June 08 / 20.00 Pontefract

20.00

Good

Tony Bethell Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £3402.1
  • 2m 1f 27y
  • Class 6
  • 12 runners
RTV
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Tony Bethell Memorial Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

1st
2 (2)
Laravie

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 749511

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Four-time hurdle winner who has won her last two Flat races, comfortably defying a penalty at the expense of Zimmerman at Catterick (2m, good); 6lb rise isn't the end of the world, especially in view of her hurdling ability.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(3)

4th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 47y

Class 5

20:09 Carlisle

Laravie

10st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: James Owen

Four-time hurdle scorer and has collected three Flat wins this spring (1m6f-2m1f); turned over at very short odds at Yarmouth (1m6f, good to firm) 16 days ago but the emphasis in that three-runner race was more on speed than ideal for a mare who has won over just short of 3m over timber; can show she's still on a good mark back at 2m+.

11/10

2nd

1

(2)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 17y

Class 5

13:30 Yarmouth

Laravie

9st 13lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: James Owen

Unexposed on the Flat and she made it 3-3 in turf handicaps with an easy Pontefract (2m1f, good) win ten days ago; a slow start there meant she couldn't dominate as she had at Salisbury and Catterick beforehand; 4lb well in under a penalty; obvious chance.

1/3

8/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 320-14 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
Won by 5.5l over the extended 2m5f here before getting outpaced in a sprint finish back over 2m at Newcastle; remains in good form and entitled to feature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

21st Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

16:43 Hexham

Lady Phoebe

10st 12lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

0-7 over hurdles but ran quite well when fourth at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in March and her subsequent 2m5f Flat win makes her of strong interest over this new trip.

6/1

2nd

7

(11)

8th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

20:00 Pontefract

Lady Phoebe

8st 12lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Adam Nicol

Won by 5.5l over the extended 2m5f here before getting outpaced in a sprint finish back over 2m at Newcastle; remains in good form and entitled to feature.

8/1

4th

1

(2)

19th May 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

14:30 Newcastle (AW)

Lady Phoebe

9st 9lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Adam Nicol

Not achieved much in previous visits here but always over shorter and she's been found the right race having won comfortably over the extended 2m5f at Pontefract four weeks ago; holds obvious claims upped 5lb.

7/4

8/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 4471-6 D BF

Last run: 63 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Was 2-3 on the AW until disappointing at Kempton two months ago but he had been running well in the blinkers (reapplied) and he's a three-time turf winner on a competitive mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(4)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 208y

Class 5

15:27 Nottingham

Merrijig

9st 7lb

J: Jason Watson

T: John Berry

Adaptable regarding ground and tactics; this looks less competitive than the Ffos Las 0-65 in which he finished second last time (hampered; two of these behind) and his claims are obvious.

7/4

2nd

2

(2)

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

20:39 Ffos Las

Merrijig

9st 8lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Done a lot of his winning later in the year but offered more in the returning blinkers last time, back from a couple of months off; boasts a decent record when dipping below 0-70 company and won't mind any rain.

5/1

3rd

1

(1)

8th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

20:00 Pontefract

Merrijig

9st 9lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Was 2-3 on the AW until disappointing at Kempton two months ago but he had been running well in the blinkers (reapplied) and he's a three-time turf winner on a competitive mark.

8/1

12/1

Form: 218482

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Kept on well to finish ahead of Lady Phoebe at Newcastle (2m) but he's inconsistent and has yet to prove himself on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(4)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 0y

Class 6

20:25 Ayr

Angelardo

9st 1lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Won at Newcastle (2m, AW) in March and went close over that C&D last month but was well held when fourth behind Laravie at Pontefract (2m1f, good) 11 days ago and still needs to prove himself on turf.

33/1

4th

9

(6)

8th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

20:00 Pontefract

Angelardo

8st 8lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Liam Bailey

Kept on well to finish ahead of Lady Phoebe at Newcastle (2m) but he's inconsistent and has yet to prove himself on turf.

12/1

2nd

3

(5)

19th May 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

14:30 Newcastle (AW)

Angelardo

9st 4lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Liam Bailey

Inconsistent but likes it here (C&D winner in March off 4lb lower) and should fare better, the blinkers experiment having been binned following a below-par effort last time.

6/1

25/1

Form: /54-48

Last run: 32 days

W: 8st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles in March but hasn't offered a great deal since, in that discipline and back on the Flat; has become hard to predict.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(7)

8th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

20:00 Pontefract

Cold Henry

8st 5lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Sara Ender

Won over hurdles in March but hasn't offered a great deal since, in that discipline and back on the Flat; has become hard to predict.

25/1

8th

8

(9)

7th May 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

21:00 Southwell (AW)

Cold Henry

8st 13lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Sara Ender

Made all over hurdles at Catterick in March but pulled up at Hexham next time; bounced back to form returned to the Flat nine days ago, keeping on into fourth over this C&D; each-way chance.

14/1

4th

8

(6)

28th Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

16:35 Southwell (AW)

Cold Henry

9st 3lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: Sara Ender

Returns to the Flat after showing mixed form over hurdles; placed three times in seven visits here including over this trip, but others are more compelling.

11/1

OUR TIP

11/2

Form: 38-623

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Should be well handicapped and has run well in defeat with cheekpieces added (joining regular tongue-tie) in last two races, behind Laravie in the penultimate one; surprising to see the blinkers back on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(4)

8th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

20:00 Pontefract

Zimmerman

9st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Should be well handicapped and has run well in defeat with cheekpieces added (joining regular tongue-tie) in last two races, behind Laravie in the penultimate one; surprising to see the blinkers back on.

11/2

3rd

2

(4)

21st May 2026

Good

1m 7f 217y

Class 6

14:20 Musselburgh

Zimmerman

11st 1lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

Solid effort when second of eight at Catterick ten days ago (2m, good; first run in this combination of accessories); should remain competitive.

11/2

2nd

2

(4)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:30 Catterick

Zimmerman

9st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

The odd sign of spark last season and he may have needed his recent comeback run; down to a dangerous mark but this 7yo has been regressive and is winless since July 2024; cheekpieces return for first time since last May.

6/1

12/1

Form: 63-843

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced and first run at 2m when beaten a shade under 6l at Lingfield (good), though could have been flattered from the front; others have more concrete claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(6)

29th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 6

20:45 Kempton (AW)

Golden Samba

8st 10lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Ed de Giles

Just behind Balgowan from the front at Lingfield (turf) six weeks ago before giving herself no chance of seeing it out last time (testing 2m1f) thanks to pulling too hard; may well get her own way if that's the plan and should fare better.

6/1

7th

11

(9)

8th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

20:00 Pontefract

Golden Samba

8st 4lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Ed de Giles

Lightly raced and first run at 2m when beaten a shade under 6l at Lingfield (good), though could have been flattered from the front; others have more concrete claims.

12/1

3rd

11

(3)

18th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 68y

Class 6

14:50 Lingfield

Golden Samba

8st 8lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Ed de Giles

Lightly raced maiden who hasn't achieved much in two runs back this year, latterly when a remote fourth of five back on turf.

16/1

14/1

Form: 573116

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Won 1m6f/2m handicaps on yielding when trained in Ireland; added two more on the AW for this yard before an underwhelming run at Carlisle where perhaps the ground was too soft; he's another with each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(10)

8th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

20:00 Pontefract

Charlie Darling

9st 6lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Alan Brown

Won 1m6f/2m handicaps on yielding when trained in Ireland; added two more on the AW for this yard before an underwhelming run at Carlisle where perhaps the ground was too soft; he's another with each-way claims.

14/1

6th

7

(5)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 32y

Class 5

15:30 Carlisle

Charlie Darling

8st 10lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Alan Brown

Has gradually found his feet on AW for new yard since returning from lengthy absence and gained neck wins at Southwell (2m) the last twice; at the top of his game and he was effective on turf in Ireland.

6/1

1st

1

(7)

7th May 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

21:00 Southwell (AW)

Charlie Darling

9st 10lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Alan Brown

Bounced back from a lesser effort when third of eight here last month and built on that to record his first success for this stable over C&D nine days ago; lively contender under a 5lb penalty.

4/1

25/1

Form: 23-544

Last run: 113 days

W: 8st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Started off for Mike Sowersby with three good runs last autumn (all 2m, Tapeta) but his form then dipped and he's returning from a lengthy break; remains a maiden.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

13:35 Market Rasen

Arcimboldo

10st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

0-11 on the Flat and has been contesting low-grade handicaps at about 2m; unlikely to be winning this on hurdle debut.

100/1

9th

12

(12)

8th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

20:00 Pontefract

Arcimboldo

8st 4lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Mike Sowersby

Started off for Mike Sowersby with three good runs last autumn (all 2m, Tapeta) but his form then dipped and he's returning from a lengthy break; remains a maiden.

25/1

4th

6

(5)

15th Feb 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 5

14:12 Newcastle (AW)

Arcimboldo

8st 5lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Mike Sowersby

Nine-race maiden; started off for Mike Sowersby with three good runs in the autumn (all 2m, Tapeta) but form has dipped recently and he's out of the weights in this higher-grade race; needs help from the new cheeekpieces.

8/1

14/1

Form: 334-60

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Two 2m wins last year on good and faster ground; a return to hurdling stalled his progress and hasn't been at his best back on the Flat in his last two races, though 1m4f was on the short side after a break at Newbury; could stage a revival.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(3)

17th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 1f 208y

Class 5

15:27 Nottingham

Simiyann

9st 1lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Better expected last time, after two poor efforts and back to the visor from cheekpieces, but ran below market expectations in finishing behind Merrijig; 2lb better off today but has work to do if he's to turn things round.

3/1

4th

5

(4)

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

20:39 Ffos Las

Simiyann

9st 4lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

C&D win last August came off an 8lb higher mark; the booking of Billy Loughnane will draw some in, back to the visor worn for his two AW victories, but two poor efforts on turf lately will need overlooking.

12/1

10th

4

(5)

8th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

20:00 Pontefract

Simiyann

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ian Williams

Two 2m wins last year on good and faster ground; a return to hurdling stalled his progress and hasn't been at his best back on the Flat in his last two races, though 1m4f was on the short side after a break at Newbury; could stage a revival.

14/1

Form: 0336-9

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 52

Form & Verdict
A fair winning hurdler/chaser for Gordon Elliott but signed off for that yard out form and was beaten a long way on yard debut on the AW (1m4f).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

(8)

8th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

20:00 Pontefract

Someones Wish

8st 10lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Patrick Morris

A fair winning hurdler/chaser for Gordon Elliott but signed off for that yard out form and was beaten a long way on yard debut on the AW (1m4f).

25/1

9th

13

29th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:05 Wolverhampton (AW)

Someones Wish

10st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Loughnane

T: Patrick Morris

Course scorer (for Robert Eddery) in 2023; a fair winning hurdler/chaser for Gordon Elliott since but pulled up over hurdles at Perth last month on final run for yard; more needed for his new stable.

25/1

10

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

16:10 Perth

Someones Wish

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Gordon Elliott

Dual AW Flat winner who has won a chase and a handicap hurdle at Downpatrick since joining Gordon Elliott; hasn't been at his best since winning over hurdles in October (2m1f, yielding); stable has a fine record here.

12/1

Form: 121-34 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
A three-time winner at up to 2m under varying tactics; hasn't run at all badly in his two races this campaign and couldn't rule out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(2)

4th Jul 2026

Good

2m 1f 47y

Class 5

20:09 Carlisle

Rupert The Prince

9st 10lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: Rebecca Menzies

A three-time winner at up to 2m under varying tactics; two respectable efforts at Ripon this spring but weakened quickly and tailed off at Pontefract latest; can only watch after that.

9/1

12th

6

(3)

8th Jun 2026

Good

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

20:00 Pontefract

Rupert The Prince

9st 5lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Rebecca Menzies

A three-time winner at up to 2m under varying tactics; hasn't run at all badly in his two races this campaign and couldn't rule out.

7/1

4th

7

(3)

17th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:17 Ripon

Rupert The Prince

9st 1lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won three times (once from rear, twice making all) at up to 2m last term on the Flat for Paddy Butler; remote this year in his two hurdle races (three-runner race last time) but he was a fair third over C&D (a head behind No More Bolero) in between and peak form gives him a good shout.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £22.40
Straight Forecast £16.48
Tricast £123.39
Trifecta £200.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Laravie

RP RATINGS:

Rupert The Prince

TOPSPEED:

Simiyann

The Guardian:

Golden Samba

D Express:

Merrijig

The Times:

Rupert The Prince

POSTDATA:

Laravie

NEWMARKET:

Laravie

Telegraph:

Laravie

Daily Mail:

Laravie

Daily Mirror:

Laravie

The Star:

Laravie

Daily Record:

Laravie

The Sun:

Simiyann