April 02 / 16.45 Pontefract

16.45

Soft

Always Trying Syndicate Handicap

  • Prize money: £3780
  • 1m 0f 6y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
RTV
View Course
Always Trying Syndicate Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

1st
4 (3)
Wintercrack

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 63652- BF

Last run: 168 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
1m2f maiden winner on soft and very nearly broke her duck in handicaps over 1m2f (soft) at Leicester in October; fair shout if returning from her break in the same form, and assured stamina is no bad thing around here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(7)

11th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 3y

Class 4

16:45 Yarmouth

Wintercrack

9st 6lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Pam Sly

Won over this trip at Pontefract (her only start at 1m) last April and added to her good record in testing conditions when comfortably making all at Nottingham (also heavy, 1m2f) last autumn; probably needs a downpour, which isn't forecast.

33/1

8th

4

(3)

17th Apr 2025

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 4

16:15 Ripon

Wintercrack

9st 7lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Pam Sly

led, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out

8/1

8th

4

(3)

17th Apr 2025

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 4

16:15 Ripon

Wintercrack

9st 7lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: Pam Sly

led, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out

8/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 4567-4 CD

Last run: 84 days

W: 8st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Won this last year off a 3lb higher mark (on soft); didn't run badly on the AW last time given she's never won on those surfaces; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(3)

19th Jun 2024

Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:05 Ripon

Do I Dream

10st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ben Haslam

dwelt start, in rear

13/2

4th

6

(11)

24th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

18:15 Pontefract

Do I Dream

8st 13lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: Ben Haslam

in rear

7/2

4th

6

(11)

24th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

18:15 Pontefract

Do I Dream

8st 13lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: Ben Haslam

in rear

7/2

7/2

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 670-60 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Goes well on soft/heavy; has dropped to a handy mark but hasn't fired for a while now and remains best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(10)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

16:05 Newcastle (AW)

Harswell Duke

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Liam Bailey

Third over C&D in November and that was off a 4lb higher mark; two lesser efforts have followed and his long losing run looks set to continue.

12/1

5th

9

(1)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

15:30 Nottingham

Harswell Duke

9st 6lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Runner-up at Carlisle (1m1f, soft) in June and now 4lb lower; however, his subsequent form has been patchy and his long losing run continues; the first-time visor needs to spark something.

16/1

Form: 1-3335 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Record of 10-75 and surprisingly has never raced here; running well in 1m AW handicaps before having no excuses when only fifth back at Newcastle 20 days ago; has won on soft but tends to steer clear of it these days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(6)

26th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

16:05 Carlisle

Star Shield

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

in rear

8/1

4

(2)

14th Jun 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 5

16:35 Chester

Star Shield

9st 8lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Scored three times at 1m in 2023 and he arrives in very good nick, runner-up in 1m Redcar handicap nine days ago; he must enter calculations off the same mark from his inside berth.

7/2

2nd

2

(10)

5th Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:25 Ripon

Star Shield

9st 8lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

9yo who is 0-7 this year; however, he's run some good races and won three times in 2023; each-way contender off a reduced mark.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 15468- CD

Last run: 194 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Hit the ground running for his new yard this time last year, with a win over C&D the first leg of a hat-trick, and he went in again at Beverley later on; entitled to lose his way a little afterwards but back on his last winning mark he's one for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(6)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

15:23 Pontefract

On The River

9st 4lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Harriet Bethell

Won last summer's Carlisle Bell off this mark (1m, soft); ran well when fifth in the Spring Mile at Doncaster on his return before finding only his stablemate Milteye too strong at Ripon 13 days ago (1m, good to soft; Walsingham back in third); fully effective over C&D but he appears to have a preference for slower than good now and drying conditions aren't sure to suit.

3/1

2nd

5

(4)

16th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Ripon

On The River

9st 8lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Harriet Bethell

The vast majority of his wins have come on slow ground but the going was good when he was second in this race last year; reappeared with promising fifth of 22 in the Spring Mile at Doncaster and could be in the mix.

3/1

5th

21

(11)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Doncaster

On The River

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Harriet Bethell

Suited by ground softer than good; record of 11-52 on turf features a win off 2lb higher in the 2025 Carlisle Bell; respectable second to Prosperitas at Doncaster on last appearance; competitively weighted.

16/1

Form: 1200-6

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Races prominently; 1m2f Chelmsford novice winner for David Simcock last winter and has since gone close in an AW handicap for Tom Clover; not so clever in two runs for this yard, finishing down the field both times.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(7)

6th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

18:30 Southwell (AW)

First Dynasty

9st 6lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Max Young

Scored over C&D in October but he's gone off the boil, coming in last of nine in 7f Wolverhampton handicap 23 days ago; cheekpieces replace blinkers and he has plenty to prove.

33/1

10th

6

(7)

6th Feb 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

18:30 Southwell (AW)

First Dynasty

9st 6lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Max Young

Scored over C&D in October but he's gone off the boil, coming in last of nine in 7f Wolverhampton handicap 23 days ago; cheekpieces replace blinkers and he has plenty to prove.

33/1

8/1

Form: 43408- D

Last run: 193 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Won twice as a 2yo; winless last year in nine appearances but he's come a long way down the weights and conditions are fine.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(6)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:48 Pontefract

Pol Roger

9st 8lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

On a handy mark and may be back in better form with Thirsk reappearance under his belt; however, he's on two-year losing spell and record suggests he'll be more interesting when returned to Ayr.

9/1

8th

2

(1)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 5

15:53 Thirsk

Pol Roger

9st 9lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Lost his way in the autumn; has dropped to a favourable mark as a result (went close off 5lb higher last autumn) but a losing run of 21 doesn't inspire confidence; first start for 140 days.

10/1

8/1

Form: 707-56 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Back on his last winning mark (Ayr last July; 7f, soft) and not without hope of him staging a revival back on turf; others still appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

(1)

6th Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:05 Ayr

Gainsbourg

9st 2lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Daragh Bourke

Brings positives, being a dual course scorer who is back on last winning mark; the negative is that he dropped right away and finished tailed-off last on seasonal debut.

25/1

12th

2

(4)

16th Jun 2025

Soft

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Carlisle

Gainsbourg

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Daragh Bourke

Has two wins on soft but this is his first run on the Flat since last October, and first since pulled up over hurdles in November, and was below his best on all three previous visits to this track; best watched.

14/1

6

26th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:10 Southwell

Gainsbourg

11st 5lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Daragh Bourke

Little to get excited about in three starts over hurdles last year, but he has won six times on the Flat including this summer; could step forward now switched to a handicap.

16/1

20/1

Form: 3665-9 D

Last run: 89 days

W: 9st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent and was poor last time, but needs a good pace to aim at and on a dangerous mark should he get one (likely scenario); 1m on soft is fine.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(1)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

14:35 Redcar

Young Fire

9st 6lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Is on a losing run of 20 but has been runner-up three times this year; has dropped to a career-low mark and holds place claims.

10/1

4

(1)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

14:35 Redcar

Young Fire

9st 6lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Is on a losing run of 20 but has been runner-up three times this year; has dropped to a career-low mark and holds place claims.

10/1

8

(9)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Ayr

Young Fire

9st 4lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: David O’Meara

10yo who has been beaten 19 times since his last win in September 2024 but he's been runner-up a few times this year (including here) and was third at Hamilton (1m, soft) last time; has a career-low mark; each-way chance.

9/1

14/1

Form: 35440-

Last run: 152 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Only win was as a 2yo on heavy ground; mostly consistent last year, finishing fourth of 16 over C&D before a terrible effort on the AW; has a big run in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(1)

2nd Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:33 Thirsk

Phoenix Fire

8st 10lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Heavy-ground winner in 2022 but not won since and mainly disappointing last year; may have needed his reappearance five weeks ago but needs to leave it well behind.

14/1

1

(7)

28th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

16:10 Beverley

Phoenix Fire

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Heavy ground winner in 2022 but not won since and mainly disappointing last year; 11lb lower than at start of last season but might be one to watch this time.

12/1

1

(7)

28th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

16:10 Beverley

Phoenix Fire

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Heavy ground winner in 2022 but not won since and mainly disappointing last year; 11lb lower than at start of last season but might be one to watch this time.

12/1

10/1

Form: 8-6171 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Can race freely but has responded well to blinkers, winning two of his three starts in this headgear (all on AW); up 7lb for the latest but that was quite decisive from off the pace and this could also be run to suit; 1m with cut underfoot is fine.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(12)

2nd Apr 2024

Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

16:45 Pontefract

Perfect Swiss

9st 1lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Can race freely but has responded well to blinkers, winning two of his three starts in this headgear (all on AW); up 7lb for the latest but that was quite decisive from off the pace and this could also be run to suit; 1m with cut underfoot is fine.

10/1

11th

11

(12)

2nd Apr 2024

Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

16:45 Pontefract

Perfect Swiss

9st 1lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

took keen hold, in rear

10/1

1st

8

(10)

18th Mar 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Perfect Swiss

9st 4lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Tends to race too freely but seemed to respond well to first-time blinkers when winning off reduced mark at Southwell (7f) last month; ought to have been suited by the return to 1m when very disappointing joint-favourite here two weeks ago but no surprise if he bounces back quickly.

6/1

25/1

Form: 5/73-9

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Picked up for just 3,000gns after three runs for Richard Hannon (1m-1m2f); failed to show enough on stable/AW/handicap debut last month to trust for this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(8)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

16:45 Carlisle

King Sharja

8st 13lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

2lb well in having only just been denied at Southwell (7f, AW) eight days ago and 1lb lower than when successful at Beverley (7f, good to firm) last July; respected.

7/1

2nd

2

(5)

21st May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

King Sharja

9st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ruth Carr

C&D winner who has dropped 1lb below his last winning mark, but would like to have seen a bit more from him on last month's reappearance back here.

8/1

11th

8

(9)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

14:20 Southwell (AW)

King Sharja

9st 5lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ruth Carr

Scored off 2lb higher over C&D last April and was also on target off today's mark on turf last summer; ran well when fresh last year and has a fighting chance if fully tuned up for this reappearance outing.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.20
Straight Forecast £13.00
Tricast £98.15
Trifecta £124.60

Selections

Telegraph:

On The River

SPOTLIGHT:

Wintercrack

TOPSPEED:

Do I Dream

D Express:

Pol Roger

RP RATINGS:

Perfect Swiss

POSTDATA:

Star Shield

The Times:

Wintercrack

The Guardian:

Wintercrack

THE NORTH:

Do I Dream

Daily Record:

Do I Dream

Daily Mail:

On The River

Daily Mirror:

On The River

The Sun:

On The River

The Star:

On The River