June 29 / 14.30 Pontefract

14.30

Good

Racing TV Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap

  • Prize money: £3476.9
  • 1m 2f 5y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Racing TV Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.00
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 4534-1 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Stuck his neck in front in the final strides over C&D (good) on seasonal debut, ending a three-year losing spell; still well handicapped on peak form and commands respect under very promising young amateur Henry Callan, who has built up an impressive strike-rate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(1)

7th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:22 Newmarket (July)

Shimmering Sands

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Michael & David Easterby

All five victories have come over a stiff 1m2f so he has that in his favour, including two round Pontefract in June; never won off a mark this high, though, and an 8lb rise for a wide-margin success in an amateurs' handicap last time will test him.

4/1

1st

2

(2)

29th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

14:30 Pontefract

Shimmering Sands

11st 1lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: Michael & David Easterby

Stuck his neck in front in the final strides over C&D (good) on seasonal debut, ending a three-year losing spell; still well handicapped on peak form and commands respect under very promising young amateur Henry Callan, who has built up an impressive strike-rate.

5/2

OUR TIP

5/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 55-051 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Prevailed narrowly at Ripon (1m2f, good) last time, recording first win since 2024; no spring chicken, being an 8yo, but he's technically still unexposed over this trip and remains well treated on historical data; should remain competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(3)

18th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 4

15:53 Ripon

Yermanthere

9st 4lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

8yo who capitalised on a reduced mark to win over C&D (good) last month before 7l second to easy winner in amateur jockeys' race at Pontefract (1m2f, good); he's not ruled out back here.

9/2

2nd

1

(6)

29th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

14:30 Pontefract

Yermanthere

11st 2lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

Prevailed narrowly at Ripon (1m2f, good) last time, recording first win since 2024; no spring chicken, being an 8yo, but he's technically still unexposed over this trip and remains well treated on historical data; should remain competitive.

5/1

1st

4

(3)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:50 Ripon

Yermanthere

9st 6lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

No win since August 2024, and he's yet to score beyond 7.5f, with a Flat record of 0-5 at 8.5f plus; this easing mark is helpful though, and he wasn't too far behind the reopposing King Of Fury at Carlisle (1m1f, soft; 6-1) ten days ago; stablemate of the veteran Poets Dawn.

8/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: -34184

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Campaigned mostly at up to 8.5f and has seemed ideally suited by Beverley/Newcastle, having registered all of his top-two finishes at those venues; doesn't look the answer in this scenario.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(4)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 6

14:45 Carlisle

Tees George

9st 11lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Adrian Nicholls

Resumed winning ways at Beverley (8.5f) in April and has continued in good form, runner-up in 1m Redcar handicap 13 days ago; winner has gone in since so a bold showing is on the cards off an unchanged mark.

9/4

2nd

1

(6)

29th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

16:50 Redcar

Tees George

9st 9lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

Both wins have been over 8.5f at Beverley, the most recent in April off 1lb lower than today; has been running respectably recently and drops back down in grade with solid claims.

5/2

4th

3

(1)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 75y

Class 5

17:55 Nottingham

Tees George

9st 6lb

J: Shay Farmer

T: Adrian Nicholls

In decent nick at present, winning his third race when scoring at Beverley (8.5, good to firm) in April off 2lb lower; made the frame on his two starts last month and holds place claims.

3/1

14/1

Form: 8635U3

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Has performed respectably in last two attempts under Evie Lee, finishing third both times, including latest start; however, continues on a long losing run, partly exemplified by being 0-14 for current stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(10)

11th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Lingfield (AW)

Wrist Art

9st 9lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: James Owen

One of his better efforts when runner-up in an amateurs' event at Windsor (11.4f, good to firm) eight days ago, but is 0-15 on the AW and 2-50 overall; may again find one or two too good.

5/1

2nd

7

(1)

3rd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 5

18:00 Windsor

Wrist Art

9st 11lb

J: Miss Evie Lee

T: James Owen

Has run well on good to firm but looks best on a softer surface; either way a record of 2-49 sounds a note of caution; out of the weights.

14/1

Form: 6-9538 CD

Last run: 51 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Had wind surgery (his third) since last run; form at Pontefract features a success last August (off 2lb higher; one of three wins under Charli Parker) and best effort this season; record of 0-19 when racing above Class 6 is the negative.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(6)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

14:45 Pontefract

Star Start

10st 11lb

J: Miss Charli Parker

T: Ruth Carr

Held up when winning this last year (good to firm) off 4lb higher mark; returns in good form after being placed twice at Beverley (1m2f, good to firm) on his last two starts; major contender.

2/1

2nd

6

(1)

28th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

13:35 Beverley

Star Start

10st 8lb

J: Miss Charli Parker

T: Ruth Carr

Dead-heated in this race last season (1lb lower), and having run his best race since a wind op when a close third over C&D last time (Sunny Orange second) is one to consider.

9/2

3rd

5

(6)

14th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

15:48 Beverley

Star Start

9st 6lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Two wins last season, the first a dead-heat over C&D in July (good to firm); rather patchy form this season, best run when third at Pontefract in April (1m, good); a possible on second run back after wind op.

14/1

Form: 936535 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Has largely respectable form this term, most recently fifth to Shimmering Sands over C&D; weighted to get closer to that rival on the revised terms and is on an attractive mark; still seeking first handicap win away from Beverley but can't be dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(3)

12th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 5

16:15 Beverley

Princess Niyla

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Alan Brown

3-40 so not easy to win with, but last two victories have come over C&D and she was close up over 1m at Doncaster last time.

13/2

3rd

4

(9)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 6

20:25 Doncaster

Princess Niyla

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Alan Brown

Two of three wins over 1m2f at Beverley, the latest in May 2025; some fair efforts at 1m-1m4f this season; on a decent mark now.

12/1

5th

2

(4)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 6

16:30 Doncaster

Princess Niyla

9st 13lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Alan Brown

Having her 39th race and still seeking first win away from Beverley; has run some fair races this season but not last time and others appeal more.

12/1

11/4

Form: 67-152

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 3yo whose form since handicapping features a reappearance win at Redcar (1m) in April and keeping-on second at Carlisle (1m1f) last time; may still have further progress in him and this return to 1m2f is worth a go; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

(8)

1st Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 5

20:30 Hamilton

Ephron

9st 1lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Gemma Tutty

Low-mileage 3yo whose form since handicapping features a reappearance win at Redcar (1m) in April and keeping-on second at Carlisle (1m1f, good to soft) in June; beaten by more than lack of stamina over 1m2f at Pontefract since, though.

13/2

7th

7

(3)

29th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

14:30 Pontefract

Ephron

10st 4lb

J: Miss Amy Collier

T: Gemma Tutty

Low-mileage 3yo whose form since handicapping features a reappearance win at Redcar (1m) in April and keeping-on second at Carlisle (1m1f) last time; may still have further progress in him and this return to 1m2f is worth a go; shortlisted.

11/4

2nd

5

(2)

9th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

20:42 Carlisle

Ephron

9st 6lb

J: Jake Dickson

T: Gemma Tutty

Having been gelded he made a winning handicap and seasonal debut at Redcar (1m, good to firm) in April; only fifth at Haydock (1m2f, good to soft) since but faded late on and he could be in the mix over a furlong shorter.

13/2

Form: 3121-6 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Veteran who has been ridden by Rebecca Hitchen since joining current yard, posting form figures of 31216; hindered by wide trip in AW contest on reappearance most recently; could go well with that outing under his belt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(8)

28th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

13:35 Beverley

Sandret

11st 2lb

J: Miss Rebecca Hitchen

T: Sam England

Won at Redcar and Thirsk for today's rider last season (both over 1m on good ground), but hasn't shown the same level of form in two runs this term; conditions suit and back on last winning mark.

20/1

8th

3

(1)

29th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

14:30 Pontefract

Sandret

10st 13lb

J: Miss Rebecca Hitchen

T: Sam England

Veteran who has been ridden by Rebecca Hitchen since joining current yard, posting form figures of 31216; hindered by wide trip in AW contest on reappearance most recently; could go well with that outing under his belt.

12/1

6th

4

(12)

16th Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

17:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Sandret

10st 11lb

J: Miss Rebecca Hitchen

T: Sam England

Two wins for Rebecca Hitchen last summer; fine on Tapeta but returns from ten months off looking high enough in the weights and he's entitled to need the run at his age.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.80
Straight Forecast £13.83
Tricast £72.84
Trifecta £66.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Shimmering Sands

The Times:

Ephron

The Sun:

Yermanthere

NEWMARKET:

Wrist Art

Telegraph:

Sandret

The Guardian:

Ephron

RP RATINGS:

Shimmering Sands

POSTDATA:

Shimmering Sands

THE NORTH:

Shimmering Sands

Daily Mail:

Shimmering Sands

D Express:

Shimmering Sands

Daily Mirror:

Shimmering Sands

The Star:

Shimmering Sands

Daily Record:

Shimmering Sands