18:30 Pontefract
Friday 26 May 2017
All18:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:00
Rugby League Evening On 12th June Handicap
- 4YO plus  |  Class 5  |  1m 6y  |  Good (Good to Firm in places)  |  10 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 18:30Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 1m 45.3s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Stablemate of Haraz, well berthed and on jockey bookings appears the first string. Won on Tapeta at Newcastle in October (7F) and now actually 1lb lower despite returning in fair form since Good Friday. Likely to have been closer than fourth latest at Wetherby with more luck in running.
A winner from a 3lb lower mark at Doncaster in June 2016 (1m good to soft), he also has bits and pieces of placed form at this track. Slowly working back to form and finished fourth to a subsequent winner Nicholas T at Doncaster last month.
Won three times between 7F and 1m for David Loughnane and Roger Fell last year, the latest in a seller at Redcar in November. Joined this trainer since, but not too much encouragement to be taken from his stable debut at Wetherby eleven days ago.
Epsom handicap winner (1m+) in September after coming from well off the pace to lead the last strides. Improved on his seasonal reappearance with the visor reapplied over the extended mile at Hamilton earlier this month when a ¾L runner up to Try Again. Drawn wide, but will be finishing strongly.
Consistent on the AW at Newcastle in the early part of the year winning over the straight mile in February. Ever so slightly higher rated on turf, and went down narrowly to Rockwood from this mark over C&D in April. Ran to a similar level at Haydock latterly and holds place claims.
Chelmsford 6F maiden winner for Tony Coyle in October, but his form tailed off a fraction on synthetics thereafter. Mixed messages as to whether he'll stay this trip, but has joined a shrewd trainer who will no doubt campaign him well this season and therefore worthy of respect.
Veteran, but goes well at this track and can be expected to improve for his seasonal return at Beverley earlier in the month. Handicapper has cut him a little slack but the suspicion remains that he's not quite as good as he once was.
Stablemate of Talent Scout, but hasn't won for over twelve months (when with Mick Channon). However has dropped 7lb in five starts for this yard and shaped with more promise latest at Doncaster when a nearest at the finish fifth to Art Echo (7F).
Ran a blinder on his seasonal reappearance when a running on second to La Celebs Ville at Haydock last month (Chiswick Bey fifth). Up 1lb which is very fair, and this stiff 1m will most certainly suit. Ground conditions ideal, and not too badly drawn (mid pack). Chances.
11 race maiden and out of contention in each of his last four starts. This distance of 1m is probably his optimum trip, but he's hard to fancy in a race this competitive after having plenty of previous opportunities. Blinkers applied for the first time.
Non-Runners
1
(14)
Haraz14
Weight: 9-8|Â Â Age: 4
T: D O'Meara  J: Patrick Vaughan
NR
2
(12)
Stanley23
Weight: 9-8|Â Â Age: 6
T: J & A O'Neill  J: G Lee
NR
9
(10)
Still On Top23
Weight: 9-1|Â Â Age: 4
T: T D Easterby  J: D Allan
NR
13
(1)
Rockliffe45
Weight: 8-7|Â Â Age: 4
T: Micky Hammond  J: P J McDonald
NR
Forecasts
Mon Beau Visage (11/4), Hanseatic (11/4), Interlink (11/4), Whitkirk (7/1), Haraz (7/1), Stanley (8/1), Be Kool (12/1), Still On Top (14/1), Chiswick Bey (16/1), Rockliffe (16/1), Nonno Giulio (25/1), Willsy (25/1), Talent Scout (33/1), Swiftee (40/1)
A sizeable field for the opener and luck in running will play it's part. However, this stiff track often sees races change dramatically late in the day, and a couple of potential strong finishers catch the eye. Whitkirk ran a blinder at Haydock last month and a reproduction of that form will see him go very close, but BE KOOL looks notably strong in the stamina department and anyone who witnessed his last gasp Epsom victory in September 2016 would be under no illusion there's plenty more to come. Whilst he's 8lb higher and hasn't an ideal draw, he's certain to be flashing home stronger than most, and it's worth chancing he'll get those crucial breaks when required.
- Be Kool
- Whitkirk
- Mon Beau Visage
Prize Money
1st: £3,234.002nd: £962.003rd: £481.004th: £240.00
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