17:35 Pontefract

Thursday 23 July 2020

All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:2517:0017:35

Constant Security Services Handicap

Off time: 17:36 | Winning time: 2m 39.54s

Settings

Selected odds by:

(6)

Qawamees^b,t⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: K T O'Neill| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 75| CD

16/1

C&D winner off this same mark last August, comes here off the back of an underwhelming effort at Sandown (1m6f, good). May not have been suited by the way that panned out (still a tame effort), bounced back before, couldn't rule out totally.

Form: 1955-30

(2)

Purdey's Gift¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 75| D

7/2

Consistent sort after his Wolverhampton (12.2f) win in October over the rest of the winter, tried over an extended 2m once. Shaped as though he would come on for the run at York (11.9f, good) last time, back down to 1lb above last winning mark.

Form: 13-3455

(9)

Dr Rio¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: T Hamilton| T: S Gollings| OR: 75

40/1

Element of this yard finding their way with this fairly useful ex-French performer (won three times at up to 9.5f). Considerately handled on GB/stable debut at Doncaster (11.9f) effort flattened out, finished well held, this run to reveal more.

Form: 73516-0

(8)

Aiya¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 70| C| D

16/1

Cashed-in on a falling mark to score here over 2f shorter on his final 2019 run (made all off soft lead). Nowhere near that form this year producing a laboured and tame effort here last time over 1m2f, slips below last winning mark (a saving grace).

Form: 591-799

(3)

Al Khabeer²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 77

11/4

Failed to build on stable debut when fourth at Hamilton (8.3f, good/soft) last time, perhaps unsuited by softer conditions. Early days with this yard/career so not written off as he goes into handicaps over a longer trip returned to better ground.

Form: 0-24

(4)

French Asset^b1¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 75| BF

5/2

Despite having four runs (two this year) he still looked green last time when picked off late on at Windsor (11.5f, good/firm). Blinkers (first-time) now applied as he's given a stiffer test of stamina (bred to stay well), has decent efforts in him.

Form: 46-42

(7)

Hatheem²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 74

10/1

Still looks to be learning, type the yard do well with those when stepped into handicaps. Had the run of the race on the AW last time when slightly disappointing finishing third, looks fairly treated, would probably enjoy an even stiffer test.

Form: 733

(5)

Socially Shady^p¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: B A Curtis| T: K R Burke| OR: 69| D

15/2

Slightly fortunate and surprise winner at Ripon (12.1f, good/firm) last time leading close home after some argy-bargy close home in first-time cheekpieces. Showed some quirks there, this looks tougher, he'll need to progress again to follow up.

Form: 35-931

Non-Runners

(1)

Squelch²³

Weight: 10-0| Age: 4

T: Rae Guest J: M Harley

Forecasts

French Asset (5/2), Al Khabeer (11/4), Purdey's Gift (7/2), Squelch (7/2), Socially Shady (15/2), Hatheem (10/1), Qawamees (16/1), Aiya (16/1), Dr Rio (40/1)

Good competitive end to a varied and entertaining card with several who can be given a chance to win the finale. SQUELCH is the only filly in the field and this will be her toughest test yet but we know she handles quick ground and looked to win with something left in the locker last time. Main danger French Asset still looks a work in progress, the blinkers may help him further after still looked raw at Windsor last time but he does have potential. A return to a better surface should help Al Khabeer regain his momentum on handicap debut with Hatheem another who should appreciate this test, he looks a typical handicap improver for the Johnston team.