July 09 / 16.45 Pontefract

16.45

Good To Firm

Charles Stewart & Co Steve Evans Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £4187.2
  • 1m 0f 6y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
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Charles Stewart & Co Steve Evans Memorial Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.40
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 429115 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Won at Beverley (8.5f, soft/good to soft) in May/June, then ran creditably on AW in the hat-trick attempt; remains in form but he has never defied a mark this high.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(2)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:48 Pontefract

Distinction

9st 2lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: John Mackie

Kept to a track that suits as his form at Pontefract features wins in 2024/2025 and a resurgent effort (close third) in latest start; faces some unexposed types among his younger rivals but holds a solid chance.

5/1

3rd

10

(9)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

20:52 Pontefract

Distinction

8st 9lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: John Mackie

Conditions no problem and he has slipped back down the weights but this year's efforts leave him with a point to prove.

20/1

8th

9

(4)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:17 Ripon

Distinction

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: John Mackie

Nine career wins but operating below his best for some time; best watched.

16/1

2nd
10 (10)
Mulciber

9/2

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 18-123 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Campaigned on AW since switched to handicaps, winning twice for previous yard; ran well on debut for new stable; likely player provided the form is transferred back to turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

(10)

9th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

16:45 Pontefract

Mulciber

8st 13lb

J: David Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

led but pestered, increased tempo 2f out, rallied when headed final 110yds, just held second

9/2

3rd

2

(10)

27th Jun 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 6

17:50 Newcastle (AW)

Mulciber

9st 9lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Dylan Cunha

Dual course winner for Marco Botti (7f/1m); bumped into very progressive rival when second at Southwell (1m) in March then changed hands for 17,000gns later that month; player if still in same form for new stable.

7/1

2nd

2

(3)

10th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Mulciber

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Marco Botti

prominent, led after 1f, headed over 1f out, kept on, no match for winner

11/2

3rd
11 (8)
Bateman

7/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 6-55

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Has shown promise over sprint trips while shaping as if he's crying out for further; should improve now handicapping over 1m on second run for this yard; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(13)

10th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Bateman

9st 9lb

J: Tommie Jakes

T: Gemma Tutty

Narrow winner of 7f maiden handicap at Carlisle in July; solid effort over C&D next time but his form has dipped the last twice; returning to a shorter trip can help though and he's now 1lb lower than for his win; respected.

5/1

6th

8

(3)

29th Aug 2024

Good To Soft

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Carlisle

Bateman

9st 4lb

J: Laura Coughlan

T: Gemma Tutty

Got off the mark over 7f here in July but only eighth (possibly found run coming too quickly) in 1m2f handicap at Pontefract 22 days ago; he's worth another chance.

5/1

9

(4)

7th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

14:10 Pontefract

Bateman

10st 9lb

J: Miss Amy Collier

T: Gemma Tutty

Won at Carlisle (7f, good to soft) last month on second handicap start and close sixth of 11 at Newcastle (1m, AW) 11 days ago; goes up in trip today and he's unraced on good/good to firm ground, but this unexposed 3yo represents an in-form trainer and he's not ruled out.

4/1

12/1

Form: -65793 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Respectable third to Distinction at Beverley (8.5f) last month and remains on last winning mark; runner-up in both starts in cheekpieces, which are reapplied today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(2)

27th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

16:15 Beverley

Poets Dawn

9st 13lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Rolled back the years with a front-running 1m2f win at Ripon ten days ago; only has a 4lb penalty to deal with and Jake Dickson is good value for his 7lb claim; unlikely to get a soft time of things up front though.

9/4

1st

10

(1)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

15:17 Ripon

Poets Dawn

8st 13lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Grand veteran striving to maintain his record of winning at least once every year since 2017; not the force of old and although he is down to a career-low mark, this looks a tad too competitive for him nowadays.

14/1

Form: 153242 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Belatedly regained the winning thread at Nottingham (1m, soft) in April; has remained in form since, solid second at Doncaster (good to firm) most recently; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(12)

17th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 7f 216y

Class 5

15:15 Brighton

Ardbraccan

10st 0lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Michael Appleby

in rear

11/2

4th

8

(2)

9th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

16:17 Nottingham

Ardbraccan

9st 6lb

J: Frederick Larson

T: Michael Appleby

Has a modest strike-rate but won over C&D (soft) in April; largely consistent since, solid second off this mark at Sandown (1m, good; behind a subsequent winner) most recently; one for the shortlist.

8/1

Form: 276

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Made late headway from a difficult position at Wetherby on latest 7f start, catching the eye; open to improvement over this extra furlong on handicap debut; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(1)

7th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Shamardal Star

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Opened his account in Newcastle handicap (1m2f; third run for new yard) most recently and looked value for more than the half-length winning margin; may have more to offer over middle distances; respected back up 5lb.

6/4

1st

2

(5)

29th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Shamardal Star

9st 11lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

0-10 and hasn't built on early promise, including in two starts for this yard; drops again in grade but enough to prove back from 74 days off.

6/1

10/1

Form: 137263 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Has done all her winning in Class 6, most recently in April; respectable third at Doncaster (1m) last time, albeit taking record in this grade to 0-25; not the percentage call.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(4)

27th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

16:15 Beverley

Hostelry

9st 5lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Ruth Carr

Multiple winner, including C&D, and she's dropped a long way in the weights; latest fourth of 14 over C&D was a welcome return to form and the form is working out well; one to take seriously with Kaiya Fraser back on board.

4/1

4th

3

(6)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

17:56 Beverley

Hostelry

9st 6lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Ruth Carr

Ten-time turf winner who is well treated on her best form last year, but she's been quiet in three runs this season and latest was over C&D (well-held sixth) last Saturday; one of two runners for yard and she needs to raise her game.

16/1

6th

3

(1)

23rd Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

16:52 Beverley

Hostelry

9st 8lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Ruth Carr

Couple of duck eggs this term leave a doubt over her current form; however, gained one of her five wins in 2025 over this C&D and she holds a good chance off current mark provided a resurgence materialises; runner-up in this race 12 months ago.

8/1

Form: -14059 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Won AW maiden in March; ran well at Pontefract last autumn but has dismal claims on 2024 turf form; chance partly depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(10)

21st Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Kempton (AW)

Invincible Aura

9st 0lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Marco Botti

towards rear, some headway inside final furlong

12/1

7th

10

(10)

21st Apr 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Kempton (AW)

Invincible Aura

9st 0lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Marco Botti

towards rear

12/1

3rd

5

(4)

14th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Invincible Aura

9st 5lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Marco Botti

Hard to crab his record on AW, winning three times and regularly placed; he'll need a good pace back at 7f but that could be on the cards.

100/30

9th
4 (4)
Coolree

10/1

Form: 253144 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Generally in good form this year, notably Beverley success (8.5f, good to firm) in May; did a bit too much up front in C&D event most recently; does not need to lead.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(8)

27th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 96y

Class 5

15:15 Beverley

Coolree

9st 2lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Has won here twice already this month, taking his course record to 112311; all those races were over the extended 1m, so this race asks a slightly different question but he grabbed control well over 1f out last time, is back in career-best form and highly respected.

4/1

1st

8

(10)

12th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 5

16:35 Beverley

Coolree

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Sam England

Prevailed by half a length last week, taking C&D record to 11231; successful in this race for the last two years and commands respect, even under a 4lb penalty, kept to his ideal scenario.

4/1

1st

1

(14)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

17:56 Beverley

Coolree

9st 9lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Acts on good to firm and soft ground; overall record of 3-38 but his last two wins have come over C&D and he returned to form with a front-running third here 11 days ago; remains well handicapped off 2lb lower than for his last success and he could make another bold bid.

4/1

Form: 4-1106 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Good start for new stable with two all-the-way wins (AW/soft) in April; inferior form in two runs since, having been unable to dominate; chance depends on the tactical element.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(5)

4th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Diddy Man

9st 6lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Thomas Faulkner

Placed twice over about 1m on turf since winning readily by 3l over C&D in April and has good claims if judged on those exploits but blotted his copybook when refusing to race at Chepstow in August.

14/1

2

(15)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 14y

Class 2

15:03 Chepstow

Diddy Man

9st 11lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Thomas Faulkner

Wins have all come in April but there was nothing wrong with his Doncaster second off 2lb lower a month ago, when clear with a subsequent winner; not always been the most consistent, though, and would have preferred some rain.

6/1

1

(1)

24th Jul 2025

Soft

0m 7f 213y

Class 6

14:35 Doncaster

Diddy Man

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Thomas Faulkner

Two wins for Harriet Bethell in April last year, over 1m at Newcastle and over 7f on soft here (won by 4l); has changed yards twice since (bought for 2,000gns in October); won again at Wolverhampton in April (7f) but hasn't done quite as well since.

4/1

Non-runners

Carolus Magnus

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £105.40
Straight Forecast £87.05
Tricast £308.29
Trifecta £621.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bateman

The Times:

Ardbraccan

Daily Mail:

Shamardal Star

NEWMARKET:

Mulciber

POSTDATA:

Coolree

D Express:

Carolus Magnus

RP RATINGS:

Poet's Dawn

The Sun:

Shamardal Star

The Guardian:

Mulciber

Telegraph:

Bateman

The Star:

Bateman

Daily Mirror:

Ardbraccan

Daily Record:

Ardbraccan