April 22 / 16.25 Pontefract

16.25

Soft

Into The Sky Pontefract Marathon Handicap (Round 2 Of The Pontefract Stayers’ Championship 2023)

  • Prize money: £3140.4
  • 2m 5f 139y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
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Into The Sky Pontefract Marathon Handicap (Round 2 Of The Pontefract Stayers’ Championship 2023)

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

Form & Verdict
Below par on Southwell AW in February last time out, but ran well there in January and he's produced positive performances when tackling 2m2f at this course; versatile ground-wise and could be in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(2)

31st May 2024

Soft

2m 1f 47y

Class 6

13:40 Carlisle

Cold Henry

9st 6lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Sara Ender

Dual winner over 2m at Catterick on a soft surface in autumn of 2022 and placed several times since, albeit on a losing run of 13; finished behind a couple of these back there last time, though, so she needs to find more from somewhere; cheekpieces return.

17/2

9th

1

(9)

30th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 192y

Class 6

18:20 Catterick

Cold Henry

9st 11lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Sara Ender

Two wins over 2m here in autumn of 2022; hasn't won since, but has several decent placed efforts to his credit; could go well, but perhaps better at 2m.

10/1

9th

1

(9)

30th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 192y

Class 6

18:20 Catterick

Cold Henry

9st 11lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Sara Ender

Two wins over 2m here in autumn of 2022; hasn't won since, but has several decent placed efforts to his credit; could go well, but perhaps better at 2m.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 43354- BF

Last run: 156 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 56

Form & Verdict
Has a poor 1-17 strike-rate and he'll have something to prove if the ground is soft or heavy; however, stamina looks an asset and he could be suited by today's test, which is his first outing beyond an extended 2m; returned from break with a run over hurdles last month (albeit well beaten).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(4)

10th Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:45 Chelmsford (AW)

Wannabe Brave

10st 4lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: James Fanshawe

Four wins on AW in his last seven starts, including with a late thrust over 2m at Lingfield (Polytrack) last month; now drops back in trip but he's only 2lb higher and was a creditable second over C&D on penultimate run; respected.

2/1

6

29th Sep 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 5

16:15 Southwell (AW)

Wannabe Brave

9st 8lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: James Fanshawe

1st

2

(8)

14th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 6

12:55 Lingfield (AW)

Wannabe Brave

10st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Completed an AW hat-trick in the first half of the year, the last leg coming over C&D off 5lb lower; good second at Chelmsford three weeks ago (1m6f); each-way shout.

11/2

Form: 52-126

Last run: 91 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Won easily at Newcastle (2m, AW) in January and went close at Southwell (1m6f, AW) seven days later; well beaten at Newcastle next time but that was his third quick run in a row; has had a break since and could get back on track with a big performance; effective on turf when trained in Ireland.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(11)

19th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 5

16:05 Pontefract

Show No Fear

9st 13lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Rebecca Menzies

took keen hold, led, headed but prominent after 2f, weakened from 2f out

20/1

8th

6

(8)

14th Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 28y

Class 4

18:20 Musselburgh

Show No Fear

9st 0lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Rebecca Menzies

prominent

7/1

5

(7)

28th Aug 2024

Good

2m 2f 28y

Class 4

16:05 Musselburgh

Show No Fear

9st 2lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won at Ayr (1m7f) in May and front-running second in the Northumberland Vase at Newcastle (2m, AW) in June; finished last, however, at York and Newcastle on last two outings; blinkered once and a visor now replaces his usual cheekpieces.

20/1

Form: 06-286

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
On a long losing run and she has a patchy profile; however, she's twice finished runner-up since last July and she stays 2m5f over hurdles, so may have the necessary credentials for this assignment; not discounted.
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

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Alchemystique

9st 9lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Steph Hollinshead

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

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Alchemystique

9st 9lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Steph Hollinshead

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

Form & Verdict
Went very close in 3m3f handicap chase last October and stamina won't be an issue today; however, that was at a lowly level and he was tailed off over hurdles in January last time out; this 13yo races on the Flat for the first time since 2020 (handicap debut in this code) and may be best watched.
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

16:50 Uttoxeter

Lough Salt

10st 2lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Peter Winks

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

16:25 Fontwell

Lough Salt

10st 5lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Peter Winks

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

16:25 Fontwell

Lough Salt

10st 5lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Peter Winks

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

Form & Verdict
He's perhaps not straightforward (reportedly hung right-handed last time) but has been in good form over 2m on AW this year and he won on soft ground over hurdles in Ireland; could be a contender if seeing out the trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(3)

19th Jun 2024

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:50 Nottingham

Ney

9st 7lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Danny Brooke

midfield

7/2

4th

1

(5)

31st May 2024

Soft

2m 1f 47y

Class 6

13:40 Carlisle

Ney

10st 0lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Danny Brooke

3-5 since the blinkers went on and bids for a hat-trick from a 4lb higher mark after wins on good ground at Catterick (1m6f) and Ripon (2m); handled soft ground well over hurdles when trained in Ireland so likely to be bang there once again.

11/8

1st

3

(3)

10th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

18:40 Ripon

Ney

9st 8lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Danny Brooke

in touch with leaders against rail, switched left and waiting for room 4f out, smooth headway to lead over 2f out, pushed along and went clear over 1f out, ridden out inside final furlong, comfortably

2/1

Abandoned

Form: 5/910-

Last run: 174 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Has gone jumping this year and was tailed off on handicap hurdle debut last month; ran three times on the Flat last year, with two heavy defeats sandwiching a front-running win at Redcar (2m, soft); can't be written off but he's not a reliable proposition.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(6)

29th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

14:47 Catterick

Gold Ring

9st 1lb

J: Paula Muir

T: Neil Mechie

prominent, lost position halfway, soon detached, tailed off

50/1

8th

8

(6)

29th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

14:47 Catterick

Gold Ring

9st 1lb

J: Paula Muir

T: Neil Mechie

prominent, lost position halfway, soon detached, tailed off

50/1

8

(6)

7th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 2f 2y

Class 5

15:37 Pontefract

Gold Ring

8st 11lb

J: Paula Muir

T: Neil Mechie

Modest and inconsistent sort who has gained both wins in the month of April (2022/2023); absent since a couple of below-par efforts this spring; 7lb out of weights; opposed.

25/1

Abandoned

Form: 1422-6

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Creditable third in this race last year (good to soft) and he ended his campaign in good form (including on soft/heavy); didn't run badly on recent reappearance on AW and that outing could have put him spot on for today; last season's cheekpieces replace the blinkers adopted last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(4)

29th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

14:47 Catterick

Tarbat Ness

9st 3lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

held up in rear, headway after 8f, led going best when switched to near side over 2f out, ridden and went clear over 1f out, pushed out final 110yds, comfortably

5/1

1st

7

(4)

29th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

14:47 Catterick

Tarbat Ness

9st 3lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

held up in rear, headway after 8f, led going best when switched to near side over 2f out, ridden and went clear over 1f out, pushed out final 110yds, comfortably

5/1

2nd

10

(4)

10th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:25 Bath

Tarbat Ness

9st 2lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Sole win in 26 runs came in a soft-ground 2m handicap last September; only 3lb higher and he returned to form with a second at Catterick; possible.

6/1

Form: 0500-6

Last run: 86 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
Ran okay when sixth on stable debut at Kempton (2m, AW) in January, but he was inconsistent when trained in Ireland and others make greater appeal than this nine-race maiden.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(9)

10th Oct 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Blenheim Lad

9st 7lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Camilla Poulton

prominent

11/4

1st

4

(5)

26th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Blenheim Lad

9st 4lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Camilla Poulton

Runner-up in 2m Wolverhampton AW handicap in April but lesser efforts since leave him with work to do.

6/1

Form: /608-4

Last run: 13 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Fair fourth in 3m1f handicap hurdle last November, but that's just modest form and she was beaten 8l when fourth of seven back on the Flat at Southwell (2m, AW) recently; others have more pressing claims.
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

14:25 Huntingdon

Quiet Thunder

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Hollinshead

in touch with leaders, mistake and dropped to rear 3rd

25/1

6th

8

9th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

14:25 Huntingdon

Quiet Thunder

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Sarah Hollinshead

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

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Quiet Thunder

9st 0lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Sarah Hollinshead

midfield

20/1

Abandoned

Form: 60/90/

Last run: 949 days

W: 8st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Has shown very little on his five Flat starts, the latest in 2021; plies his trade at a lowly level over fences but he's won his last two (2m3f/2m1f, soft) and has a basement mark for this return to the Flat; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

20th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

14:00 Market Rasen

Brickadank

10st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

Record of 1-37 but his win came under a prominent ride in a handicap here (2m3f, soft) last month; up 4lb for that narrow success but his confidence should be boosted and he could go well again back in trip.

7/2

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

SPOTLIGHT:

Tarbat Ness

The Times:

Ney

RP RATINGS:

Wannabe Brave

POSTDATA:

Brickadank

NEWMARKET:

Wannabe Brave

Telegraph:

Tarbat Ness

D Express:

Tarbat Ness

The Sun:

Tarbat Ness

The Star:

Tarbat Ness

Daily Record:

Tarbat Ness

The Guardian:

Ney

Daily Mail:

Ney

Daily Mirror:

Ney