August 18 / 18.15 Pontefract

18.15

Good To Firm

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  • Prize money: £25770
  • 0m 5f 3y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
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Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

15/2 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £3.00

Form: 215403 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Enjoying a good season and again ran well when third of ten at Ascot (5f, good) last Saturday; has won over C&D and could be in the shake-up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(7)

1st Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 3y

Class 4

18:22 Epsom

Dream Composer

10st 4lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Tony Carroll

Hit the ground running for this yard, his Ripon win in April backed up by arguably unlucky fourth at Goodwood the following month; not beaten far in the Dash here next time and led on the line at Windsor (again 5f, good to firm) last Monday; 4lb penalty to overcome and his best has come at 5f, but he's still considered.

7/2

1st

5

(4)

22nd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 3

19:17 Windsor

Dream Composer

9st 9lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Tony Carroll

In good form for his new yard, faring best of those drawn low in the Epsom Dash last time back in the trademark cheekpieces; bit unlucky at Goodwood on his previous start too and remains on a fair mark; one to consider.

6/1

7th

17

(6)

6th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Dream Composer

8st 11lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Tony Carroll

Trained by James Evans when winning this race in 2024 off a 5lb higher mark (good to soft); well beaten in it last year but he arrives in good form for his new stable, winning at Ripon in April and not enjoying the cleanest run when fourth at Goodwood 15 days ago; rain won't hurt his chance and he's of obvious interest.

12/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 3-1212 D BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Highly progressive this year, winning twice (5f, good to soft) and going very close to a third Sky Bet Sunday Series win (and resulting £100,000 bonus) at Haydock (5f, good) a fortnight ago; has another crack at the bumper payday here and every chance he'll land it; has won on fast ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(15)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:12 York

American Affair

9st 1lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Didn't give his running in bid for back-to-back victories in Group 1 at Royal Ascot (last of 26) last month, but he'd previously shaped well when second in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock; this C&D winner (good to firm) takes a drop in grade and will be a danger to all if on a going day.

11/2

26th

2

(18)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

American Affair

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

A massive improver in 2025 as he was still cleaning up in handicaps in the spring before nipping home to win this race (good to firm) from Frost At Dawn; down the field on first run since, at York in May, but he came on a ton to chase home Night Raider at Haydock (5f, good to soft) latest; likely to pull out the stops for another excellent effort.

8/1

2nd

3

(10)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

American Affair

9st 6lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Highly progressive in 2025, winning the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm); also won on good to soft last year; it was his first run since when down the field at York recently and he may have needed it, but a dramatic transformation is required just ten days on.

9/1

3rd
8 (1)
Trilby

8/1

Form: 066641

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Made it three wins for the year when scoring in a big field at Haydock a fortnight ago (6f, good; unraced on fast ground); from out of the handicap he's 7lb higher today and drops back in trip, but he travelled well last time and this progressive 4yo is entitled to respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(2)

9th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:42 Carlisle

Trilby

9st 12lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Had his ideal conditions when gaining his fourth win at Haydock last month (5f, soft) when wearing cheekpieces for the first time; solid third of 20 off this 5lb higher mark at York last time (5f, good; fifth has won since); stall 2 perhaps not ideal but one with a chance.

3/1

3rd

19

(20)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Trilby

9st 9lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Sam England

Reacted well to first-time cheekpieces when picking up nicely to collar a back-to-form rival (pair clear) at Haydock (5f, soft) on Thursday; 5lb penalty in a deeper race but a bigger factor could be that the ground is unlikely to be as testing this time (has won on good but seems most potent when the mud is flying).

10/1

1st

5

(1)

21st May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:13 Haydock

Trilby

8st 13lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Returned to form when second at Beverley (5f, good) last month; sixth of seven there since (5f, good to soft) but beaten less than 2l and he's a three-time winner here (6f/5f, good-heavy); could be bang there now back here in first-time cheekpieces.

9/4

10/1

Form: 384533 D

Last run: 2 days

W: 8st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
9yo whose losing streak goes all the way back to May 2021 and this is a warm little race, but he's dropped down the weights and was a close third at Thirsk (5f, good) on Friday night; might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(1)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

17:13 Catterick

Arecibo

9st 9lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Declan Carroll

Smart sprinter in his prime but last win was four years ago and he's finished down the field in four runs this season; return to 6f in his favour but don't need much encouragement to look elsewhere.

14/1

2nd

4

(1)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

17:13 Catterick

Arecibo

9st 9lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Declan Carroll

Smart sprinter in his prime but last win was four years ago and he's finished down the field in four runs this season; return to 6f in his favour but don't need much encouragement to look elsewhere.

14/1

6th

11

(1)

17th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:30 Thirsk

Arecibo

8st 7lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Veteran who was a smart sprinter in his prime but last win was four years ago and he's finished down the field in three runs this season; dropped another 3lb but he has lots to prove on this first run at 7f; visor removed.

25/1

5th
5 (4)
Vantheman

11/4

Form: 0-1201 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
3yo who is having a progressive campaign and was better than ever when winning over C&D (good) last month; he could continue to improve and a 4lb rise might not stop him today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(1)

17th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 3

19:07 Pontefract

Vantheman

9st 8lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Took this prize in 2024; back in fine form of late since fitted with blinkers, scoring at Hamilton (5f) in May and in the frame in big-field 5f handicaps at Thirsk and Newcastle since; ought to be thereabouts.

5/1

4th

12

(12)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

19:28 Newcastle (AW)

Vantheman

9st 2lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Prominent racer; two wins this season, one of them C&D (2-2 here); back near his best when a close third of 17 at Thirsk last month but this is a stronger race.

10/1

3rd

1

(13)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Thirsk

Vantheman

9st 12lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

None too consistent but he surged back to form with a win at Hamilton (5f, good; made all) two weeks ago; that was only his second go in blinkers and he's again of interest off 4lb higher.

8/1

Form: 053322 D BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Consistent 3yo who has gone close the last twice at York (5.4f, good to firm) and Musselburgh (5f, good to firm); a wide draw isn't ideal for this prominent-racer but today's race isn't packed with pace and he may be able to get across to the rail and lead without overdoing it; on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(4)

13th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Ayr

Curious Rover

9st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Katie Scott

Won off an 11lb mark at Musselburgh last August (5f, good); hasn't run as well since and below-par over same C&D last time (good); dropped another 3lb so no surprise if he were to go well.

7/1

7th

4

(5)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

16:15 Musselburgh

Curious Rover

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Katie Scott

Gained last season's win over C&D (good); slightly disappointing in first-time blinkers (retained) on AW a week ago but now 2lb lower than when fourth of 17 behind Right And Exact at Thirsk (5f, good) two starts ago.

8/1

4th

5

29th May 2026

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

20:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Curious Rover

9st 8lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Katie Scott

Useful 5f turf form in 2025 but his season slowed down later in the year and he's been below best, despite the reduced mark, this term; 0-3 on Newcastle AW but he did handle that Tapeta earlier in his career, so perhaps the switch to this track might pay off in first-time headgear.

8/1

9/1

Form: -63604 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Creditable sixth of 28 in the 5f 3yo Palace Of Holyrood House Handicap at Royal Ascot (good to firm); not at the same level the next twice but he's not written off, now 3lb lower than at the Royal meeting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(6)

18th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

18:15 Pontefract

Dark Vintage

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Creditable sixth of 28 in the 5f 3yo Palace Of Holyrood House Handicap at Royal Ascot (good to firm); not at the same level the next twice but he's not written off, now 3lb lower than at the Royal meeting.

9/1

4th

3

(3)

3rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 7y

Class 2

19:40 Hamilton

Dark Vintage

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Richard Fahey

No improvement for a sixth furlong and/or slower ground at Newmarket last month; had been threatening something bigger before that though and he's interesting with a stiff 5f likely to suit.

5/1

10th

3

(16)

11th Jul 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Dark Vintage

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Raced exclusively at 5f, on firm ground in the US and on good or faster since joining Richard Fahey; has strongly suggested that a sixth furlong would be beneficial, keeping on stoutly at Royal Ascot three weeks ago, and this mark probably not beyond him; slower ground is an unknown factor but his smart half-brother Kerdos acts on it and his dam recorded her only win on soft; interesting.

10/1

Non-runners

Walbank

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.30
Straight Forecast £25.36
Tricast £139.33
Trifecta £173.10

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Vantheman

THE NORTH:

American Affair

TOPSPEED:

Arecibo

SPOTLIGHT:

Curious Rover

NEWMARKET:

Walbank

The Sun:

American Affair

The Star:

American Affair

The Times:

Vantheman

Telegraph:

Vantheman

The Guardian:

Vantheman

D Express:

Vantheman

Daily Mirror:

Vantheman

Daily Record:

Vantheman

POSTDATA:

Arecibo