May 22 / 19.52 Pontefract

19.52

Good To Soft

Thank You Alexia And Good Luck Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 2m 1f 27y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
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Thank You Alexia And Good Luck Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 0-2211

Last run: 5 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Improved for a step up in trip and then cheekpieces, getting off the mark at Southwell (1m6f) last month and following up at Ripon on Sunday (2m, good); escapes a penalty for that win and today's further rise in distance could spark additional progress; possible he could do with the ground drying out a bit but he's on the up and should make a bold bid to complete his hat-trick.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(6)

21st Jun 2026

Good

2m 2f 2y

Class 4

15:35 Pontefract

Trojan Soldier

9st 2lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Unraced on firmer than good; seconds were becoming a habit before the cheekpieces went on and he won at Southwell (1m6f, AW), Ripon (2m, good) and Pontefract (2m1f, good to soft) on last three outings; latest (after five days off) saw him assert by about 4l in the final 1f and the four-timer may well be beckoning despite 5lb rise.

6/4

1st

4

(2)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Trojan Soldier

8st 13lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Improved for a step up in trip and then cheekpieces, getting off the mark at Southwell (1m6f) last month and following up at Ripon on Sunday (2m, good); escapes a penalty for that win and today's further rise in distance could spark additional progress; possible he could do with the ground drying out a bit but he's on the up and should make a bold bid to complete his hat-trick.

2/1

1st

3

(1)

17th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:17 Ripon

Trojan Soldier

9st 12lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Runner-up in four of his first five handicaps before finally cracking it in a four-runner race at Southwell (1m6f, AW) in April; that was in first-time cheekpieces (retained) but by just a nose, leading on the post; stays 2m and he's a player if transferring this year's improvement back to turf.

7/2

2/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 3254-2 BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
0-6 but he has recorded an RPR of 84 or more in each of his last five starts; beaten at odds-on at Doncaster on his reappearance (1m4f, good to firm) four weeks ago; stepping up to a marathon trip could prompt further progress, as could the new cheekpieces; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

(11)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 137y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Sea Of Kings

8st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Harry Eustace

Seven-race maiden, with four seconds including at Doncaster (1m4f; odds-on) and Pontefract (2m1f; made most in first-time cheekpieces) on his two starts this season; reverts to just a tongue-tie and relatively unexposed as a stayer but others have to be more persuasive.

16/1

2nd

1

(7)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Sea Of Kings

9st 9lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

0-6 but he has recorded an RPR of 84 or more in each of his last five starts; beaten at odds-on at Doncaster on his reappearance (1m4f, good to firm) four weeks ago; stepping up to a marathon trip could prompt further progress, as could the new cheekpieces; shortlisted.

2/1

2nd

5

(7)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 197y

Class 4

19:15 Doncaster

Sea Of Kings

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: Harry Eustace

Shaped well without getting his head in front last season, signing off with a good fourth in the Melrose at York in August; this brother to the Irish Oaks winner Sea Of Class has since been gelded and looks a good prospect for 2026; player.

6/4

10/1

Form: 766933

Last run: 5 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Comes here on the back of two third-place finishes but the latest was behind Trojan Soldier and there is no obvious reason why the placings would be reversed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(3)

25th Aug 2026

Good

2m 2f 28y

Class 4

15:45 Musselburgh

Vaguely Royal

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Exploited a reduced mark to win at Chester (1m6f, good) last month and he followed up at York (2m, good to firm), both in this visor in which he's unexposed; remains well treated on his old form and he's a key player.

11/2

1st

10

(4)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

18:05 York

Vaguely Royal

8st 12lb

J: William Buick

T: Ian Williams

Some good runs in defeat this spring at up to 2m1f and he bounced back from his Newbury flop to win at Chester (1m6f, good) a fortnight ago; he was given a good ride last time but could still be a force today up 4lb.

7/1

1st

6

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 87y

Class 4

17:32 Chester

Vaguely Royal

9st 1lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Dual-purpose performer but his last Flat win was in December 2023; some creditable efforts off a falling mark on AW (2m) and turf (1m6f) this season but he was tailed off at Newbury last time and needs to bounce back after that; cheekpieces are removed and visor returns.

10/1

Form: 72316- C BF

Last run: 211 days

W: 8st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Improved as his stamina was drawn out last season, winning over 2m2f here in October (soft); below par on extremely deep ground at Nottingham when last seen 211 days ago but that is not the run to judge him on; unlikely he has reached his ceiling and he's an interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(5)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

16:37 Chester

Action Pact

8st 10lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Michael & David Easterby

Stout stayer who was placed over C&D (good) in September and opened his account at Pontefract (2m2f, soft) the following month; made a low-key reappearance last month but has possibilities if that run brought him on.

10/1

4th

6

(5)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Action Pact

8st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Improved as his stamina was drawn out last season, winning over 2m2f here in October (soft); below par on extremely deep ground at Nottingham when last seen 211 days ago but that is not the run to judge him on; unlikely he has reached his ceiling and he's an interesting contender.

4/1

20/1

Form: 72-640 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Quirky and sometimes blows the start; on a reduced mark and retains some ability but he is not the obvious solution to this puzzle.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

2nd Aug 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 160y

13:50 Galway

Wahraan

11st 0lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Jessica Bedi

In terrific form of late, winning 2m3f Market Rasen handicap hurdle in May (good) and returned from a short break when strong-finishing neck second (clear of remainder) of 19 in 2m1f flat handicap here on Wednesday; clearly handles the track, should go well.

4/1

2nd

20

(13)

29th Jul 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 110y

20:20 Galway

Wahraan

9st 7lb

J: Leigh Roche

T: Jessica Bedi

Three flat wins for various trainers in Britain and off the mark over hurdles for current trainer in 2m3f Market Rasen maiden in late May (good); had earlier not looked a straightforward ride on occasions; has had a break since.

14/1

1st

4

28th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 4

18:00 Market Rasen

Wahraan

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Jessica Bedi

Has some useful Flat form and kept on steadily from a long way off the pace to take third on hurdle debut at Wetherby (2m, soft) in November; subsequent Grade 2 defeat is easily overlooked but he has become a very awkward ride, often refusing to settle and/or hanging; comes with risk.

2/1

Form: 2855-5 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Ran away with a 2m2f handicap here last April; not quite so good since, including when well held back on the Flat at Ripon last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(6)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Diamand De Vindecy

8st 7lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Robert Bevis

Ran away with a 2m2f handicap here last April; not quite so good since, including when well held back on the Flat at Ripon last month.

14/1

5th

3

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ripon

Diamand De Vindecy

9st 11lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Robert Bevis

Arrives fit from hurdling and some of his best Flat form last year came in April, winning at Pontefract before second over C&D (both good).

7/1

5th

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Diamand De Vindecy

11st 5lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Robert Bevis

Nine-race maiden over hurdles but has placed form and he won six on the Flat; made a bright start over fences in January but didn't fancy it at Huntingdon and refused early; the cheekpieces are off but wouldn't be a surprise to see him run well.

8/1

OUR TIP

12/1

Form: 5769-6

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Made a winning start for this yard in a novice handicap chase at Southwell (2m4f, soft) last November; finished a long way behind Sea Of Kings at Doncaster on his return to the Flat four weeks ago; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

24th Jul 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:25 Uttoxeter

Maghlaak

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Made a winning start for current yard over fences at Southwell (2m4f) in November but only eighth back hurdling in 2m7f handicap here 17 days ago; visor and tongue-tie are retried now.

50/1

8th

8

7th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 3

15:00 Uttoxeter

Maghlaak

11st 2lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Made a winning start for this yard in a novice handicap chase last November but pulled up in his final chase and has finished last in two subsequent Flat starts; capable hurdler but hardly returns to this discipline at the top of his game.

25/1

7th

2

(3)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 27y

Class 4

19:52 Pontefract

Maghlaak

9st 8lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: Mark Walford

Made a winning start for this yard in a novice handicap chase at Southwell (2m4f, soft) last November; finished a long way behind Sea Of Kings at Doncaster on his return to the Flat four weeks ago; others appeal more.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.00
Straight Forecast £6.41
Trifecta £22.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Trojan Soldier

The Times:

Sea Of Kings

TOPSPEED:

Maghlaak

Telegraph:

Sea Of Kings

The Guardian:

Sea Of Kings

Daily Mail:

Sea Of Kings

D Express:

Sea Of Kings

RP RATINGS:

Trojan Soldier

POSTDATA:

Trojan Soldier

Daily Mirror:

Trojan Soldier

The Sun:

Trojan Soldier

The Star:

Trojan Soldier

Daily Record:

Trojan Soldier