17:05 Pontefract

Thursday 21 September 2017

All14:2014:5015:2516:0016:3017:0517:35

Watch Racing UK In HD Maiden Stakes

Off time: 17:09 | Winning time: 2m 19.27s

(9)

Fashaar¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: S W Kelly| T: A McCann

20/1

Has been kept to around 1m in his three Irish maidens and this step up in trip is not on obvious move on pedigree. Nonetheless, he is still improving, though on paper at least he looks more likely as a handicap proposition.

Form: 876

(2)

Frankster^p1,t⁸⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: F Norton| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 56

25/1

His best two performances have been at this track and both of them when the ground was good to soft. Yet to win from 11 attempts, but is not dismissed out of hand now back here and with cheekpieces on, despite a clear need for improvement.

Form: 645-805

(3)

Good Man^p⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: A Mullen| T: Karen McLintock

25/1

Has regressed in three starts so far, including when thrashed here over 1m (soft) in July. Was taken out of his only other subsequent declaration at Nottingham due to the good to soft ground, so not sure what impact he can have in this.

Form: 05

(4)

The Foozler¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Adam J McNamara⁽³⁾| T: P D Niven

125/1

Well beaten in both starts so far at Catterick (1m4f, good) and Ripon (1m2f, good to firm). Has plenty to prove for the time being, including his ability to handle conditions and this stiff track and is looking more of a handicapping proposition.

Form: 65

(10)

Hats Off To Larry¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: G Lee| T: M R Channon| OR: 75

2/1

Placed in all four starts, twice on good to soft, and coming closest to breaking his duck when ½L runner-up at Goodwood (1m2f, good) last time. That is the standard bearing form here and a repeat would make him tough to topple.

Form: 3332

(7)

Heron⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: J Mitchell| T: H Palmer

9/2

Was beaten just 1½L in a Redcar maiden (1m2f, good) on debut in June, but was never really in it on his only other start at Doncaster (1m4f, good to firm) last time. Dam loved cut in the ground, so may be able to do better this time.

Form: 28

(8)

Mesbaar²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Harry Bentley| T: R Varian

10/3

Disappointed when sent off as favourite on debut at Leicester in June. Subsequently gelded and was able to show improved form at Wolverhampton (1m1½f, AW) last month. This trip on a stiff track may well elicit more improvement. Claims.

Form: 52

(6)

Trois Bon Amis^t1¹²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P Aspell| T: Mark Campion| OR: 56

100/1

Made the frame in a Redcar sprint maiden last year when with Tim Easterby, but didn't show much for him and now begins again for a new yard in a tongue-tie and upped in trip. All of that adds up to a watching brief this time.

Form: 5346-97

(1)

Urban Spirit¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: J Garritty| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 45

50/1

Moderate performer for both Jedd O'Keeffe and David O'Meara and was well beaten on his first outing for this yard at Hamilton (6f, soft) last time. Big step up in trip here and despite being half-brother to a winner over it he looks best watched.

Form: 00-5460

(5)

Misscarlett³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: B A Curtis| T: Sally Haynes

3/1

Outperformed his 16-1 SP on debut when beaten less than 3L into third at Thirsk (1m4f, good) last month. That was a very encouraging start and with both sire and dam having won on soft ground, she will hopefully handle this. Claims.

Form: 3

Forecasts

Hats Off To Larry (2/1), Misscarlett (3/1), Mesbaar (10/3), Heron (9/2), Fashaar (20/1), Frankster (25/1), Good Man (25/1), Urban Spirit (50/1), Trois Bon Amis (100/1), The Foozler (125/1)

Hats Off To Larry sets the standard with his run at Goodwood last time, but he has had a few chances now and is clearly vulnerable to a potential improver, which could come in the form of MISSCARLETT. Sally Haynes's filly surprised a few people on debut at Thirsk, but there is hope that she will handle this slower ground and if she does, then she could make enough improvement to win. Heron and Mesbaar are both obvious potential dangers, while Frankster is not ruled out of the prizes.