it 2-3 over C&D in May and further rain will make no difference; no ifs or buts and can put up a good show.

7/2

1st

5

(3)

29th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:45 Beverley

Trilby

9st 4lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

C&D winner last spring who has largely been in good nick since cheekpieces went on in May, winning at Haydock (his fourth win there) and also at Carlisle (5f, good to soft) in June; has never won off a mark this high but he ran well from it at Hamilton last time and soft ground would hold no fears; should be on the premises.

9/2

4th

2

(12)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

20:00 Hamilton

Trilby

9st 9lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Has won twice this year (both when ridden by P J McDonald), at Haydock (5f, soft) in May and Carlisle (5f, good to soft) in June; well beaten at York (6f, good to firm) last time, but that was a 0-105 and he wasn't best drawn; drops back down in grade and should have this run to suit.

10/1

Form: 510710 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Three 6f wins on good to soft ground this year, notably when powering home to win the Great St Wilfrid consolation race at Ripon last month; failed to fire at Chester 13 days ago but this C&D winner is the type to bounce back quickly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

6

(11)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 6

13:20 Doncaster

Roundhay Park

9st 7lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

13-time winner who is ideally suited by slow ground; his last success was off 2lb higher at Ripon (6f, soft) last summer but he's been well held in both runs this season; now drops back in trip but this veteran needs a major revival.

16/1

7th

3

(8)

21st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

16:50 Catterick

Roundhay Park

9st 8lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

13-91; won from this mark at Ripon (6f, soft; Ideal Guest third) last July and was runner-up at Pontefract (from 4lb higher) last September; weakened - eighth of nine - on last month's C&D comeback run (66-1) but that's likely to have brought him on.

14/1

8th

8

(4)

22nd Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

15:52 Catterick

Roundhay Park

9st 2lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Course winner who scored at Ripon (6f, soft) last July and is just 2lb higher on this reappearance outing; however, 6f has been this 11yo's optimum trip in recent seasons, and this is his first run since October.

20/1

13/2

Form: 215- D

Last run: 391 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Confirmed the promise of last summer's near miss at Newcastle on debut by easily winning a 6f maiden at Hamilton two weeks later; only a midfield finish under a penalty back at Newcastle when last seen 13 months ago; has been gelded; withdrawn after getting upset in the stalls at Ripon in June (9-1 at the time); subsequent absence slightly disconcerting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(7)

16th Oct 2023

Soft

0m 6f 12y

Class 4

15:45 Windsor

Tribal Hunter

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Unexposed sort who scored over 6f on soft ground as a 2yo; had no luck at Pontefract on seasonal/handicap debut, having been badly hampered after halfway then met traffic issues when trying to recover (eased once clearly beaten); clear possibilities granted better fortune.

100/30

8th

4

(2)

28th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:40 Pontefract

Tribal Hunter

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

took keen hold, prominent, edged left and badly hampered rival under 3f out

13/2

6

(10)

21st Jun 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:10 Ripon

Tribal Hunter

9st 1lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

Confirmed the promise of last summer's near miss at Newcastle on debut by easily winning a 6f maiden at Hamilton two weeks later; only a midfield finish under a penalty back at Newcastle when last seen in September; has been gelded; handicap debut with further improvement on the cards.

10/1

Form: 817-77 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Won three times as a 2yo, two of them over C&D (including on good to soft); well held in two runs back from a ten-month absence and although this is easier than last week's assignment, she has enough to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(4)

31st May 2024

Soft

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

16:40 Carlisle

Shandy Star

9st 11lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Has dropped a long way in the weights and is 5lb lower than when runner-up in a big-field handicap at Newmarket (7f, heavy) last November; needs to better her three efforts since returning in March, though.

16/1

6th

3

(11)

6th May 2024

Soft

0m 7f 96y

Class 5

15:40 Beverley

Shandy Star

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Three wins, the latest over 6f at Pontefract in October 2022 (good to soft); good run when second over 7f at Newmarket in November (7f, heavy) but disappointing since.

25/1

6th

3

(11)

6th May 2024

Soft

0m 7f 96y

Class 5

15:40 Beverley

Shandy Star

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Three wins, the latest over 6f at Pontefract in October 2022 (good to soft); good run when second over 7f at Newmarket in November (7f, heavy) but disappointing since.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.90
Straight Forecast £13.51
Tricast £119.41
Trifecta £148.50

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Emily Post

SPOTLIGHT:

Mersea

The Times:

Milbanke

THE NORTH:

Tribal Hunter

TOPSPEED:

Mersea

POSTDATA:

Mersea

Telegraph:

Mersea

The Guardian:

Emily Post

D Express:

Emily Post

Daily Mirror:

Emily Post

The Sun:

Emily Post

The Star:

Emily Post

Daily Record:

Emily Post

Daily Mail:

Milbanke