16:40 Pontefract

Thursday 28 September 2017

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

Simon Scrope Dalby Screw-Driver Handicap

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 2m 21.17s

(4)

Empress Ali¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: J P Sullivan| T: T P Tate| OR: 90| CD

3/1

In good shape at present and is a past C&D winner, but is becoming weighted up to her very best. No match for decisive 6L scorer Company Asset in a class 2 Haydock fillies handicap earlier this month.

Form: 1-53412

(2)

Carnageo^b¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 88| D

9/2

Improving and has won two of his last four career starts. Effective between 1m and 1m2f, but 4lb higher than when beating Save The Bees (and others) by a head at York most latterly, as the handicapper seeks to stunt his growth.

Form: 431041

(7)

Dance King^p,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 85| CD

7/1

Took a valuable prize when winning the Cumberland Plate at Carlisle in June (1m3f+ good to soft) and has largely raced over 1m4f since. Finished behind Save The Bees (fourth) at York latest, but renews battle on 5lb better terms.

Form: 341864

(5)

Star of Rory^b1²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 89

4/1

Not won since his debut juvenile success at Haydock in July 2016 (7f soft), but has gradually improved with a declining mark, and was beaten just ½L over this trip at Haydock (soft) latest. Up 2lb and first time blinkers applied.

Form: 5-64032

(6)

Indian Chief¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: David Probert| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 84| BF| D

7/1

Closely matched with both Carnageo and Dance King on his most recent York effort which came off the back of a 7L Hamilton success. 1m2f on soft ground is ideal, but he's not raced from a mark this high since May 2015.

Form: 312213

(8)

Royal Shaheen^v⁷^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: G Lee| T: A C Whillans| OR: 77| CD

7/1

Former German racer who had never won beyond 1m prior to hacking up by 2¼L over C&D last week. A 5lb penalty appears fairly insignificant and should go very close to following up if returning in the same shape.

Form: 163351

(1)

La Casa Tarifa²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 80

40/1

Won two on the bounce earlier this year (7f and 1m), but hadn't beaten a single rival in three starts since prior to refusing to race at Chelmsford latest. Impossible to consider given her apparent current quirky mindset.

Form: 11595R

(3)

Andok¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 80

9/1

Few obvious signs that he's trained on since his productive juvenile campaign, but he has had just a sole start as a gelding so is worthy of more time yet. Falling in the weights, but stamina to prove over this trip in a decent contest.

Form: 12-5053

Forecasts

Empress Ali (3/1), Star of Rory (4/1), Carnageo (9/2), Dance King (7/1), Royal Shaheen (7/1), Indian Chief (7/1), Andok (9/1), La Casa Tarifa (40/1)

Quite a number of very likeable horses in the line up, but many are now handicapped up to their very best and need to produce more seeking further success. These include Empress Ali, Carnageo and Indian Chief. However, conversely, a 5lb penalty for ROYAL SHAHEEN looks insignificant on the strength of last week's smooth C&D success. The Whillans family generally know exactly how to strike when the iron is hot, and with conditions ideal, this former German racer rates as a most confident selection.