16:45 Pontefract

Tuesday 2 April 2024

All13:4514:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:45

Always Trying Syndicate Handicap

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 1m 52.43s

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Selected odds by:

(7)

On The River¹⁹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Cam Hardie| T: H Bethell| OR: 77| CD

10/1

Enjoyed an excellent first season with this yard in 2023, winning 4 times, including over this C&D on his reappearance last spring. Best to overlook his effort back here when last seen in September and he's one to consider.

Form: 715468-

(11)

King Sharja²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 74

50/1

Showed ability in a handful of outings in maiden/novice company for Richard Hannon but failed to make an impact pitched into a handicap on return/yard debut at Newcastle.

Form: 5/73-9

(5)

Gainsbourg^p²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Hart| T: D Bourke| OR: 72| CD

6/1

Back-to-back winner at Ayr last summer and by no means disgraced in a couple of spins at Newcastle since returning to action in February. Has slipped back to his last winning mark and is proven round here (C&D winner in 2022), so there is cause for optimism.

Form: 1707-56

(3)

Wintercrack¹⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Rob Hornby| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 72| BF

11/4

Off the mark in a 1¼m Leicester maiden last spring and signed 2023 campaign off with a solid second over the same C&D (front two clear of the rest). 2 lb rise for that effort is fair and she's proven on slow ground. Possibilities.

Form: 763652-

(8)

Harswell Duke¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Jonny Peate⁽³⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 72| D

10/1

Ultimately well held when bidding to repeat his 2023 success in the Spring Mile at Doncaster recently but that run is probably best overlooked (went off too hard and the strong headwind meant that it wasn't the day for front-running on Town Moor). Down another 3 lb and couldn't rule out.

Form: 7670-60

(9)

Young Fire⁸⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 72| D

14/1

Won 4 times in total last year, the latest off a 9 lb higher mark at Leicester in August. Failed to fire when last seen on the AW in January, though, and Daniel Tudhope prefers Star Shield.

Form: 03665-9

(1)

First Dynasty²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: P Mulrennan| T: S England| OR: 72

80/1

Bagged a novice event at Chelmsford on final start for David Simcock last January and positive start for Tom Clover at Wolverhampton 3 months later. However, no show in 3 subsequent starts (including 2 runs since joining present yard) and it's easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 31200-6

(4)

Star Shield²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 72| D

16/1

Notched third success of 2023 at Newcastle in December and has made the frame all 4 starts since. Latest success on turf was gained off a 3 lb higher mark at Wetherby last summer and claims if handling conditions (has performed well on slow ground in the past but that was some time ago).

Form: 21-3335

(6)

Phoenix Fire¹⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: William Pyle⁽⁵⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 71

13/2

Winless last season but made the frame on several occasions, including twice over this C&D, and probably best not to read too much into his effort at Wolverhampton when last seen in November. Conditions no problem (won on heavy at 2 yrs) and he could have a part to play if fully tuned-up.

Form: 335440-

(10)

Pol Roger^p¹⁹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 68| D

14/1

Benefited from the application of headgear when hitting the frame in a trio of handicaps in July/August last year. Ended that campaign on a downer but starts this season on a mark 19 lb lower than that of which he kicked off 2023 and Connor Beasley seemingly prefers him to Phoenix Fire.

Form: 743408-

(12)

Perfect Swiss^b¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 67| CD

28/1

Has enhanced positive strike rate on the AW with victories at Southwell and Newcastle (both at 7f) on 2 of his last 3 starts. Clearly in good nick and has winning form over this C&D but a 7 lb rise for his latest success will make things tougher.

Form: 98-6171

(2)

Do I Dream⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Andrew Breslin⁽³⁾| T: B Haslam| OR: 59| CD

4/1

Winner of this race 12 months ago off a 3 lb higher mark. Rather hit-and-miss thereafter and needs luck owing to her come-from-behind style of racing but conditions in her favour and she's dangerous to discount.

Form: 64567-4

Forecasts

Wintercrack (11/4), Do I Dream (4/1), Gainsbourg (6/1), Phoenix Fire (13/2), Harswell Duke (10/1), On The River (10/1), Pol Roger (14/1), Young Fire (14/1), Star Shield (16/1), Perfect Swiss (28/1), King Sharja (50/1), First Dynasty (80/1)

ON THE RIVER made a winning reappearance over this C&D last April, which turned out to be the first leg of a hat-trick, and he will have every chance if resuming in similarly good form this time round. Harswell Duke and Pol Roger have both slipped to dangerous marks and warrant respect, while last year's winner Do I Dream, Star Shield and Wintercrack are others with claims in a typically competitive and open-looking handicap at this venue.