15:50 Pontefract

Monday 23 October 2017

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:20

totepool ebfstallions.com Silver Tankard Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 1m 51.87s

(2)

Connect⁵¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 91

9/1

Makes his first trip away from the environs of Sandown Park where he's raced exclusively so far fir his three runs. Takes a slight drop class here and well drawn to try and dominate as he did last time.

Form: 416

(4)

Dark Acclaim⁴⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: M Botti| OR: 95

7/1

Left his debut well behind when taking a 7f minor event at Doncaster on his penultimate outing; won that race in good style. Listed company at Haydock appeared to find him out last time and that may well be the same story here.

Form: 414

(5)

Learn By Heart⁴⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: W J Haggas| OR: 98

3/1

Had Dark Acclaim and the smart Dee Ex Bee behind last time out at Haydock although he proved no match for the smart Chilean when taking the runner-up slot. Has looked a progressive sort though and should continue his upward curve here.

Form: 3142

(7)

Lisheen Castle²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| D

14/1

Looked as though he failed to really cope with the course at Epsom last time out but could be excused as that was only his second career start. Won on his debut at Hamilton to show he has plenty of ability but this will prove tougher.

Form: 14

(9)

Old Persian¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| D

6/5

Already a dual winner from a yard that have had a good season with their juveniles and he powered clear to land the odds last time out at Newmarket. More required here but he does look to have plenty of improvement left in him (draw tricky here).

Form: 311

(11)

Poets Dream¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: G Mosse| T: M Moubarak| OR: 85

33/1

His moved forward with each and every run showing his best form on last time out in defeat at Redcar over 7f. Showed he could handle ground such as this when winning at Thirsk over 7f but a wide draw does make life tough.

Form: 4412

(10)

Unwritten²⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: P J McDonald| T: K R Burke| CD

14/1

An outside draw proved no handicap last time out when he looked to really enjoy the heavy ground over C&D romping to a 9L victory. Again saddled with a double-figure draw and this is a tougher assignment but not out of this.

Form: 41

(1)

Veejay⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: J F Egan| T: M R Channon| OR: 90| D

16/1

Connections can hardly complain about the shift this one has put in this year as he's won three times already. Questionable how much (if any) improvement he has left in him though despite being favourably berthed here.

Form: 021773

Non-Runners

(6)

Alfa McGuire³⁹

Weight: 9-3| Age: 2

T: B Smart J: G Lee

(3)

Simpson¹⁴

Weight: 9-3| Age: 2

T: E Walker J: J P Spencer

(8)

Three Saints Bay¹⁶

Weight: 9-3| Age: 2

T: D O'Meara J: D Nolan

Forecasts

Old Persian (6/5), Learn By Heart (3/1), Dark Acclaim (7/1), Connect (9/1), Simpson (12/1), Lisheen Castle (14/1), Unwritten (14/1), Alfa McGuire (14/1), Veejay (16/1), Three Saints Bay (25/1), Poets Dream (33/1)

Southern stables have waltzed off with this valuable prize for the past three years and they look to hold a strong hand again here with the Royal runner LEARN BY HEART narrowly preferred to the ever-improving Old Persian. The former bumped into a real improver last time and his slightly better draw gives him the edge here. Another southern runner Dark Acclaim looks to have a good chance although he will have to reverse form with the suggestion. The North look to have a slightly below-par team although the Karl Burke trained Unwritten is a fascinating contender after his 9L romp last time from a yard that know the time of day with their juveniles.