October 09 / 17.40 Pontefract

17.40

Good To Soft

Season Finale On Monday 23rd October Handicap (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
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Season Finale On Monday 23rd October Handicap (Div II)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.30
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 136204 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Overcame some traffic to win off 4lb lower over C&D (good to soft) in July and has remained in good form since, most recently fourth in Ayr Bronze Cup 17 days ago; ought to be right in the thick of things.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(9)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

15:07 Southwell (AW)

Sir Maxi

9st 9lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Sam England

Last eight starts in classifieds and he didn't always get the breaks when third over C&D 12 days ago; that was one of his better recent efforts and he's firmly in calculations.

13/2

3rd

6

(5)

14th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Sir Maxi

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Sam England

Regressive 8yo; running respectably at this level in 2026 but 2l behind Woodrafff at Newcastle last week; never threatened over 1m2f on Thursday; easy enough to look elsewhere.

8/1

6th

10

(4)

12th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:28 Newcastle (AW)

Sir Maxi

9st 9lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Sam England

Spent most of a long career racing at shy of 1m and didn't look to see it out in one try over this far (C&D); not as good now and can miss the break and/or pull hard, so comes with risks attached.

8/1

2nd
9 (5)
Trilby

33/1

  • Place: £6.50

Form: 2-4646

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Seven-race maiden; not beaten far in either start for current stable (7f/6f) but considered only if much stronger in the betting this time.
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

8/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 487254 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Kept on well for fourth over C&D (good to soft) 11 days ago and is now only 1lb higher than when winning at Beverley (5f, good to soft) in the spring; has a fighting chance if this race is run to suit his usual patient tactics.
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

Form: 870406

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Has similar profile to Ghathanfar in that he he hasn't really fired during a winless season, but ran quite well in the Ayr Bronze Cup last month (sixth); could have a say.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(8)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Catch Cunningham

8st 11lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Michael Herrington

C&D scorer but his recent form is far from encouraging, beating only two in 5f Southwell handicap 17 days ago; hood goes back on; work to do.

14/1

7th

1

(2)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Catch Cunningham

9st 9lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael Herrington

Possibly needed latest run (when back from a break); losing sequence is mounting up but this drop in class may do the trick; interesting at this level off 11lb below last winning mark.

13/2

14

(3)

21st Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

17:07 Southwell (AW)

Catch Cunningham

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Michael Herrington

Needs things to fall just right for him but he is on a lowly mark and some of this summer's form gives him leading claims; wouldn't judge him too harshly on latest Leicester run and he holds each-way claims again.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 850865 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Yet to win during disappointing campaign this season, but has slipped to a very good mark and comes here after a very respectable fifth of 20 in Ayr Bronze Cup (6f, good to soft) last month; suited by this C&D; no surprise if he features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(12)

14th Oct 2024

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 5

14:50 Musselburgh

Ghathanfar

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tracy Waggott

Some good runs in defeat this April-July and he's well treated on that form; however, this 8yo wasn't performing at the same level in the second half of the summer and needs to raise his game back from a two-month break.

12/1

107

20th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Ayr

Ghathanfar

8st 5lb

T: Tracy Waggott

14/1

Form: 122726 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Yet to make any significant progress since Redcar maiden win in the spring, but was runner-up in three of her subsequent five handicaps (once in cheekpieces) and is evidently suited by a stiff 6f; flopped in blinkers last month but can pose a threat if back on song here; no headgear this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(10)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Happier

9st 4lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Martin Keighley

Both handicap wins at 5f, on Southwell AW and turf; creditable yard debut at Lingfield (6f) in December but wasn't seen again after a lesser effort that month and, having only her second 7f run, others have less to prove.

33/1

2

(2)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

16:10 Catterick

Happier

9st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

All three wins have come over 5f including here (good) in August; stays this far and handles soft ground but remains 4lb higher than for that latest success so a bit more is needed; stable also runs Canaria Queen.

11/2

2

(2)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

16:10 Catterick

Happier

9st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

All three wins have come over 5f including here (good) in August; stays this far and handles soft ground but remains 4lb higher than for that latest success so a bit more is needed; stable also runs Canaria Queen.

11/2

Form: 394411 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Signed off in Ireland with 5f maiden win in the spring and belied weakness in the betting when emphatic winner of 6f Ffos Las handicap (good) on last month's stable debut; a 6lb rise does not look excessive and he has the inside draw here; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(1)

7th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 6

16:00 Doncaster

Heartrate

9st 2lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Mark Loughnane

Campaigned on AW since November, winning once; hasn't scored on turf since 2023 but is 8lb lower than last appearance in this sphere; attractively handicapped.

10/1

6th

9

(1)

19th Apr 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Heartrate

9st 1lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Mark Loughnane

midfield

12/1

6th

9

(1)

19th Apr 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Heartrate

9st 1lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Mark Loughnane

midfield

12/1

10/1

Form: 703365 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Placed on consecutive starts in July, latterly when third to Sir Maxi over C&D (good to soft); ought to have been suited by the soft ground when below par on last two appearances, but can't be ruled out from current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(12)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 18y

Class 6

17:18 Nottingham

Run This Way

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Had blinkers on for the first time when winning at Redcar (6f, good; has won on soft) last month and followed up at Thirsk (6f, good) 18 days ago, beating 16 rivals; back up another 7lb but can't be dismissed in her bid for the hat-trick.

15/8

1st

14

(12)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:57 Thirsk

Run This Way

9st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Paul Midgley

C&D winner; off the mark for the year with a comfortable success at Redcar nine days ago (6f, good; first win on ground without soft in the description); that win came in new blinkers which aren't guaranteed to have the same effect a second time; only 3lb higher today, though, so she has obvious claims if in the same form.

5/1

1st

7

(11)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 217y

Class 6

17:50 Redcar

Run This Way

9st 2lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Won three times on good to soft/soft in 2024, the first of them coming over C&D; not at her best for a while now though and she wouldn't want the ground to dry out too much; first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces.

7/1

Form: 159445 D BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Won easily off 1lb lower at Ripon (6f, soft) in July but his subsequent record is rather mixed; has the outside draw here and with the ground likely to dry out, others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(4)

27th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:20 Beverley

Thornaby Pearl

9st 9lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

Both wins on soft but has useful form on good to firm; has yet to race on this course but he's versatile track-wise and comes here in good form after finishing close up at Hamilton (5f, good) recently; thereabouts.

3/1

3rd

2

(1)

15th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

17:30 Hamilton

Thornaby Pearl

9st 9lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

Suited by ground softer than good; five-time winner, most recently off current mark over C&D last August; ran respectably at Doncaster on reappearance; in the mix.

7/1

5th

17

(13)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

17:50 Doncaster

Thornaby Pearl

8st 10lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

Has gone well fresh in the past, as when winning a division of this race in 2024 (soft ground); only 2lb higher than when winning at Hamilton last August (first run after wind surgery); failed to beat a rival in his two subsequent runs; unlikely to find it easy dominating in this field.

25/1

33/1

Form: 60-730 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Seemingly back in good form when close third at Thirsk (6f, soft) in July, her second run after a layoff, but ran poorly on Tapeta last month and the likihood of drying ground reduces her appeal further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(2)

31st Oct 2023

Heavy

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

14:52 Catterick

Jill Rose

9st 8lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Simon Whitaker

prominent

25/1

10th

7

(9)

9th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Pontefract

Jill Rose

9st 5lb

J: Andrew Breslin

T: Simon Whitaker

prominent

33/1

12th

2

(1)

6th Sep 2023

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Jill Rose

9st 12lb

J: Phil Dennis

T: Simon Whitaker

Six-time turf winner who went close off this mark at Thirsk (6f) last time; 0-10 on AW but has plenty of form on Tapeta and she's in the mix.

11/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £109.70
Straight Forecast £89.37
Tricast £621.37
Trifecta £1088.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Heartrate

Daily Mail:

Sir Maxi

POSTDATA:

The Dunkirk Lads

TOPSPEED:

Thornaby Pearl

RP RATINGS:

Heartrate

The Times:

Heartrate

Telegraph:

Heartrate

The Guardian:

Heartrate

D Express:

Heartrate

Daily Mirror:

Heartrate

The Sun:

Heartrate

Daily Record:

Heartrate

The Star:

Sir Maxi