Into The Sky Pontefract Marathon Handicap

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 5m 4.09s

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Selected odds by:

(6)

Primogeniture^t⁶¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: J Fanning| T: M Keighley| OR: 72

33/1

Hasn't won since his seasonal reappearance in 2016, though largely campaigned over hurdles in that time. Well beaten on return to the level at Southwell last time though and while well-handicapped on his best for, he doesn't look the force of old.

Form: 0544/6-4

(3)

Rubenesque^t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: T Davidson| OR: 66| D

6/4

Failed to finish on her last two starts over hurdles but she performed well in three starts here last year without quite managing to get her head in front. Race fitness on her side and expected to go well.

Form: 613253-

(1)

Tynecastle Park¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Darragh Keenan⁽⁵⁾| T: R Eddery| OR: 65

11/4

Arrives here bidding for a hat-trick after two wins at Southwell. Yet to win in four turf starts on the Flat though and may be vulnerable from this sort of handicap mark; expected to try and make the running here.

Form: 1-27211

(4)

Brandy James²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Dane O'Neill| T: H Whittington| OR: 64

5/1

Running well over hurdles since joining this yard but still a maiden under both codes and has stamina to prove on first try at this trip; others hold stronger claims here.

Form: 754-

(5)

Strictly Art³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Jessica Cooley⁽⁷⁾| T: A Bailey| OR: 63

16/1

Very consistent sort but hasn't won on turf since a 1m3f Ripon win in August 2017. Yet to run over further than 2m so stamina must be taken on trust and he's still well above his highest winning handicap mark.

Form: 222-676

(2)

Galileo's Spear¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 61

9/2

Yet to win in 25 starts and hasn't shown any of his best form around here. Also has stamina to prove and something of a mystery why he hasn't been gelded yet. Has a first go at this trip and needs to improve for it.

Form: 23-3635

Forecasts

Rubenesque (6/4), Tynecastle Park (11/4), Galileo's Spear (9/2), Brandy James (5/1), Strictly Art (16/1), Primogeniture (33/1)

RUBENESQUE has fairly solid claims on her return to the Flat having run well enough in a trio of starts here last year and she rates as the safe option in a race where most of the field have something to prove. Tynecastle Park could be an interesting contender if he can get an uncontested lead and Primogeniture can't be completely ruled out given how well handicapped he is on old form.