17:40 Pontefract
Tuesday 11 April 2017
All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:1017:40
See Bananarama At Pontefract 80s Night Apprentice Handicap
- 4YO plus | Class 5 | 1m 2f 6y | Good (Good to Firm in places) | 10 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 17:44 | Winning time: 2m 12.61s
Settings
Selected odds by:
Won here over 1m and at Ripon over 1m4f last season, the latter from today's mark and both on his last two starts in this class. Gelded since last run and has an opportunity here, although has not yet won when fresh.
Progressed nicely for Ian Williams on the All Weather in the winter, winning three of his last four starts to rise 10lb. Stiff 10f like this should be just the ticket for him and has run several good races in defeat before today on turf, so first win on the green stuff cannot be ruled out for yard going well.
Performs best on a sound surface and should be very competitive from this mark, although is 4lb higher than his best win. Not sure if there is much more improvement to some and looks worth taking on.
Has popped up once a year in the three seasons he has been racing (38 starts), the most recent success being at Hamilton last summer (1m½f, good to soft) from a mark of 69. Went close from 2lb higher than today in a Redcar ladies' race a couple of runs later, though shown nothing since on Flat or over hurdles.
Sole win was from 3lb higher at Beverley almost a year ago, though not beaten far on three subsequent occasions from higher marks. Ran well when fresh with Dermot Weld and interesting if supported.
Landed a Doncaster maiden in 2015 but has rarely come close to adding to that. Slipping to the sort of mark from which he will be competitive again, though may need further assistance from the handicapper before he ends the drought.
Picked up back-to-back wins at Nottingham and Yarmouth last July and 3lb higher here. Has the benefit of a recent run but more needed today.
Entitled to plenty of respect given that he is 7lb lower than his Haydock win in May (1m2½f, good) on his first start for Brian Ellison. Best effort since then was for current yard in a seller. Has run well both times he has been fresh and could be a likely candidate here in first-time headgear.
Notched back-to-back wins at Newbury and over C&D last summer, the latter from 3lb higher than today. Well beaten all starts since and probable that he will need this return outing.
Runner-up three times in succession last summer in handicaps from 1m-1m1f. Starts from a mark higher than any of that trio of runs today and not easy to fancy for win purposes.
Rule 4
Rule 4 applies to board prices only - deduction 10p in the pound
Non-Runners
1
(4)
Giantstepsahead22
Weight: 9-9| Age: 8
T: A Bailey J: Non Runner
NR
2
(9)
Indy161
Weight: 9-7| Age: 6
T: J & S Quinn J: Josh Quinn
NR
6
(13)
Sugarloaf Mountain32
Weight: 9-4| Age: 4
T: B Ellison J: Kieran Schofield
NR
10
(1)
Le Deluge58
Weight: 8-12| Age: 7
T: Micky Hammond J: Rowan Scott
WD
Forecasts
Kingthistle (11/4), Theos Lolly (3/1), Gulf Of Poets (7/2), Sugarloaf Mountain (7/2), Indy (6/1), Giantstepsahead (8/1), Melabi (10/1), Ravenhoe (10/1), Bit Of A Quirke (14/1), Framley Garth (14/1), Le Deluge (14/1), Silver Alliance (20/1), We'll Shake Hands (25/1), Clayton Hall (33/1)
Admittedly, following Indy has proved an expensive pursuit, but John Quinn is well capable of turning things around and the six-year-old has his easiest task ever, so if there is support for him it could be significant. Nonetheless CLAYTON HALL appeals both as a fresh horse and in first-time headgear and he is preferred. Le Deluge, Kingthistle and Gulf Of Poets are others likely to be in the shake-up.
- Clayton Hall
- Kingthistle
- Gulf Of Poets
Prize Money
1st: £3,234.002nd: £962.003rd: £481.004th: £240.00
MOST READ RACING
Follow & Track
Your favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My StableLog in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits
