July 08 / 15.40 Pontefract

15.40

Good To Firm

Pontefract Park Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap

  • Prize money: £13915.8
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
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Pontefract Park Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £13.10
  • Place: £3.00

Form: 007-98 CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Defied a higher mark last term in the York contest that Rousing Encore won this year; not in the same form since but has a good chance if proving resurgent.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(9)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Ripon

Aleezdancer

9st 6lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

C&D winner; responded well to a change of tactics when making all at Pontefract in July (6f, good); not so good in either start since but not handicapped out of things if bouncing back.

12/1

11

(12)

14th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 111y

Class 2

15:00 Doncaster

Aleezdancer

8st 12lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Inconsistent 6yo who hasn't gone beyond a bare 6f for a long time and finished down the field at York in July when last seen; however, he won at Pontefract (6f, good) earlier that month and has shown some strong form here in the past (including a soft-ground win); could go well.

20/1

12

(2)

26th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Aleezdancer

9st 0lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

C&D winner; exploited his drop down the weights when making all at Pontefract 18 days ago (6f, good); still has handicapping scope despite a 4lb rise; one to consider.

12/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 605038 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Campaigned mostly on AW in 2025, winning once; close third at Epsom in his sole turf outing this year and remains well handicapped on historical data; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(10)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:15 Beverley

Badri

9st 4lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Herrington

Well into the veteran stage but he retains a chunk of ability and considerable enthusiasm, winning for the fourth time this year when beating six rivals at Pontefract (5f, good to firm) last month; runner-up back at Pontefract two weeks ago; this might prove too demanding though.

25/1

2nd

1

(1)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

17:45 Pontefract

Badri

10st 0lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Herrington

He couldn't get into it in a big field at Windsor (6f, good to firm) last Monday but he didn't enjoy an ideal passage and went there on a four-timer following three wins here (6f/5f, good/good to firm); this 9yo could play a leading role back at Pontefract.

5/1

13th

1

(16)

10th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 2

19:15 Windsor

Badri

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Michael Herrington

C&D winner who has had a fantastic run this year, winning his last four races on good to firm ground, over 6f and 5f; at the age of nine he seems to be closing in on his best-ever form and he has won off a slightly higher mark than today's in the past; Oisin Murphy up for the first time; much respected.

11/2

11/4

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 1-1526 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Generally progressive on AW/turf; far from disgraced in big fields at York in last two attempts on grass; possibly hasn't reached his ceiling yet; remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

(19)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Musical Touch

9st 0lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

The winner of two of his three starts in 2026, notably a big-field Class 4 over C&D six weeks ago; 4lb higher in a stronger race and his draw may not be advantageous.

12/1

1st

8

(5)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:25 York

Musical Touch

9st 13lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Sixth to Kats Bob in this race 12 months ago; made a winning return at Southwell in April but disappointing at Ripon next time and needs to bounce back.

20/1

Form: 5-5614 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Regained the winning thread at York's Dante meeting and did well to finish fourth, having met traffic issues, at Epsom since; commands respect in current form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(3)

3rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:54 Ripon

Rousing Encore

9st 3lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Inconsistent and winless this year and well beaten at York (6f, good to firm) recently; however, that was more competitive than this and two starts ago he ran well when third of 17 at Ayr (6f, good); may have a chance.

6/1

19th

14

(18)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:00 York

Rousing Encore

8st 10lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Won a good C&D handicap last year and also successful at Ayr last September; 0-7 in 2026 but he retains all his ability and ran well for third (of 17) at Ayr 19 days ago; high draw a potential stumbling block.

12/1

3rd

5

(5)

6th Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Rousing Encore

10st 1lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Dual C&D winner; finished well for fourth at Carlisle (6f, good to firm) in May but has rather mixed record since returned to turf in April and never really got involved at York last time.

9/1

Form: -11260 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Scored twice during spell in Bahrain and caught the eye in AW event on return to British racing; came up short in the Wokingham since but this is less demanding.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(15)

2nd Aug 2026

Yielding To Soft

0m 7f 0y

16:00 Galway

City House

9st 4lb

J: James Ryan

T: Adrian McGuinness

Yet to win for this yard, but handicapper slow enough to relent; fair fourth to Gleneagle Bay at Cork in June; first time here, which will be an eye-opener for him.

14/1

11th

7

(21)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 63y

14:50 Curragh

City House

9st 6lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Adrian McGuinness

Smart turf form at up to 7f in Bahrain for George Scott early last year; some good runs this year, second to Sir Les Patterson on the AW (6f) in February and close fourth at Chester in May (7.5f, good); no luck in running in the Habitat here (won by Headmaster), again behind that rival at Cork.

12/1

4th

4

(10)

14th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

14:37 Cork

City House

9st 4lb

J: Adam Caffrey

T: Adrian McGuinness

Smart turf form at up to 7f in Bahrain for George Scott early last year; some good runs for current yard this year, second to Sir Les Patterson on the AW (6f) in February and close fourth at Chester in May (7.5f, good); caught the eye when running on late after not getting a clear run in the Habitat at the Curragh (6f, good); could go close.

11/1

Form: 105050 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Similar type to City House, having scored in Bahrain in January and faced a difficult task at Royal Ascot most recently; hasn't won a British contest since 2023.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(9)

2nd Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:33 Kempton (AW)

Spangled Mac

9st 10lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Three good runs over the winter (two of them from five runs in Bahrain) but he has struggled in two 7f runs back in Britain since April; handicapper slow to relent and this step up to 1m isn't sure to spark a revival.

16/1

13th

6

(2)

11th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:30 Newbury

Spangled Mac

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

7yo who was well beaten in Bahrain and at Chester on his last two starts; however, he was drawn wide at Chester and showed some good form in Bahrain in January; he's run really well on both previous attempts at this C&D and is not ruled out each-way off a competitive mark.

20/1

12th

3

(10)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Spangled Mac

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Campaigned back in Bahrain since December, best efforts when placed twice over 6f; well treated on historical data but hasn't won a domestic race since 2023; returns to 7f for first time since last July.

25/1

OUR TIP

16/1

Form: 703-09 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Three wins on French soil; down the field in both runs for new stable and is best watched unless the market suggests a revival is expected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

14

(4)

10th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 2

19:15 Windsor

Purest Time

8st 11lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Smart on his day, as when runner-up to a top 6f handicapper at York (good) last October, and he saw off Desert Cop, Badri and Diligently in some style over C&D in May, despite being switched twice; not so good in two runs since but he's too talented to overlook back on this track.

25/1

9th

10

(2)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:55 Ascot

Purest Time

9st 6lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Ian Williams

First win for nearly two years when he picked up a Windsor handicap (6f, good to firm) off 3lb lower in May and his subsequent effort at Chester, when never competitive, was a puzzling one a fortnight ago; same mark but it would not be a big surprise if he bounced back.

20/1

11/2

Form: 288203 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Landed the Wokingham in 2021 and 2022; on a long losing sequence but ran encouragingly in big field at Newbury most recently; fighting chance off current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19

(10)

6th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Ascot

Rohaan

8st 12lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: David Evans

Has five C&D wins on his resume, including two Wokinghams and two Group 3s; getting on for two years since his last win though and this might be too competitive these days.

14/1

3

(11)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Rohaan

10st 0lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: David Evans

Hold-up sprinter who has been a source of frustration since his last win in October 2023; on a lowly mark and his four C&D runs this year have all been competitive; shouldn't be far away.

9/1

8th

7

(5)

8th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Pontefract

Rohaan

8st 11lb

J: P J McDonald

T: David Evans

Landed the Wokingham in 2021 and 2022; on a long losing sequence but ran encouragingly in big field at Newbury most recently; fighting chance off current mark.

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £68.40
Straight Forecast £67.72
Tricast £227.88
Trifecta £355.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Musical Touch

Telegraph:

Rousing Encore

POSTDATA:

City House

TOPSPEED:

Rohaan

The Times:

Badri

RP RATINGS:

Musical Touch

The Guardian:

Musical Touch

D Express:

Musical Touch

The Sun:

Musical Touch

NEWMARKET:

City House

Daily Mirror:

Rousing Encore

The Star:

Rousing Encore

Daily Record:

Rousing Encore

Daily Mail:

Rohaan