13:00 Pontefract

Tuesday 6 April 2021

All13:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:35

2021 Season Starts Here Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 2m 37.23s

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Selected odds by:

(9)

Dream With Me⁸^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Oliver Stammers⁽³⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 72| D

9/5

Improved when making a winning reappearance at Wolverhampton (12.2f) last week. Likely there's more to come from this well-bred 4-y-o and he's a big player under a penalty.

Form: 34452-1

(10)

The Dancing Poet²⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Harry Russell⁽³⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 74| DWS

20/1

In good form last summer, placed 3 times prior to landing a handicap over this trip at Catterick. Failed to fire on final start of 2020, but since undergone a wind op and claims if ready to roll.

Form: 38/3217-

(3)

Warne's Army²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Andrew Breslin⁽³⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 73| D

8/1

Did the job well when scoring at Southwell (1½m) last month, but disappointing at Newcastle since and profile is starting to look rather patchy.

Form: 3/46-713

(7)

Qawamees^b,t²⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Joanna Mason⁽³⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 73| CD

12/1

C&D winner in 2019 and good start to last season when third at Newcastle. However, below par both subsequent starts and entitled to need the run following an 8-month absence.

Form: 955/304-

(5)

First Charge¹⁶⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Saffie Osborne⁽⁵⁾| T: E Walker| OR: 72

11/4

Lightly-raced 4-y-o who improved when making a winning handicap bow at Doncaster (10.2f) on final start of last season. 5 lb rise fair and this stiffer test may help unlock further improvement.

Form: 0551-

(8)

Finoah^h⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽³⁾| T: Martin Smith| OR: 71

9/1

Four-time winner for Tom Dascombe, but not the most reliable and flattered to finish as close as he did when last of 4 on debut for new yard Doncaster recently.

Form: 237-754

(4)

Glan Y Gors^t¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: Ray Dawson| T: D Thompson| OR: 71| C| D

17/2

Made it 3 wins in a row when landing 1¼m handicap here last summer. Rather in-and-out since, though, and recent effort over hurdles was hardly inspiring.

Form: 657-347

(2)

G For Gabrial²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Connor Murtagh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 57| D

10/1

Snapped a losing run when seeing off 10 rivals at Wolverhampton (12.2f) in January. Latest third off this mark in a Lingfield handicap was respectable, but may again find one of two too good.

Form: 3-54173

Non-Runners

(1)

Chief Craftsman¹⁴³

Weight: 9-8| Age: 7

T: T D Easterby J: Ella McCain

(6)

Ghadbbaan²⁶

Weight: 8-12| Age: 5

T: B Ellison J: Kieran Schofield

Forecasts

Dream With Me (9/5), First Charge (11/4), Warne's Army (8/1), Glan Y Gors (17/2), Finoah (9/1), G For Gabrial (10/1), Chief Craftsman (10/1), Qawamees (12/1), Ghadbbaan (14/1), The Dancing Poet (20/1)

There should be more to come from the unexposed FIRST CHARGE, who left his form in novice company well behind when successful on handicap debut at Doncaster in October. This new trip should be within range and he gets the nod ahead of recent Wolverhampton winner Dream With Me. Save for a below-par effort when last seen, The Dancing Poet held his form well in 2020 and is also shortlisted.