June 10 / 18.30 Pontefract

18.30

Good To Firm

Happy Birthday Alexia “Southport” Chesters Apprentice Handicap (Racing Excellence Series)

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 0m 5f 3y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
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Happy Birthday Alexia “Southport” Chesters Apprentice Handicap (Racing Excellence Series)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 447-74 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Two wins for previous stable; 0-6 for current yard but the form is largely respectable, front-running fourth at Carlisle (5f, good to firm) most recently; possibilities off a reduced mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(3)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:47 Redcar

Spring Is Sprung

9st 3lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Placed three consecutive times in May-July, most recently when close second off today's mark at York (5f, good to firm); behind Democracy Dilemma when mid-pack in big field at Glorious Goodwood last week but that certainly wasn't a bad run; can make his presence felt.

3/1

16th

22

(23)

28th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Goodwood

Spring Is Sprung

8st 7lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Played his part in a strong pace last time at York yet hung around to finish a half-length behind winner Ziggy's Triton; has little margin for error off this mark and other pace influences temper enthusiasm.

25/1

2nd

3

(4)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:05 York

Spring Is Sprung

9st 13lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Paul Midgley

Enjoyed a productive summer last year and he returned to action with a career-best effort at Southwell in January; solid runs in defeat on his last two starts; another big run on the cards.

10/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 600922

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Back in better form since wearing cheekpieces, finishing second in sprint handicaps on good ground at Ayr and Doncaster; now 0-10 for current stable but remains on a workable mark; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

(3)

15th Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Ripon

Emperor Caradoc

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Scored off this mark at Thirsk in May; has generally run to form since but he hasn't been at his best in two visits to Ripon; new headgear tried this afternoon.

20/1

4th

6

(9)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Pontefract

Emperor Caradoc

9st 4lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Multiple winner over 5f-7f, including here; versatile regarding ground; 1lb higher than latest win at Thirsk in May; matched that effort on his penultimate start but may find a couple too good on these terms.

10/1

4th

1

(6)

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

17:15 Nottingham

Emperor Caradoc

10st 0lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Two wins and a second from three visits to Nottingham, all over this trip on fast ground; 1lb higher than for his latest second; one to take seriously.

2/1

12/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 23-477 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Record of 5-18 on AW as opposed to just 1-24 on turf; however, competitively weighted off current mark and ties in with Spring Is Sprung (same ownership) on Carlisle running last time; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(7)

23rd Oct 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

16:27 Southwell (AW)

Nelson Gay

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Michael Dods

Multiple winner on the AW and consistent in the main; in front 2f out but didn't quite get home when third here last month; respected off same mark.

7/1

3rd

5

(7)

27th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Nelson Gay

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Michael Dods

Won twice over C&D early this year and he's now 2lb lower than for the second of them; showed signs of a return to form when fourth of nine at Lingfield three weeks ago; solid candidate.

9/2

1

(3)

8th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 6

14:52 Lingfield (AW)

Nelson Gay

9st 9lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Michael Dods

Three wins this year include two on the Southwell AW; hasn't been flying of late but he's the type to bounce back and this mark is fine.

11/2

OUR TIP

Form: 4538-2 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Losing run is mounting up but he has plenty of respectable form since last win; went very close at Beverley (5f, good to firm) on seasonal debut and can remain competitive, having gone back up just 1lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(3)

3rd Sep 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Dandy Dinmont

9st 3lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Won a 5f handicap at Beverley in May off a 3lb higher mark; generally disappointing since but he's fine on Tapeta and he can't be discounted; stable also run Muker.

16/1

10th

9

(10)

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

19:00 Beverley

Dandy Dinmont

9st 5lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Nigel Tinkler

Far from consistent this season but got up in the final strides over C&D (good to firm; off 1lb higher) in May; possibilities provided he's back in similar form and the race again pans out favourably.

12/1

5th

6

(8)

7th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

16:48 Pontefract

Dandy Dinmont

9st 7lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Nigel Tinkler

Back off the same mark as when winning narrowly at Beverley (5f, good) in May, but he hasn't proved very consistent so far this year so not quite sure what to expect.

16/1

Form: 4-392U D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Went close at Hamilton (5f, good to soft) on most recent completed start but that form has taken some knocks since; unseated rider leaving the stalls latest; both wins in Scotland.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(9)

2nd Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 160y

Class 6

15:00 Bath

Honour Your Dreams

9st 7lb

J: Kieren Fox

T: Michael Attwater

His losing run is up to 16 and his form has gone the wrong way this year, but he's 3lb lower than when beaten just a neck at Lingfield (5f, AW) in June and he won this race in 2024; not discounted.

5/1

5th

1

(4)

28th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Ffos Las

Honour Your Dreams

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Michael Attwater

Winner over this trip but doesn't run over it often now, all starts this year having come over 5f; continues to tumble down the weights but has struggled in two runs back on turf latterly and others make more appeal.

10/1

4th

5

(5)

7th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 60y

Class 6

20:50 Brighton

Honour Your Dreams

9st 4lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Attwater

Has six wins to his name but yet to score for his current trainer; best recent effort when runner-up at Lingfield (5f, AW) last month; not out of this.

7/1

16/1

Form: 382429

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Largely consistent on AW this year for previous yard; form dipped at Beverley on debut for new stable but holds a fighting chance granted a rebound; won off this mark on turf last August.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(7)

19th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

16:55 Nottingham

Masterclass

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Paul Midgley

Ended a long losing run in this race last year but he's 0-15 since and has been hard to predict; now 3lb lower than for that last success but he faded at Doncaster last time and he comes with risks attached.

11/2

8th

8

(9)

24th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

13:40 Doncaster

Masterclass

9st 5lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Paul Midgley

Ended a losing run when the comfortable winner of a 5f handicap at Nottingham last May (5f, good to firm) off a 1lb higher mark; he was returning from a short break when fourth of 13 at Pontefract 17 days ago and that effort can be upgraded as he was wider than ideal as the field turned for home; each-way shout.

8/1

4th

14

(5)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

17:35 Pontefract

Masterclass

8st 10lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Paul Midgley

Hold-up sprinter who is on the same mark as when seeing off nine rivals at Nottingham last May (5f, good to firm); in and out afterwards but the return of blinkers should help now back from 138 days off.

14/1

Form: 6-0093 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Clear signs of a return to form in big field at Thirsk last month, finishing third (best of the near-side runners); defied a 7lb higher mark in this contest last year (good to firm) on sole start under Elle-May Croot; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(4)

10th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

18:30 Pontefract

Indian Sounds

8st 10lb

J: Elle-May Croot

T: Paul Midgley

Clear signs of a return to form in big field at Thirsk last month, finishing third (best of the near-side runners); defied a 7lb higher mark in this contest last year (good to firm) on sole start under Elle-May Croot; respected.

7/2

3rd

9

(18)

18th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:02 Thirsk

Indian Sounds

9st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Paul Midgley

taken down early

33/1

3rd

9

(18)

18th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:02 Thirsk

Indian Sounds

9st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Paul Midgley

taken down early, raced near side

33/1

Form: 00525- D BF

Last run: 213 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Lacks recent match practice (absent for seven months) and may be more interesting later this summer, having gained last four wins during the month of August; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(5)

20th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Newcastle (AW)

Show Me Show Me

9st 5lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard Fahey

Reliable sort who broke losing run over C&D last month; didn't improve for the return to 6f last time but he'll be happier back at this trip and he's not without a chance.

11/2

3rd

5

(2)

8th Feb 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Show Me Show Me

9st 8lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard Fahey

Hasn't raced over 6f since the 2023 Ayr Bronze Cup; some solid 5f form this winter and, while the trip is a slight query (0-16), he was placed in a 0-85 in July 2022; today's rider knows him and is good value for his claim, especially in an apprentice race; could go well.

12/1

3rd

5

(2)

8th Feb 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Show Me Show Me

9st 8lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard Fahey

Hasn't raced over 6f since the 2023 Ayr Bronze Cup; some solid 5f form this winter and, while the trip is a slight query (0-16), he was placed in a 0-85 in July 2022; today's rider knows him and is good value for his claim, especially in an apprentice race; could go well.

12/1

Non-runners

Soul Seeker

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.10
Straight Forecast £13.63
Tricast £60.34
Trifecta £76.80

Selections

POSTDATA:

Emperor Caradoc

SPOTLIGHT:

Indian Sounds

The Sun:

Dandy Dinmont

The Times:

Spring Is Sprung

Telegraph:

Emperor Caradoc

The Guardian:

Emperor Caradoc

D Express:

Emperor Caradoc

The Star:

Dandy Dinmont

Daily Record:

Dandy Dinmont

RP RATINGS:

Indian Sounds

Daily Mail:

Indian Sounds

Daily Mirror:

Indian Sounds