April 30 / 17.10 Pontefract

17.10

Good

Trustees Of The National Horseracing College Handicap

  • Prize money: £3663.8
  • 1m 0f 6y
  • Class 6
  • 11 runners
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Trustees Of The National Horseracing College Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 468-82

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
All three wins have been at Chelmsford; ran her best race for a while when beaten a short head at Southwell last time (1m3f); has shown bits of from on turf, and quite interesting on first run over 1m (has raced mainly over 6f/7f although also tried over 1m3f and 2m).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(3)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

14:45 Pontefract

Anificas Beauty

10st 8lb

J: Miss Lauren Sanders

T: Peter Winks

1m course winner (stays 1m3f) who won back-to-back starts at Beverley (both 8.5f, sound surface) in May/June; below par here (1m, good) on her penultimate start but posted a better effort at Redcar (1m1f, good to firm) latest; needs another step back in the right direction.

14/1

5th

3

(6)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 6

17:17 Redcar

Anificas Beauty

9st 7lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Peter Winks

Bagged a pair of 8.5f Beverley handicaps this summer but she ran poorly in her hat-trick bid at Pontefract (1m) last time; she's the sort to bounce back though.

12/1

7th

1

(4)

29th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:30 Pontefract

Anificas Beauty

9st 12lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Peter Winks

Prevailed by 1l last time to complete a Beverley double; back in good form but she failed in two previous hat-trick attempts and was beaten off 2lb lower (finished fourth) in this race 12 months ago.

11/4

9/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 626627 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Probably better on the AW but won on turf for David O'Meara in July 2021 (6f, good); good second over 1m at Newcastle two runs back and not beaten far when seventh of 13 at Thirsk last week (7f, good to firm).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(8)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Leicester

Odd Socks Havana

9st 6lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

Six of his seven wins have been on AW and yet to win beyond 8.5f; second of 11 at Pontefract (1m, good) ten days ago where he stayed on to suggest this longer trip should suit.

11/2

4th

6

(8)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Leicester

Odd Socks Havana

9st 6lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Seb Spencer

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, headway and pressed leader from over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

11/2

2nd

3

(7)

30th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:10 Pontefract

Odd Socks Havana

9st 5lb

J: David Allan

T: Seb Spencer

Probably better on the AW but won on turf for David O'Meara in July 2021 (6f, good); good second over 1m at Newcastle two runs back and not beaten far when seventh of 13 at Thirsk last week (7f, good to firm).

9/1

9/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: 96864-

Last run: 225 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 53

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden; tried from 1m-1m4f since going handicapping last season, best effort when fourth of eight over 1m4f on AW on final start; unexposed and room for improvement; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(10)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

15:20 Newcastle (AW)

Spring Festival

9st 1lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

No wins in 17 and soundly beaten more often than not this season; runs well now and again but he's very light on AW experience.

16/1

5th

7

(6)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 6

16:10 Musselburgh

Spring Festival

9st 3lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: David O’Meara

16-race maiden; went close in Ayr classified (1m, good) last month but finished well down the field in a subsequent AW handicap (1m2f) and cannot be relied upon heavily; swaps cheekpieces for refitted visor.

8/1

Form: 5815-7 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Won two races last year, the first over 1m at Leicester in July (good to firm); not particularly consistent, but should come on for his reappearance run; worth considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(4)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

15:00 Brighton

First Encounter

9st 9lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: John Gallagher

Dual AW winner (8.4f/1m) in this grade at start of this year; ran as though something was amiss when back on turf last month but has possibilities if back on song.

11/1

11th

11

(2)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 6

20:25 Doncaster

First Encounter

8st 11lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: John Gallagher

Both turf wins have been at 1m on good to firm; has won twice in blinkers on AW this year; although not in top form last twice, these conditions are ideal and could go well on this return to turf.

8/1

4th

1

(6)

7th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

18:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

First Encounter

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Gallagher

Won twice at this level earlier in the year, including C&D; finished behind Gloriola when fifth over C&D three weeks ago; should give a good account.

6/1

Form: 09-898

Last run: 3 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Ex-John Davies; placed over 1m on a couple of occasions in first half of last turf season but form rather tailed off; mainly disappointing for this yard this year (last of eight at Wetherby on Sunday).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

26th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:42 Uttoxeter

Curious Mrs Fox

10st 13lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: David Thompson

Longstanding Flat maiden who is 0-5 over hurdles; beaten about 9l last time at Hexham but she's unconvincing.

14/1

4th

8

21st Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

14:13 Hexham

Curious Mrs Fox

11st 0lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: David Thompson

Unexposed as a hurdler, but was 26l behind Superaudaciaheros over C&D eight days ago (good; 100-1).

33/1

6th

7

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

13:42 Hexham

Curious Mrs Fox

10st 12lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: David Thompson

Placed on her first two starts over hurdles at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) and Market Rasen (2m, good) but failed to build on that when well beaten on handicap debut at Fakenham last month, where the 2m4f may have stretched her stamina; a 3lb drop helps, but she still has something to prove.

20/1

Form: 514347 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 51

Form & Verdict
Won over 1m at Southwell in February and some fair runs on the AW since; won a Brighton handicap for Charlie Johnston in 2023 (1m2f, good to firm) but hasn't fared as well on turf since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

4

(12)

12th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 75y

Class 6

15:15 Beverley

Mickey Mongoose

9st 6lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Olly Williams

Four of his five wins have been on the AW, the latest at Southwell in May (7f; 2lb lower); can be inconsistent and doesn't have the best of draws.

20/1

12th

11

(4)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 2y

Class 6

13:20 Doncaster

Mickey Mongoose

9st 2lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Olly Williams

Two 7f AW wins at Southwell this year but he's not easy to predict and was only fourth of seventh at Newmarket (7f, good) last time; that took his turf record to 1-19 and he has something to prove back at this trip.

10/1

4th

8

(3)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:10 Newmarket

Mickey Mongoose

8st 12lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Olly Williams

Blew the start at Leicester last month when making it 1-18 on turf; however, he won at Southwell (7f, AW) in February and was back on the scoresheet there (7f) last Thursday, and is not ruled out today.

8/1

Form: 494836

Last run: 54 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
14-race maiden; has a chance on his third at Newcastle two runs back (1m), but was disappointing next time; lacks consistency.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(4)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 6

16:45 Ripon

Top Gun Tina

9st 9lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: David Thompson

Record of 1-33 reflects her limitations, certainly over shorter trips; chance largely depends on the effects of this belated second crack at 1m2f.

20/1

4th

7

(10)

4th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 173y

Class 6

18:39 Carlisle

Top Gun Tina

10st 0lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: David Thompson

Three runs here include a neck defeat by stablemate Where's The Crumpet (1m, good to soft) last May and when taking a division of this race (soft) under Gina Mangan last year; that remains her only win and she's been off since April; market may help to decipher if this has been the target.

16/1

5th

14

(5)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Top Gun Tina

9st 0lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: David Thompson

Off the mark at Carlisle (1m) last July but her more recent form is less encouraging and she's finished down the field here (1m/7f) in last three starts; overall record is 1-31 and others are preferred; yard also runs Martin's Brig and Wheres The Crumpet.

20/1

Form: 90426-

Last run: 158 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
14-race maiden; sound run when second in a Redcar handicap last November (1m, soft); lesser run on AW two weeks later and absent since; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

13

(2)

1st Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:48 Ripon

Penny Ghent

9st 2lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Simon Whitaker

Landed back-to-back handicaps over C&D and at Beverley (8.5f) in May; recorded a good third of seven at Redcar (1m) last time so can't be dismissed.

10/1

3rd

3

(2)

29th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

16:50 Redcar

Penny Ghent

9st 7lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Simon Whitaker

Off the mark when making all at Ripon (1m, good) in May and followed up at Beverley (8.5f, good to firm) next time; faded into eighth of 11 at Doncaster (1m, good to firm) 11 days ago but may get an easier time of things in front this time.

7/1

8th

2

(5)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 6

20:25 Doncaster

Penny Ghent

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Simon Whitaker

In good form, winning at Ripon (1m, good) and Beverley (8.5f, good to firm) before a decent third off this mark (10lb higher than second win) back at Beverley last time (8.5f, good to firm); should go well.

6/1

Form: 63400-

Last run: 188 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Hasn't the best of strike-rates; ran a couple of fair races when in the frame at Ripon and Newcastle last August, but ended the season on a low-key note; best form over further.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(5)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 6

17:20 Ripon

Tiberio Force

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Simon Whitaker

Has broadly regressed this year, including in C&D handicaps; successful in this race 12 months ago but was in much better form at the time; revival is needed.

14/1

9th

15

(1)

15th Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 6

17:05 Ripon

Tiberio Force

9st 0lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Simon Whitaker

Finished third in this race 12 months ago (seven ran) before winning over C&D nine days later; unplaced in four runs this year and others look stronger.

25/1

8th

7

(9)

31st Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

14:10 Newcastle (AW)

Tiberio Force

9st 9lb

J: Andrew Elliott

T: Simon Whitaker

Out of the frame in three starts on turf since returning in May, but drops to this level for the first time since winning at Ripon (1m2f, good) just under a year ago; can't be ruled out.

7/1

11th
7 (6)
Likeashadow

14/1

Form: 0-909P D

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 46

Form & Verdict
Saddle slipped when pulled up last time; best form on the AW and hasn't been running well enough before that to suggest he can take this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(6)

30th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:10 Pontefract

Likeashadow

9st 0lb

J: Sam James

T: Alan Brown

Saddle slipped when pulled up last time; best form on the AW and hasn't been running well enough before that to suggest he can take this.

14/1

11th

7

(6)

30th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

17:10 Pontefract

Likeashadow

9st 0lb

J: Sam James

T: Alan Brown

Saddle slipped when pulled up last time; best form on the AW and hasn't been running well enough before that to suggest he can take this.

14/1

10

(6)

24th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

16:20 Beverley

Likeashadow

8st 9lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Alan Brown

Ran well on AW as recently as last November and he's tumbled down the weights since, but for good reason; needs to get back on track.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 389

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 55

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish; 17l third over 1m2f at Dundalk in January but seemed to better that last time when 7.5l ninth of 13 on stable debut at Kempton (7f); bit to prove on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

11

(15)

20th Aug 2022

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:10 York

Good Eye

9st 0lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Jessica Long

prominent towards near side, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out

25/1

10th

10

(16)

17th Aug 2022

Good To Firm

0m 5f 89y

Class 2

13:50 York

Good Eye

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: Jessica Long

towards near side, never better than mid-division

14/1

4th

20

(26)

30th Jul 2022

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Goodwood

Good Eye

8st 13lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Jessica Long

raced near side, led against near rail, ridden when groups merged 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon rallied, kept on final 110yds

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £30.40
Straight Forecast £32.73
Tricast £297.04
Trifecta £281.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

First Encounter

POSTDATA:

Top Gun Tina

RP RATINGS:

Mickey Mongoose

Telegraph:

Anificas Beauty

Daily Mail:

Good Eye

The Times:

Spring Festival

The Sun:

Penny Ghent

D Express:

Top Gun Tina

The Star:

First Encounter

Daily Record:

First Encounter

Daily Mirror:

Mickey Mongoose

The Guardian:

Anificas Beauty