15:30 Pontefract

Thursday 28 September 2017

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:1517:5018:20

Visit The All New racinguk.com Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 1m 20.17s

(8)

Captain Dion^p²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 85| CD

14/1

Proved himself as a useful performer on Tapeta at Newcastle last winter, but hasn't been at his best since returning to turf racing at Ripon last month. However, eased in grade and did win a division of this contest from 10lb lower in 2016.

Form: 326470

(3)

Khelman¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 84| D

8/1

Has edged up the weights for a couple of 6f successes in 2017 (Doncaster, heavy and Ayr, good to soft). Just the type to be making strong late headway from off the pace, and with conditions ideal this uphill finish could well suit.

Form: 187418

(4)

Hee Haw¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: P T Midgley| OR: 84| D

11/2

A winner for Keith Dalgleish earlier in the year, this gelding moved on for 38,000 gns in July, but he's already won for new connections (6f good, Ripon) and despite racing from a joint career high mark should run his race.

Form: 156915

(7)

Courier²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Barry McHugh| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 81| D

16/1

Front running mare who is versatile in terms of ground conditions, but her latest success at Haydock (7f) in June came on soft ground. Slipping in the weights and has a reasonable draw.

Form: 864535

(9)

Johnny Cavagin^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: G Lee| T: Ronald Thompson| OR: 79| CD

9/2

His last two career successes have come over this C&D (good) and undeniably he races from a mark which he should be able to capitalise upon. Whilst it's not quite happening for him at present, he always deserves respect here.

Form: 525365

(1)

Colonel Frank¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R Kingscote| T: E Walker| OR: 80| D

2/1

Won twice as a juvenile, including over 7f in a Goodwood nursery in October 2016. He was late in making a return to action this year, but is falling in the weights and should feel the benefit of a couple of recent runs.

Form: 1716-65

(6)

Tilly Trotter¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: T Hamilton| T: D Carroll| OR: 78

33/1

Won twice in seven starts for previous trainer Dermot Weld, both over 5f on the AW at Dundalk. Has dropped 9lb in three starts for this yard and should make her mark eventually, perhaps on the AW up at Newcastle.

Form: 1-50508

(2)

Suitcase 'n' Taxi³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 75| CD

7/1

An in an out performer, but effective on his day, and he does boast a C&D success on his CV (May 2017). Handles good to soft as he showed at Carlisle in August; form which has been franked by the runner up Castle Hill Cassie.

Form: 196817

(5)

Favourite Treat^e/s²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 70| D

10/1

A five time career winner who was dropped to a classified claiming stakes when successful at Wolverhampton in July. His recent efforts are highly consistent, but the handicapper appears to just have his measure and arguably 7f suits him best.

Form: 615354

Non-Runners

(10)

Muscika¹⁸

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: D O'Meara J: P Makin

Forecasts

Colonel Frank (2/1), Muscika (4/1), Johnny Cavagin (9/2), Hee Haw (11/2), Suitcase 'n' Taxi (7/1), Khelman (8/1), Favourite Treat (10/1), Captain Dion (14/1), Courier (16/1), Tilly Trotter (33/1)

A competitive affair as is so often the case at this progressive West Yorkshire venue. JOHNNY CAVAGIN races from a mark which he should be capable of winning from and always seems a much stronger performer at this track as opposed to anywhere else these days. His last four C&D visits (since September 2015) have yielded form figures of 1,1,2,3, and with a proven ability to handle underfoot conditions he should run his usual rock-solid Pontefract race. However, if there is a horse to represent the main danger, it could well be Khelman. This track is seemingly an ideal match for his potent ability to make strong late headway from off the pace.