June 08 / 20.00 Pontefract

20.00

Good

Tony Bethell Memorial Handicap

  • Prize money: £3402.1
  • 2m 1f 27y
  • Class 6
  • 12 runners
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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

6th

5

(6)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:10 Newmarket (July)

Laravie

9st 7lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Won three in a row in a visor this spring (1m6f-2m1f, good to firm/good) but she's been well held in last three runs and was a long way behind An Bradan Feasa at Lingfield 13 days ago; visor returns and blinkers are removed.

12/1

3rd

3

(3)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 68y

Class 5

18:15 Lingfield

Laravie

9st 11lb

J: Harry Davies

T: James Owen

Won three in a row in a visor this spring (1m6f-2m1f, good to firm/good) but recent efforts suggest the handicapper may have her measure now; tried in blinkers here; needs to kick on again.

7/2

4th

5

(6)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:20 Sandown

Laravie

9st 1lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

Completed a top-of-the-ground hat-trick this year (1m6f-2m1f) and remains in good form, as a tactical race wouldn't have suited at Yarmouth and she was never ideally positioned after starting slowly last time (finished 8.5l behind the winner); another to consider.

3/1

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

6th

4

(8)

27th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:07 Ffos Las

Merrijig

10st 0lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: John Berry

Second to Golden Flame over C&D (good) before doing some hanging on fast ground at Nottingham; any rain would aid his chance.

9/2

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

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

1st

6

(2)

4th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

13:30 Haydock

Zimmerman

9st 7lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Tim Easterby

Dual winner here (1m4f/2m, soft and heavy) although he was only fifth behind Gentle Warrior in this race last year; generally campaigned over further these days and a falling mark/return to soft ground did the trick when scoring with authority over 2m at Ripon (well backed) on Tuesday; 4lb penalty wouldn't have stopped him then and it might not now.

7/4

1st

2

(5)

1st Sep 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:18 Ripon

Zimmerman

10st 0lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

5-46, but without a win since July 2024 (York); runner-up in added cheekpieces at Catterick (2m, good) in May; soundly beaten at Pontefract (2m1f; beaten 22l) three months ago; mark continues to ease; this stablemate of Bollin Neil has questions to answer.

5/1

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

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

4th

3

(10)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 6

17:20 Ripon

Golden Samba

9st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Tina Jackson

Nine-race maiden for Ed de Giles, best efforts over 1m6f/2m; enough to prove back down sharply in distance on debut for new stable.

14/1

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

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

7th

8

15th Aug 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

17:30 Market Rasen

Arcimboldo

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Poor maiden on the Flat and 150-1 when pulled up here two weeks ago.

100/1

6th

8

(2)

31st Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 6

15:20 Newcastle (AW)

Arcimboldo

8st 4lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Mike Sowersby

Maiden; two fair efforts on the AW towards the end of last year, including a C&D third, but not so good since.

33/1

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

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

5th

7

(7)

27th Aug 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:07 Ffos Las

Simiyann

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Tailed off last time and was no match for the winners of her two previous races; has to raise his game.

6/1

3rd

4

(5)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

18:45 Nottingham

Simiyann

9st 12lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Not as good this year and has looked to have no excuses in some ordinary handicaps of late; only 1lb lower than when well held over 1m6f here 12 days ago and Free World looks his trainer's best chance.

16/1

3rd

3

(3)

30th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:20 Nottingham

Simiyann

9st 4lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Ian Williams

Well treated on the form of his two 2m wins (good to firm and good) in 2025 and although he hasn't been himself this year, the signs were better when he was second of five on this course (2m2f) two weeks ago; has another well-treated rival to contend with today but he should be competitive.

3/1

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

9th

7

(10)

26th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 6

16:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Someones Wish

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Patrick Morris

Versatile sort having won over hurdles, fences and twice on the AW; put up his best effort on this third start for this yard when second of ten in a similar contest at Lingfield (1m4f, Polytrack) eight days ago (a nose in front of Fighting Poet); shortlisted.

3/1

2nd

7

(3)

18th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

15:33 Lingfield (AW)

Someones Wish

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Patrick Morris

A fair winning hurdler/chaser for Gordon Elliott but signed off for that yard out of form and has been beaten a long way on his two runs for current handler; drops into his first classified and needs to show more.

16/1

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

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