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

3rd

8

(6)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:55 Goodwood

Dream Composer

9st 1lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Tony Carroll

Dual course winner who isn't too fussy about the ground; had a quiet spell for last trainer but has taken advantage of a handy mark for new yard this year, winning twice over 5f, and he looked to be still in form at Windsor (6f) 19 days ago; shouldn't be far away.

8/1

4th

13

(7)

10th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 2

19:15 Windsor

Dream Composer

8st 11lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Multiple wins include two over 5f for new yard this year, the first under Myla Coppins and the second on this track; did win once over 6f back in 2022 but it's a long time since he played a part over this trip.

16/1

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

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

12th

2

(4)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

American Affair

10st 1lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Said goodbye to handicaps when winning over C&D in May 2025 and just two runs later he won the Group 1 King Charles III at Royal Ascot (good to firm; handles good to soft); off the track for nearly a year after and he's been slowly working his way back to form since, looking more his old self when winning a Group 2 at Glorious Goodwood latest; a likely force.

7/1

1st

2

(9)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

American Affair

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Won the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm) last June then missed the rest of the season; mixed form this year but he showed spark when second to Night Raider at Haydock in May and today's expected frenetic gallop will be right up his street; not ruled out.

11/1

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

5

(3)

29th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

13:45 Beverley

Trilby

9st 4lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

C&D winner last spring who has largely been in good nick since cheekpieces went on in May, winning at Haydock (his fourth win there) and also at Carlisle (5f, good to soft) in June; has never won off a mark this high but he ran well from it at Hamilton last time and soft ground would hold no fears; should be on the premises.

9/2

4th

2

(12)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

20:00 Hamilton

Trilby

9st 9lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Sam England

Has won twice this year (both when ridden by P J McDonald), at Haydock (5f, soft) in May and Carlisle (5f, good to soft) in June; well beaten at York (6f, good to firm) last time, but that was a 0-105 and he wasn't best drawn; drops back down in grade and should have this run to suit.

10/1

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

5th

6

(5)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

18:45 Hamilton

Vantheman

9st 10lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Has done well since the blinkers went on but appears to have no margin for error off this mark, 2lb above his win in May; behind two of these here last time.

6/1

5th

7

(9)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 2

19:30 Hamilton

Vantheman

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Back in form since fitted with blinkers, scoring over C&D (good) in May; has reached the frame on all three outings since, although latest fourth of seven at Pontefract was no more than respectable.

11/1

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

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

4th

5

(5)

31st Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

19:25 Musselburgh

Curious Rover

9st 4lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Katie Scott

Won the corresponding race 12 months ago off 6lb higher; back to winning ways when seeing off ten rivals at Ayr (5f, good to firm; made all) 18 days ago; this is a higher grade but the horse he beat last time ran well at Goodwood on Tuesday; not ruled out.

7/2

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

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