July 09 / 17.17 Pontefract

17.17

Good To Firm

Sarah Smith 50th Birthday Handicap

  • Prize money: £4320
  • 0m 5f 3y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
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Sarah Smith 50th Birthday Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.50
  • Place: £2.40

Form: 009222 BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in good-ground sprint handicaps on his last three starts; more required to defy this mark though and his draw isn't ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

19:00 Nottingham

Emperor Caradoc

10st 1lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Has a patchy profile but he won at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) in May and finished close-up in sixth there 18 days ago; remains feasibly treated on his win in this race last year and he's 2-2 at Nottingham; interesting contender.

11/4

2nd
11 (5)
Lettuce Leaf

10/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 445-30

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Impressed with the way she travelled at Redcar on May's handicap debut; slipped at the start at Thirsk three weeks ago and finished well held; unraced on faster than good to soft; still has potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(1)

9th May 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:55 Ripon

Lettuce Leaf

8st 12lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Tom Tate

Maiden who turned in her best efforts last year on soft ground; finished the season on a downswing and isn't obviously fancied from the outside stall.

33/1

8th

8

(1)

9th May 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:55 Ripon

Lettuce Leaf

8st 12lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Tom Tate

ducked right start, took keen hold, in touch with leaders

33/1

10th

8

(10)

21st Nov 2024

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Lettuce Leaf

8st 12lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Tom Tate

soon prominent

14/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 5-3230 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
C&D winner; two years since his last victory but he's been running well in Class 5 events this year; not so good at York (Class 4) last month and the outside stall dents confidence this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

(12)

14th Oct 2024

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 5

14:50 Musselburgh

Ghathanfar

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Tracy Waggott

Some good runs in defeat this April-July and he's well treated on that form; however, this 8yo wasn't performing at the same level in the second half of the summer and needs to raise his game back from a two-month break.

12/1

107

20th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Ayr

Ghathanfar

8st 5lb

T: Tracy Waggott

8/1

Form: 401242 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Drawn wide when second to Cavalier Approach over C&D last week and he's fared better in that department today; 5lb better off this time and should give his running again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(7)

8th Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

15:55 Musselburgh

Protest Rally

9st 4lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Liam Bailey

Ran creditably off 2lb higher back here last Friday, beaten just over 1l and taking record over C&D to 121214; gained most recent success off this mark at Pontefract in May; very solid chance.

4/1

4th

6

(4)

1st Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

19:18 Musselburgh

Protest Rally

9st 4lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Liam Bailey

Won over 5f here (good) and at Pontefract (good to firm) in May; hasn't been in quite the same form recently; others stronger.

10/1

8th

14

(11)

26th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:20 York

Protest Rally

11st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Liam Bailey

Two wins in May (5f, good/good to firm) and has continued in good heart, beaten just over 2l when eighth of 16 over C&D (good to firm) a fortnight ago; however, he needs something extra today.

14/1

Form: 476446 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Well treated now and although things haven't clicked yet for this yard, his run here last week was promising (fluffed the start but running on well at the finish); stall 1 a positive but only if he breaks on terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(8)

30th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

15:38 Nottingham

Sound Reason

9st 3lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: David O’Meara

Acts on fast and soft ground; had some close calls off higher marks this summer but he's not threatened in last three runs and is now 0-20 since his last win 15 months ago; down the list.

10/1

8th

6

(8)

30th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

15:38 Nottingham

Sound Reason

9st 3lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: David O’Meara

Acts on fast and soft ground; had some close calls off higher marks this summer but he's not threatened in last three runs and is now 0-20 since his last win 15 months ago; down the list.

10/1

9th

9

(3)

18th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:27 Redcar

Sound Reason

9st 5lb

J: Jason Watson

T: David O’Meara

Better drawn today than when sixth behind Project Dante here three weeks ago; unable to justify favouritism at Newcastle eight days later; dangerous mark but his losing run is mounting up.

7/1

Form: 89-015 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Made all to win a 5f handicap (soft) at Ripon last month, his second start for this yard; not so good on quicker ground at Nottingham 12 days ago, albeit he overdid things up front; other pace to contend with and this is a rise in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(5)

25th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

19:45 Leicester

Dunnington Lad

8st 4lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Peter Winks

Out of form this season (four runs) and remains without a win since summer 2024; can't be recommended from out of the handicap.

50/1

7th

6

(2)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Ripon

Dunnington Lad

9st 4lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Peter Winks

His last two wins have been over C&D (soft/good) but latest was in August 2024; well handicapped on his old form but he's been out of sorts in his three runs this season and needs a big turnaround; tongue-tie removed.

16/1

6th

4

(3)

8th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:10 Leicester

Dunnington Lad

9st 9lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Peter Winks

Won twice over 5f at Ripon in 2024 but last year was a struggle and he's been beaten 11l and 13l in his two runs this season; has lots to prove and he needs a major revival with tongue-tie reapplied.

33/1

Form: 8-7451 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 10st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Off the mark for the season when seeing off 11 rivals over C&D last week, always well positioned and sealing matters with a decisive burst over 1f out; looks well treated under a penalty and he's copped another favourable draw; strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(5)

11th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

14:08 Dundalk (AW)

Cavalier Approach

9st 10lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Paul W Flynn

Won four times in Britain; weak form in Ireland last year; best watched on stable debut, and first run since last of 14 behind Sovereign Banter here in October.

25/1

14th

5

(14)

24th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

18:15 Dundalk (AW)

Cavalier Approach

9st 12lb

J: Julian Pietropaolo

T: Maurice Andrew Ahern

Won four times in Britain for Ed Bethell; poor form in three turf runs in Ireland this season; failed to land a blow at Newcastle three days ago; the jury is out at present.

25/1

5

(4)

21st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Cavalier Approach

9st 8lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Maurice Andrew Ahern

One of his four wins for earlier trainers came over C&D; poor form in three turf runs in Ireland this season but he ran off 68 on the first of them and gets in here off just 54; interesting to see if there is any market support with headgear returning.

8/1

Form: 180515 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Popped up at Hamilton last month (5f, good to firm), showing a stiff 5f was no problem; creditable run on AW last time; well drawn and holds each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(9)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Ayr

Newyorkstateofmind

8st 12lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Has a better strike-rate on the AW and he's won just once on turf in the last three years; however, he only just lost out over 5f at Catterick (good) in May and has a decent run in him if on song.

20/1

4th

10

(12)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:38 Newcastle (AW)

Newyorkstateofmind

9st 1lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Ruth Carr

Course winner who was fourth of 13 in this last year and was a close second at Catterick last month; however, this inconsistent 9yo has been soundly beaten on his last two starts and has to leave those runs behind.

16/1

8th

5

(2)

15th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 6

15:40 Wetherby

Newyorkstateofmind

9st 1lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Has won over this intermediate distance; good second at Catterick on second start (5f, good) this season but below his best either side of that.

12/1

33/1

Form: 13RRR- D

Last run: 206 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Refused to race on final two runs for Amanda Perrett and again in one appearance for Ian McInnes in December; has the ability to go well but he's not a solid betting proposition starting out for another new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

29th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

17:25 Southwell (AW)

Imperiousity

8st 12lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: Shaun Harris

Ended his time with Amanda Perrett by refusing to race twice and he repeated the antics in one racecourse visit for Ian McInnes in December; has not beaten a rival in three runs for new yard; may come good off a lowly mark with headgear returned but can't be supported with confidence.

25/1

10

(14)

16th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

15:50 Thirsk

Imperiousity

9st 3lb

J: Joe Bradnam

T: Shaun Harris

Refused to race in last three races last season; hasn't repeated that since, but hasn't shown any worthwhile form this year either (twice slowly away after blindfold taken off late); others stronger.

50/1

10th

3

(5)

7th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 3y

Class 6

20:10 Yarmouth

Imperiousity

9st 8lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: Shaun Harris

mounted in chute and taken down early, in touch with leaders

33/1

Non-runners

Dicko The Legend, Lets Go Hugo, Zargun

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £70.50
Straight Forecast £96.10
Tricast £476.73
Trifecta £547.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Cavalier Approach

The Times:

Lettuce Leaf

Daily Record:

Protest Rally

RP RATINGS:

Cavalier Approach

POSTDATA:

Cavalier Approach

Telegraph:

Cavalier Approach

The Guardian:

Cavalier Approach

Daily Mail:

Cavalier Approach

D Express:

Cavalier Approach

Daily Mirror:

Cavalier Approach

The Star:

Cavalier Approach