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

9th

2

(9)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Bolster

9st 10lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Four wins in 2024 included this race on good to soft, with the other three on soft; performed near his best only a couple of times last season, which has been followed by gelding and wind operations; also now wears first-time headgear; some warning signals and he's not slipped far in the weights.

12/1

2

(8)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Bolster

9st 6lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Ended last season with a couple of soft-ground wins, including edging out Peace Man in this; back to near best when fourth off top weight in warm Glorious Goodwood handicap (good) and not disgraced when fifth in Longchamp Group 3 and Goodwood Listed event since; one of two solid contenders for connections.

9/1

2

(8)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Bolster

9st 6lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Ended last season with a couple of soft-ground wins, including edging out Peace Man in this; back to near best when fourth off top weight in warm Glorious Goodwood handicap (good) and not disgraced when fifth in Longchamp Group 3 and Goodwood Listed event since; one of two solid contenders for connections.

9/1

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

5th

3

26th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

16:58 Cartmel

Lightening Company

11st 13lb

J: Mr James Murray

T: Ben Haslam

Has been running on the Flat, winning 1m4f/1m2f handicaps before a respectable effort in a competitive race at York; capable hurdler with winning form here and James Murray takes off a useful 7lb.

6/1

8th

16

(2)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Lightening Company

8st 10lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Form figures of 5075 at this meeting in the last four years; one win a season had previously appeared his quota but he's already exceeded that in 2026, having scored at Pontefract (1m4f/1m2f) on last two outings; that demands some respect but this race is a higher grade.

10/1

1st

2

(2)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:33 Pontefract

Lightening Company

9st 8lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Ben Haslam

Four-time Flat winner, including C&D, who has been all or nothing since scoring over hurdles at Cartmel in July; three AW no-shows followed good second over C&D (soft; 40-1) in October but market support predicted a going day when scoring here (1m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; might not want the ground to get too quick but otherwise a key player under 2lb nudge.

5/4

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

6th

15

(13)

30th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 3

16:15 Doncaster

Baryshnikov

8st 12lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: David & Nicola Barron

slowly away, in rear

25/1

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

1

(1)

14th Apr 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

15:35 Pontefract

Forceful Speed

9st 9lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Raphael E Freire

Record of 5-11 on turf and his last success was at this track (1m4f, good to firm) last June; good second at Newcastle (1m2f) in final run for George Boughey but he returned for new yard with a tailed-off effort at Kempton (1m3f) last month; has bit to prove after that and he needs to bounce back near best; regular tongue-tie removed.

8/1

2nd

1

(1)

14th Apr 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

15:35 Pontefract

Forceful Speed

9st 9lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Raphael E Freire

took keen hold, prominent, led narrowly over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no chance with winner when no extra inside final 110yds

8/1

13th

9

(2)

29th Mar 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:40 Kempton (AW)

Forceful Speed

9st 6lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Raphael E Freire

Regular winner in three campaigns with George Boughey, for whom he ended last June with a win at Pontefract (1m4f) and good second on Newcastle Tapeta (1m2f); unraced on Polytrack; hood joins his now usual tongue-tie and he'll be competitive for new yard (same owners) if starting this term where he left off last season.

16/1

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

8th

8

(8)

25th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:01 Newbury

Thundering

9st 6lb

J: Sam James

T: Kevin Ryan

Two wins from 24 starts; heavy defeats in four of seven races this term but also now placed in three of his last four; more to prove on soft or heavy.

8/1

2nd

5

(8)

3rd Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 4

17:05 Newcastle (AW)

Thundering

9st 10lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

held up in rear, smooth headway on outer over 2f out, led narrowly over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on

7/1

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

6th

3

(12)

17th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

16:52 Southwell (AW)

Lord Protector

10st 3lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Ruth Carr

Disappointed when last in action and remains on a losing streak but competes off new career-low mark here and will be suited by the trip-and-surface combination; hooded for first time; can't be ruled out.

10/1

7th

1

(2)

2nd Aug 2025

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 4

19:00 Hamilton

Lord Protector

10st 2lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Hasn't won for a while but his turn will come and a tactical race didn't suit when third to Spanish Hustle here recently.

7/1

3rd

1

(1)

18th Jul 2025

Good

1m 4f 15y

Class 4

19:45 Hamilton

Lord Protector

10st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ruth Carr

No win since taking a Class 2 at Sandown (1m2f) in July 2023; kicked off 2025 with a pleasing AW effort at Newcastle (runner-up from 4lb higher) but unable to build positively on that since; latest 1m4f Ripon third (Haptics sixth) respectable but the wait for another win may go on.

9/2

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

14th

9

(10)

26th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Euchen Glen

9st 8lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

11yo who has won just once since 2021 but that came at Ayr (1m5f, good to firm) this June; has run well several times this year, including when fourth of 13 at York (1m2f, soft) a fortnight ago, and might not be far away.

20/1

4th

5

(6)

12th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:05 York

Euchen Glen

9st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

11yo now but he's had a few bright moments this season, including second of eight to Kihavah at Ayr (1m5f, good to firm) three weeks ago; his sixth of 20 in the John Smith's Cup over C&D in July shows he's still effective over shorter trips.

20/1

2nd

3

(5)

21st Sep 2024

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 3

17:15 Ayr

Euchen Glen

9st 12lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

in touch with leaders against rail, going okay 3f out, keeping on and went second over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, no match for winner

6/1

+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