16.25
SoftInto The Sky Pontefract Marathon Handicap (Round 2 Of The Pontefract Stayers’ Championship 2023)
- Prize money: £3140.4
- 2m 5f 139y
- Class 6
- 11 runners
Runners: 11 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
Abandoned
Form: 43-536
Last run: 77 days
W: 9st 9lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 57
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 8 (9) |
7th May 2026 Standard 2m 0f 102y Class 6 |
8st 13lb |
Made all over hurdles at Catterick in March but pulled up at Hexham next time; bounced back to form returned to the Flat nine days ago, keeping on into fourth over this C&D; each-way chance. |
14/1 |
|
4th 8 (6) |
28th Apr 2026 Standard 2m 0f 102y Class 6 |
9st 3lb |
Returns to the Flat after showing mixed form over hurdles; placed three times in seven visits here including over this trip, but others are more compelling. |
11/1 |
|
2 |
25th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 28y Class 5 |
11st 13lb |
Ridden from the front when gaining a breakthrough win over hurdles in 3m1f Catterick handicap 21 days ago; this fair winning stayer on the Flat can make his presence felt despite a 5lb rise. |
5/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 43354- BF
Last run: 156 days
W: 9st 8lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 56
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
24th May 2025 Good To Firm 1m 6f 44y Class 5 |
9st 2lb |
Has made his name on the AW, winning five times at 2m; arrives here in good nick and he's not had all that many chances on turf. |
7/1 |
|
5 |
24th May 2025 Good To Firm 1m 6f 44y Class 5 |
9st 2lb |
Has made his name on the AW, winning five times at 2m; arrives here in good nick and he's not had all that many chances on turf. |
7/1 |
|
3rd 3 (3) |
8th May 2025 Standard 2m 0f 0y Class 5 |
9st 9lb |
All five wins have been over 2m on AW; couldn't pose a threat at Lingfield last month but the drop back to 1m5f looked against him and he went very close on his Wolverhampton reappearance in March; still looks feasibly treated on that form and has possibilities back at his optimum trip. |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 52-126
Last run: 91 days
W: 9st 8lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 59
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 1 (9) |
13th Oct 2025 Good 1m 7f 217y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Gained most recent success off just 1lb lower in June (over 2m at Catterick); however, subsequent form (Flat/hurdles) is unconvincing. |
12/1 |
|
2 |
24th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 207y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Four-time Flat winner who got off the mark over hurdles at Carlisle (2m3f, good) in April; only 2lb higher today and could plausibly have untapped potential over this longer trip but disappointed on last two outings (hurdles/Flat) and arrives here with a point to prove. |
14/1 |
|
4 (4) |
1st Aug 2025 Standard 2m 0f 56y Class 5 |
9st 5lb |
Front-runner who has made all in all four of his victories on the Flat, including two over C&D; modest over hurdles 12 days ago but respected back here, especially as he may again enjoy the run of the race; new headgear combination. |
11/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 06-286
Last run: 34 days
W: 9st 7lb
7 yo Mare
OR: 55
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 3 (10) |
27th Apr 2024 Standard 2m 0f 120y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
Last win came at 125-1 in a maiden hurdle in November 2021; went close over 1m6f here on his return in January but his two runs since have resulted in a tailed off at Newcastle (2m) and a sixth of 11 back at this track (1m4f); wasn't beaten far last time and now goes back up in trip but others are more convincing; hood reapplied. |
25/1 |
|
7th 3 (10) |
27th Apr 2024 Standard 2m 0f 120y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
Last win came at 125-1 in a maiden hurdle in November 2021; went close over 1m6f here on his return in January but his two runs since have resulted in a tailed off at Newcastle (2m) and a sixth of 11 back at this track (1m4f); wasn't beaten far last time and now goes back up in trip but others are more convincing; hood reapplied. |
25/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3/4/0/
Last run: 1400 days
W: 9st 7lb
13 yo Gelding
OR: 55
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 11 |
6th Jun 2024 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Dual chase and hurdle winner (all 3m good or slower); still throws in an occasional competitive effort but has to shrug off three below-par recent performances. |
16/1 |
|
7 |
26th May 2024 Good 3m 1f 210y Class 5 |
10st 5lb |
in touch with leaders, not fluent 5th, lost touch from 11th, struggling when jumped left 12th |
14/1 |
|
7 |
26th May 2024 Good 3m 1f 210y Class 5 |
10st 5lb |
in touch with leaders, not fluent 5th, lost touch from 11th, struggling when jumped left 12th |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: /33133 BF
Last run: 32 days
W: 9st 6lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 54
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 12 |
15th Feb 2026 3m 3f 60y |
11st 0lb |
In fine form early last year with back-to-back soft-ground wins in a rated chase at this venue and a Fairyhouse novice chase (3m2f); moderate fifth over hurdles on seasonal return; next two chase starts were uninspiring; kept on well for second over 2m6f here five weeks ago; this trip could help to bring out the best in him. |
9/1 |
|
2 |
4th Nov 2025 Soft 3m 0f 0y |
11st 11lb |
In fine form over fences when last seen early this year with back to back wins at Punchestown (22.5f, soft) and a novice chase here in February (3m2f, soft); has won over timber and conditions fine for return; big chance if fit in first-time tongue tie. |
5/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 5/910-
Last run: 174 days
W: 9st 5lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 53
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 11 |
16th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 61y Class 5 |
10st 5lb |
Two Flat wins, the latest at 2m in 2023, but he's shown very little in a handful of starts on the Flat and over hurdles since spring 2024. |
66/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1422-6
Last run: 20 days
W: 9st 5lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 53
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 12 (1) |
8th May 2026 Good 1m 7f 209y Class 4 |
9st 4lb |
All five wins at 2m, including three on soft going, latterly at Catterick in October; went back-to-back at Newcastle (AW) at the start of the year and fourth at Ripon (2m, good) on latest outing was close to his best; same mark, so needs to find extra, but he can't be ruled out. |
16/1 |
|
4th 2 (6) |
25th Apr 2026 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 5 |
10st 0lb |
Out-and-out stayer who won twice at Newcastle (2m, Tapeta) at the start of the year but the handicapper has been winning the argument since; it remains to be seen whether a return to turf makes any difference in that regard. |
6/1 |
|
6th 13 (1) |
3rd Apr 2026 Standard 1m 7f 169y Class 4 |
9st 1lb |
Out-and-out stayer who won twice at Newcastle (2m, Tapeta) at the start of the year, but he looks high enough in the weights now and makes a belated Polytrack debut. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 0500-6
Last run: 86 days
W: 9st 1lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 52
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 (3) |
4th Sep 2025 Standard 1m 7f 169y Class 6 |
9st 3lb |
Won two in a row over 1m6f on Southwell AW last autumn but he's having a difficult year and was well behind Velvet Vulcan over C&D recently. |
20/1 |
|
9th 7 (12) |
21st Aug 2025 Standard 1m 7f 169y Class 6 |
9st 4lb |
Completed a Southwell double (1m6f, Tapeta) last autumn but he's been disappointing since and was tailed off at Nottingham last month; has lots to prove and he needs a big turnaround back on AW. |
14/1 |
|
4 (6) |
31st Jul 2025 Good 1m 6f 0y Class 6 |
9st 11lb |
Completed a Southwell double (1m6f, AW) last autumn; 0-10 on turf but although he was beaten just over 14l at Lingfield (1m6f, good) 13l were taken up by the easy winner last time; edging down the weights. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: /608-4
Last run: 13 days
W: 8st 11lb
6 yo Filly
OR: 45
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 8 |
9th May 2024 Good 3m 1f 10y Class 5 |
11st 0lb |
in touch with leaders, mistake and dropped to rear 3rd |
25/1 |
|
6th 8 |
9th May 2024 Good 3m 1f 10y Class 5 |
11st 0lb |
Sole win from 25 starts came in a novice hurdle in June 2022; fit from Flat and continues down the weights as a hurdler but others are more persuasive. |
25/1 |
|
5th 10 (2) |
27th Apr 2024 Standard 2m 0f 120y Class 6 |
9st 0lb |
midfield |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 60/90/
Last run: 949 days
W: 8st 11lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 45
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
18th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 34y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
Hasn't been in the best of form in three runs this season (well-beaten eighth of nine over 2m at Newcastle last week); 4lb out of the handicap; blinkers replace cheekpieces; hard to fancy. |
20/1 |
|
8th 10 |
13th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 0f 75y Class 5 |
10st 4lb |
Improved for cheekpieces last season, winning his last two races, both on soft ground at Market Rasen (2m3f/2m1f) in February/March; not hit form so far this season, but on his last winning mark and stable going better now. |
50/1 |
|
8th 10 |
16th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 19y Class 5 |
10st 6lb |
A longstanding maiden until bagging two soft-ground handicap chases at Market Rasen (extended 2m3f and 2m2f) last February/March; pulled up there six weeks ago when back from eight months off but a return to peak efforts would put him in the mix. |
14/1 |
Verdict
Last year’s third TARBAT NESS can improve for his recent reappearance outing on AW and come out on top. Brickadank could be a big danger off his basement mark off the back of two chase wins, while Cold Henry has some good course form and cases can also be made for Wannabe Brave and Show No Fear.[Ben Hutton]
Selections
Daily Mirror:
Ney