September 26 / 14.00 Pontefract

14.00

Good

Season Finale On 21st October Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 0m 5f 3y
  • Class 6
  • 10 runners
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Season Finale On 21st October Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 093146 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Down the field more often than not this year (including the last twice) but he won over C&D (good to firm) in July on his sole visit to Pontefract and is worth a second look now back here; versatile ground-wise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(1)

30th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

16:12 Catterick

Holbache

9st 0lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

Multiple sprint winner who runs here for the first time; 3lb higher than when last winning at Leicester (6f, good to soft) last September; not badly treated on that form but has yet to produce one of his better efforts following a break.

16/1

3rd

3

(5)

21st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Holbache

9st 11lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

Below best at Leicester recently; had won two of his three 6f starts previously but he hasn't run on the AW for over a year and has been better on Polytrack than Tapeta in the past.

7/1

3

(11)

7th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:35 Leicester

Holbache

9st 10lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Julie Camacho

Has returned to 6f for last three races and produced figures of 121; had his race won some way out here four weeks ago (on good) and should go well again despite the 6lb rise.

7/2

7/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 079852 CD

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Had been struggling on turf prior to his good second at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) last Saturday; back on grass today but he won over C&D (soft) in April and rain would aid his cause; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

3

(1)

10th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

15:18 Lingfield (AW)

Alafdhal

9st 9lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Phil McEntee

All wins at 6f up to two years ago but last five successes at 5f, most recently off much the same mark at Wolverhampton before Christmas; has beaten a total of two rivals in his last three starts, however, so more needs to be done back at 6f; cheekpieces refitted in place of a visor.

14/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 262146 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Solid campaign for new yard this season, winning at Beverley (5f, good to firm) last month, and she's also effective on soft going; perhaps unsuited by Catterick last time and could have a big say today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

9

(8)

3rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

17:00 Hamilton

Opal Storm

9st 0lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Brian Rothwell

Arrived late to win at Southwell (5f) and only faded late on at Doncaster last week (good to firm); remains in form and she is proven on a stiff 5f.

7/1

5th

3

(8)

24th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

13:40 Doncaster

Opal Storm

9st 9lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Brian Rothwell

Produced late when winning a 5f handicap at Southwell three weeks ago; has the ability to defy a 3lb rise and she has run well over C&D in the past; one for the shortlist.

10/1

1st

10

(8)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

18:48 Southwell (AW)

Opal Storm

9st 1lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Brian Rothwell

Yet to shine on AW but she has slipped to a tempting mark and last month's return to action (6f) should have blown away any cobwebs; the return to 5f is in her favour too and she could run a big race at a price.

25/1

Form: 229476

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
He has a 2-38 strike-rate and needs to produce more than he's managed the last twice (albeit kicked at the start most recently); however, he's run well over C&D this summer on his two visits to Pontefract (good to firm) and is also effective on soft ground; could be a contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(7)

29th May 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:20 Ripon

Variety Island

9st 4lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Simon Whitaker

Not at his best in two visits to Ripon, including when sixth in the corresponding race 12 months ago; comes here on the back of two good fast-ground runs this year and rain won't faze him.

5/1

9

(7)

29th May 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:20 Ripon

Variety Island

9st 4lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Simon Whitaker

Not at his best in two visits to Ripon, including when sixth in the corresponding race 12 months ago; comes here on the back of two good fast-ground runs this year and rain won't faze him.

5/1

2nd

13

(1)

12th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

13:47 Catterick

Variety Island

8st 11lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Simon Whitaker

led early, soon prominent

9/1

Form: 7-9463 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Has 2-31 strike-rate but he was a fair third at Windsor (5f, good) last Monday and has another career-low mark this afternoon; effective on soft ground early in career; might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(1)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

16:00 Nottingham

Papa Dont Preach

8st 10lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Kevin Frost

Four-time AW winner who is 0-29 on turf but he ran well to finish third over C&D (good; 100-30 favourite) three weeks ago; rallied well in that race and he should be in the thick of things again off only 1lb higher.

3/1

3rd

6

(7)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 6

17:45 Nottingham

Papa Dont Preach

9st 4lb

J: William Pyle

T: Kevin Frost

Led close home to score at Wolverhampton just before Christmas but the handicapper has been winning the argument since; a 0-28 turf record is enough reason to look elsewhere.

10/1

5th

9

(11)

28th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 6

17:00 Southwell (AW)

Papa Dont Preach

9st 2lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Kevin Frost

Led close home to score at Wolverhampton just before Christmas and ran creditably over C&D in February; raced wide from an outside draw back at Wolverhampton last time; that run is best ignored and he can bounce back.

10/1

5/1

Form: 225410 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
Disappointing at Carlisle (6f, soft) a fortnight ago but a good season otherwise and made it three wins for the year (5f/6f, soft/good to firm) at Redcar last month; can play leading role if leaving latest start behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(5)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 110y

Class 6

17:15 Wetherby

Mrs Trump

9st 8lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Paul Midgley

Yet to strike form after two 5f runs this season; now 2lb lower than for the second of last summer's two 6f wins, though, and it probably won't be much longer before she gets back in the groove.

7/1

6th

10

(3)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Mrs Trump

8st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Paul Midgley

Last summer's two wins came over 6f, the second of them off this mark; should come on for her recent return to action but others appeal more for win purposes.

20/1

7th

8

(3)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

16:00 Nottingham

Mrs Trump

8st 11lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Paul Midgley

Five sprint wins but last three have been over 6f and latest was off 2lb lower last summer; has mixed record when fresh and market should guide back at this trip after 170 days off; stablemate of Herakles.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 451575 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Won at Beverley (5f) in July and is just 2lb higher today; however, he hasn't shone on his three starts since and needs to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

(11)

13th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 6

17:30 Musselburgh

Refuge

9st 2lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Posted a second-place finish in May but isn't particularly solid on the rest of his 2025 form; further drop in weights takes him to 10lb below last winning mark.

16/1

6

(1)

1st Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

13:58 Catterick

Refuge

10st 7lb

J: Miss Serena Brotherton

T: Michael & David Easterby

Runner-up at Hamilton (5f, good to firm) in May but he has been below his best in five starts since; needs a return to form with the visor back on for the first time since 2021.

7/1

10th

8

(12)

21st Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 7y

Class 6

14:43 Hamilton

Refuge

9st 0lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Four-time C&D winner; runner-up here in May but not in anything like the same form since and needs to stage a revival.

16/1

Form: 643006

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Third at Wolverhampton (5f, AW) in July but well beaten on her three runs since and now 0-29; blinkers go on; best to look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(3)

30th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

17:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Pink Stripes

8st 10lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Lisa Williamson

30-race maiden; placed over 5f here in July, but precious little to enthuse about since, including when reluctant to load in this headgear combination at Pontefract (5f, good to soft) last Thursday; better to look elsewhere.

25/1

8th

10

(8)

26th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 6

14:00 Pontefract

Pink Stripes

8st 9lb

J: William Pyle

T: Lisa Williamson

Third at Wolverhampton (5f, AW) in July but well beaten on her three runs since and now 0-29; blinkers go on; best to look elsewhere.

40/1

6th

8

(2)

9th Sep 2024

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Pink Stripes

9st 0lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Lisa Williamson

Exposed 28-race maiden; placed over C&D in July and had an excuse here last time; others still much more appealing for win purposes.

16/1

11/2

Form: 950337 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Placed twice in a row on turf this summer (5f, soft/good) and didn't run badly at Newcastle (5f, AW) last time; he's on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(12)

8th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

13:38 Catterick

Latin Five

9st 4lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Paul Midgley

Has run well over C&D, including when a close third in this race 12 months ago, but the track doesn't always lend itself to his hold-up style; drawn widest and could prove vulnerable, for all he is attractively weighted.

7/1

6th

9

(8)

24th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

14:42 Newcastle (AW)

Latin Five

9st 1lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Paul Midgley

Pounced to grab Thank The Lord (who, when factoring in riding arrangements, is now 6lb better off) over C&D three starts back; has lacked the pace to stake a claim in two C&D starts since; likely to need everything to fall his way.

25/1

7th

10

(6)

31st Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Newcastle (AW)

Latin Five

8st 5lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Paul Midgley

Last three wins have come over C&D and latest was off 3lb lower last month; never got involved here last time but that was against a pace bias and he should get a good tow into this race; not ruled out.

12/1

50/1

Form: 300980 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
His mark continues to fall but for good reason and he's hard to fancy on the evidence of his last two runs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

(4)

1st Feb 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:55 Newcastle (AW)

The Princes Poet

9st 0lb

J: Harry Burns

T: Ian McInnes

awkward start, in rear

20/1

11th

10

(4)

1st Feb 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:55 Newcastle (AW)

The Princes Poet

9st 0lb

J: Harry Burns

T: Ian McInnes

awkward start, in rear

20/1

4th

12

(6)

23rd Jan 2025

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

16:06 Newcastle (AW)

The Princes Poet

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian McInnes

squeezed out start, in rear

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.70
Straight Forecast £12.56
Tricast £53.54
Trifecta £81.40

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Alafdhal

POSTDATA:

Holbache

RP RATINGS:

Latin Five

SPOTLIGHT:

Variety Island

The Sun:

Opal Storm

D Express:

Variety Island

The Times:

Alafdhal

The Guardian:

Alafdhal

Daily Mail:

Alafdhal

The Star:

Holbache

Daily Record:

Holbache

Telegraph:

Latin Five

Daily Mirror:

Latin Five