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

3rd

3

(6)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Kings Crown

9st 7lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Two AW wins this winter; never in the hunt at Wetherby last month on his return to turf but he is effective over C&D and seems to handle any ground; not ruled out.

8/1

5th

1

(6)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 5

17:05 Wetherby

Kings Crown

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Two AW wins at Newcastle over the winter; his form has cooled more recently but today's return to Class 5 company will help and the cheekpieces return after being discarded last time.

6/1

6th

6

(7)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

17:48 Southwell (AW)

Kings Crown

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Michael Dods

Just 1lb higher than for his 5f win at Newcastle on New Year's Day; three runs since have not been quite so encouraging though and he may prove vulnerable back up at 6f.

14/1

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

3rd

19

(20)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Trilby

9st 9lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Sam England

Reacted well to first-time cheekpieces when picking up nicely to collar a back-to-form rival (pair clear) at Haydock (5f, soft) on Thursday; 5lb penalty in a deeper race but a bigger factor could be that the ground is unlikely to be as testing this time (has won on good but seems most potent when the mud is flying).

10/1

1st

5

(1)

21st May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:13 Haydock

Trilby

8st 13lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Returned to form when second at Beverley (5f, good) last month; sixth of seven there since (5f, good to soft) but beaten less than 2l and he's a three-time winner here (6f/5f, good-heavy); could be bang there now back here in first-time cheekpieces.

9/4

6th

8

(3)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Beverley

Trilby

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Last win came off a 6lb higher mark over C&D in April 2025 (good); runner-up in that equivalent race 11 days ago (good) and with rain about, could go well again.

7/2

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

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