Pontefract Races Chairman's Challenge Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 1m 1.76s

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(2)

Hover On The Wind^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Shay Farmer⁽³⁾| T: P T Midgley| OR: 75| D

7/4

As good as ever when winning at Beverley in May and confirmed he's in top form with a ¾-length second of 7 to Protest Rally in handicap at this C&D (good to firm, 11/2) 17 days ago. Should be bang there again.

Form: 55-8412

(1)

Copper Knight^t¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 9-13| J: Jake Dickson⁽⁷⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 74| CD

5/2

Grand servant to connections, gaining fourth 5f win at Chester a year ago. Very nearly added to his haul when short-head second of 6 in handicap at Ayr (5f, good to firm, 9/4) 19 days ago. Major player from stall 1.

Form: 866-342

(4)

Ancient Times^t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: Taryn Langley| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 73| D

6/1

Winning reappearance at Doncaster and didn't need to improve to win 7-runner handicap at Catterick (6f, good) 16 days ago. Nudged up 2 lb but he's consistent.

Form: 844-121

(3)

Protest Rally^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Mason Paetel| T: L Bailey| OR: 73| CD

11/4

Has had an exellent year or so, career best when winning 7-runner handicap at this C&D (good to firm) 17 days ago by ¾ length from Hover On The Wind. Shoudn't be much between the pair again.

Form: 8-25141

(5)

Refuge^t²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 8-11| J: Lewis Chalkley⁽³⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 58| D

14/1

Very good second of 8 in handicap (11/1) at Hamilton (5f, good to firm) 24 days ago, no match for winner. Nudged up 1 lb but that still puts him on his last winning mark.

Form: 5757-72

Forecasts

Hover On The Wind (7/4), Copper Knight (5/2), Protest Rally (11/4), Ancient Times (6/1), Refuge (14/1)

All 5 of these arrive in excellent order but COPPER KNIGHT is a very straightforward ride for an apprentice and from stall 1, it's easy enough to construct a case for the veteran making all. Hover On The Wind finished behind Protest Rally when the pair clashed here 17 days ago but is weighted to reverse the form this time.