17:10 Pontefract
Wednesday 3 May 2017
All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:45
Colonel And Mrs Padgett Handicap
- 3YO only  |  Class 5  |  6f  |  Good to Firm (Good in places)  |  11 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 17:10Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 1m 15.89s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Left alone after winning a maiden auction at Newcastle when last seen out, which suggests the handicapper may have his doubts about the wroth of the form. First start since last October and faces an acid test under topweight, so may be best watched just for now.
Left William Haggas after an encouraging effort to finish second at Newcastle back in January. His previous outing received a bit of a boost the other day, so it will be interesting to see how he goes from here. Interesting if supported.
Yard won this in 2015 so follows a tried and trusted path. However, does need to prove he is still up for the task after recently being gelded. One to monitor carefully in the betting.
Form hit the buffers last term and he was gelded during the off-season. Posted an encouraging effort on his reappearance but failed to back it up in any positive way last time out. Interesting that the hood is dispensed with today but he still has a few more questions to answer.
Unexposed but does have valuable experience of this course. Well drawn and, as this lacks strength-in-depth, he comes into the reckoning as a candidate with the potential to get one over on his more experienced rivals.
An improving filly that is going the right way. She took the switch to racing on turf in her stride at Ripon last month and she merits close inspection from the same mark here; despite her wide draw.
Best effort to date came when second of seven in a run-of-the-mill handicap at Hamilton last September, has also proved he handles this stiff uphill climb to the line, so has little to fear about the track. One for the shortlist from a handy draw.
Fourth in a fillies stakes race over C&D last time out needs to be bettered. Dropped 4lb in the ratings, so does have a theoretical chance but others look more convincing.
Improved effort on seasonal return at Ripon and has a live chance if he can build on that. He has a wide draw to contend with and needs to prove he can cope with two quick runs after his winter break (was also gelded before start of the new season). But may be worth chancing now that his yard is stepping things up a few notches.
Best with some cut in the ground last term and noteworthy that Paul Hannagan prefers stablemate Yarmouk. This also looks tougher than the race he won last season even though it was attained in a slightly higher grade.
Glimpses of ability last season but has a bit to find with a few of these on the form of his reappearance at Redcar and may have to settle for a minor role.
Forecasts
Trooper's Gold (10/3), Yarmouk (9/2), Mont Royal (8/1), Intense Romance (8/1), Red Gunner (8/1), Suitcase 'n' Taxi (9/1), Halawain (12/1), Sugar Beach (12/1), Springforth (14/1), Cupid's Arrow (16/1), Flash Of White (20/1)
As is to only be expected, many of these three-year-olds are open to a bit of improvement and can be placed to good effect as the season progresses. For now, however, SUITCASE 'N' TAXI appeals as a punter's choice to over come a wide draw and take a further step forward to better things. His stable has been under a cloud, so Intense Romance, who is closely matched with the selection, is also worthy of consideration on these terms. Yarmouk edges the verdict from those drawn towards the far rail, while Mont Royal has plenty of scope for improvement and would also be very dangerous to overlook completely.
- Suitcase 'n' Taxi
- Intense Romance
- Mont Royal
Prize Money
1st: £3,881.002nd: £1,155.003rd: £577.004th: £289.00
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