19:40 Pontefract

Monday 12 June 2017

All18:4019:1019:4020:1020:4021:10

Mr Wolf Sprint Handicap

Off time: 19:40 | Winning time: 1m 17.37s

(7)

Black Isle Boy¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 87| CD

5/1

His only defeat so far came on his debut last year as a juvenile but he's returned to go 3/3 in his three-year-old career winning a C&D maiden and handicaps over 6f at Hamilton and Ayr. Handicapper pops him up another 5lb here to a mark of 87 so he'll have to improve again but has a good attitude and looks sure to put up a sound performance.

Form: 5-111

(6)

El Hombre¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Rowan Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 87| D

4/1

Improving handicapper who had won his last two starts after showing promise at Ayr before that. Now up to a 12lb higher mark than for that first win but has shown a good attitude to win on both occasions (settled much better last time) and even this mark doesn't look beyond him now.

Form: 1-43211

(3)

Parnassian²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: B A Curtis| T: K R Burke| OR: 86| D

8/1

Won his first two races as a juvenile before facing some tougher tasks over longer trips before ending the season well enough. Dropped 3lb from his initial run this year over 7f on soft going at York (distance and conditions unlikely to suit) but while a return to 6f on better ground will suit his mark still looks a little high.

Form: 10423-0

(2)

Holmeswood^b1²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: A Mullen| T: M Dods| OR: 85| D

7/2

Could well be more to come from this one who won a Newcastle 6f maiden on his second start as a juvenile having shown up well on debut. Both runs this year in handicaps have hinted at him having plenty of ability but he remains a work in progress (better than finishing position last time/unsuited by track). Blinkers now go on for the first time and he remains an interesting candidate back on a course that should suit.

Form: 21-34

(8)

Esprit De Corps²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 82| D

9/1

Relatively rare runner at this track for the yard who have a 4/11 record with their three-year-old handicappers although this one comes here off the back of a poor run at Newmarket over 6f when conditions (ground) may not have suited on handicap debut. May be able to bounce back from that although he does face some progressive types here.

Form: 62-10

(5)

Golden Apollo⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 81| BF| D

7/2

Taking a look at his juvenile form it always looked as though he might be a better three-year-old but he did manage to win on his last two-year-old start over 6f at Doncaster. Has shaped with promise on both his starts this year over 7f (soft both times) but looked like he would be better suited by a step up to a mile rather than dropping back to 6f.

Form: 4391-43

(4)

The Nazca Lines¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 75

12/1

Was hardly hidden away as a juvenile running 11 times with his best form coming over 5f when scoring in a maiden at Ripon on good-to-firm ground. Gelded over the winter he shaped well on his debut as a three-year-old without necessarily being seen to best effect over 5f at Catterick and looking in need off the headgear again which he wore on many of his better starts last year.

Form: 35544-3

Non-Runners

(1)

Tawny Port²⁶

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: J G Given J: T Eaves

Forecasts

Golden Apollo (7/2), Holmeswood (7/2), El Hombre (4/1), Black Isle Boy (5/1), Parnassian (8/1), Esprit De Corps (9/1), The Nazca Lines (12/1), Tawny Port (14/1)

Quite a few in here that have a positive profile and can be thought of as being able to win or win again this year with Black Isle Boy coming here looking for a four-timer and El Hombre for a hat-trick. Both are worthy of respect but face some decent types here and the thought might be that the handicapper has caught up with them now. Espirit De Corps deserves another chance for a yard that do well with their rare runners here with Parnassian probably better after his initial effort this year. Overall though with the Dods yard starting to fire HOLMESWOOD looks the one of most interest with his full potential yet to be revealed and the blinkers going on for the first time around a track that he should be more at home on and from a good inside draw.