April 22 / 14.52 Pontefract

14.52

Soft

Riu Hotels And Resorts Handicap

  • Prize money: £13915.8
  • 1m 2f 5y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
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Riu Hotels And Resorts Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 1/100- D

Last run: 283 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Won for the Crisford yard on debut in October 2022 (1m, good) and belatedly followed up last June (1m2f, good); no threat in Group 3/handicap the next twice (1m2f, good to firm) and returns from absence today, but retains potential and it will be no surprise if he goes well on stable debut (same owner).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(4)

13th Jul 2024

Soft

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:20 Ascot

Bolster

9st 3lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

re-shod, led, increased tempo 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out

11/1

4th

2

(6)

29th Jun 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

14:55 Curragh

Bolster

9st 9lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: K R Burke

Lightly-raced but decidedly useful colt; has won both of his starts this season, most notably when landing a valuable handicap at Epsom's Derby meeting; his preference for an ease in the ground though would appear a significant negative.

11/2

1st

4

(3)

31st May 2024

Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:45 Epsom

Bolster

9st 8lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Made all at Pontefract (1m2f, soft) in April on stable/seasonal debut, taking record to 3-5; that was his first run on softer than good and he's been withdrawn twice since due to "unsuitable ground" (good to firm/good); 5lb higher now but dominant last time, lightly raced and may well still do better.

9/2

6/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 0435-3 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won this on last year's reappearance (good to soft); 0-8 since but he reappeared with a good third at Doncaster (1m2f, soft) last month and there's every chance he'll be bang there.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

24th Aug 2024

Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

Lightening Company

12st 0lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Ben Haslam

Quite a useful Flat performer (including on soft); off the mark over hurdles over C&D last month (good) when scoring by a neck; up 5lb; should go well again.

7/4

1st

1

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

17:10 Cartmel

Lightening Company

11st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Useful Flat-racer who was placed in two quite valuable 1m2f handicaps this spring; 0-5 over hurdles but was very respectable third in a soft-ground C&D maiden last summer and ought to be very competitive off his current handicap mark.

3/1

7th

14

(7)

15th May 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

14:15 York

Lightening Company

8st 7lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Won at Pontefract (1m2f) on 2023 reappearance; 0-9 since, closest when second off today's mark in the same Pontefract race (soft) on latest outing; unraced beyond 1m2f on Flat (some minor honours over hurdles) but it now looks worth the attempt.

14/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 3213- D BF

Last run: 213 days

W: 8st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Won at Ffos Las (1m2f, good to soft) last August on her third start and travelled well before weakening into third on handicap debut at Newbury (1m4f, soft) the following month; this very lightly raced filly brings potential to her 4yo campaign, especially now back down to 1m2f; key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(4)

22nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

16:10 York

Esmeray

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Registered a hat-trick in good-ground handicaps at Lingfield (1m2f), Pontefract (1m4f) and Chester (10.3f) this May/June; however, Listed race at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm; 10-1) on latest start saw a heavy defeat.

25/1

10th

4

(7)

20th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

18:35 Newmarket (July)

Esmeray

9st 6lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ralph Beckett

Form figures of 32122111, defying a 6lb rise when completing a handicap hat-trick in cosy fashion at Chester (extended 1m2f) three weeks ago; a fair bit more will be needed now stepping up in class but she can't be discounted as a thriving sort from a leading stable; has raced only on good or softer.

12/1

1st

1

(3)

29th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

17:20 Chester

Esmeray

10st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ralph Beckett

raced in second early, soon led

2/1

Form: 7235-4 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 8st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
8yo whose losing sequence goes back 17 races to May 2022 but his form figures at this course read 32132, all over this trip (including third in this race last year on good to soft); reappeared with an encouraging fourth at Doncaster (1m2f, soft) last month and firmly in calculations now back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(3)

26th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 4

15:05 Carlisle

Baryshnikov

10st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: David & Nicola Barron

slowly away, in rear

14/1

4th

2

(18)

15th Jun 2024

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

13:50 York

Baryshnikov

10st 4lb

J: Miss Alice Keighley

T: David & Nicola Barron

Won at Redcar (1m2f, soft) early last month; tailed off penultimate outing but ran respectably on starts either side; the big negative is that, in a 51-race career, he was below form on his only two attempts beyond 10.4f.

14/1

6th

4

(2)

30th May 2024

Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 3

16:20 Ripon

Baryshnikov

9st 5lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: David & Nicola Barron

C&D winner who went very close in this race last year (good to firm) and won at Redcar (1m2f, soft) early this month; not at the same level on his two runs since and tailed off at Newmarket (1m2f, good to firm) most recently, but perhaps the return to slow ground will prompt a revival.

7/1

Form: 328-93

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Beaten 18 times since winning in 2020 on his second start, and needs to prove he can still get the job done; however, he posted two good placed efforts last autumn (1m2f, heavy/soft) and returned to form with a close third at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) a fortnight ago; may not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(1)

12th Aug 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ayr

Toshizou

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

His only win was back in 2020 in a Tipperary maiden; has threatened a few times since and wasn't beaten all that far at York last time, but others appeal more for the win; tries cheekpieces.

13/2

8th

5

(1)

12th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:30 York

Toshizou

9st 12lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Only win in 23 attempts was at Tipperary on second juvenile start (7f, good to yielding) when with Joseph O'Brien; some fair form since, notably when third over C&D off 4lb higher in May (good); poor run over C&D (good to soft) latest.

10/1

13th

7

(1)

15th Jun 2024

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

13:50 York

Toshizou

9st 13lb

J: Miss Amy Collier

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Acts on soft; beaten all 22 times since winning in 2020 on second start; creditable third in two of six races this season, including in 20-runner C&D race on penultimate outing; case can be made but not the percentage call.

18/1

Form: 51114- CD BF

Last run: 195 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Progressive last season when the tongue-tie went on, landing a hat-trick, and the steady pace was against him when fourth at Leicester in October when last seen; this 4yo is open to further improvement this term and he's 2-2 here (both over this trip, including on good to soft); one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(2)

29th Jun 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 3

16:50 Newcastle (AW)

Forceful Speed

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, headway and led over 1f out, headed final 110yds, no extra towards finish

5/1

1st

3

(1)

23rd Jun 2024

Good

1m 4f 5y

Class 3

16:00 Pontefract

Forceful Speed

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: George Boughey

Probably unsuited by soft ground here on sole outing this season; one other 1m4f attempt resulted in Epsom success last October; interesting contender, being unexposed at the distance.

7/2

6th

4

(5)

22nd Apr 2024

Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

14:52 Pontefract

Forceful Speed

9st 1lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

prominent

4/1

9/1

Form: 70105- D

Last run: 156 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Has modest 2-17 strike-rate and he is inconsistent, but he's just 1lb higher than when winning at Ayr (1m2f, good to soft) last September and reappears with his trainer among the winners; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(6)

27th Jul 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 4

14:35 Newcastle (AW)

Thundering

9st 11lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

held up in rear, smooth headway and in touch with leaders over 2f out, bit short of room against near rail over 1f out, went third inside final furlong, kept on final 110yds

20/1

10th

6

(3)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

17:10 Newmarket (July)

Thundering

9st 6lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

None too consistent and his Ayr win last September was the only time he was placed in 2023; didn't show much on first three outings this year but a third of 12 at Carlisle (1m3f, good to firm; also acts on good to soft) last time was more encouraging; well treated on best form and not ruled out.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 21600- D

Last run: 191 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Last season ended with two disappointing runs (latterly on stable debut), but he reappears having had wind surgery and is just 1lb higher than when winning at Sandown last July; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

15

(16)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

17:20 York

Lord Protector

8st 8lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

awkward start

66/1

5th

1

(4)

9th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 4f 8y

Class 3

16:10 Thirsk

Lord Protector

9st 9lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Some hope in the pedigree for 1m4f, but hasn't lasted home in three previous outings at the trip, markedly so at Ripon latest; back down from class 2 company and on a fine mark, but others more upwardly mobile.

16/1

9th

9

(1)

20th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

15:55 Ripon

Lord Protector

9st 6lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Five-time winner for Ralph Beckett; more miss than hit in his six races for new yard but he was second this season in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar and on AW at Chelmsford next time; Tapeta debut when behind on latest outing; vast majority of his career has been at about 1m2f.

20/1

16/1

Form: 2440-0 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 4lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
11yo who is winless since 2021 and was tailed off on last month's comeback at Doncaster; it's hard to be confident on the back of that but he may have needed the run and he's on a handy mark on last year's best efforts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(13)

7th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

14:25 Haydock

Euchen Glen

8st 13lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Jim Goldie

Veteran who's had a superlative career; versatile regarding distance and tactics; not quite so good this season but Ayr in June still saw him break a losing run and he was a close fourth at Glorious Goodwood; respectable fifth at York 15 days ago; capable of a prominent finish.

16/1

5th

4

(7)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

13:50 York

Euchen Glen

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

held up in rear

11/1

4th

6

(12)

3rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Goodwood

Euchen Glen

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Jim Goldie

Veteran who's had a superlative career, with plenty of good places in recent years before Ayr (1m5f) this June saw him break a losing run; sixth in a top 1m2f race last time but he's long been versatile regarding trip; placed at this meeting for the last three seasons, third in this race for the last two, and he remains in serious each-way calculations.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £44.30
Straight Forecast £44.54
Tricast £91.45
Trifecta £187.60

Selections

The Times:

Esmeray

NEWMARKET:

Forceful Speed

RP RATINGS:

Lightening Company

SPOTLIGHT:

Baryshnikov

Telegraph:

Bolster

The Guardian:

Esmeray

The Sun:

Esmeray

Daily Record:

Esmeray

D Express:

Forceful Speed

Daily Mirror:

Forceful Speed

POSTDATA:

Lightening Company

The Star:

Lightening Company

TOPSPEED:

Baryshnikov

Daily Mail:

Baryshnikov