15:40 Pontefract

Monday 23 April 2018

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:1517:45

Pontefract Marathon Handicap

Off time: 15:48 | Winning time: 5m 7.00s

(12)

Tyrell^b,t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: P J McDonald| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 71

9/1

Won at Catterick over hurdles in February and has proven to be effective off this mark in the past. Fit from recent hurdles efforts and worth consideration.

Form: 2/33420-

(8)

Wemyss Point^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: P Aspell| T: P A Kirby| OR: 68

6/1

In good form over hurdles this winter and outran his odds at Wolverhampton last time out. Extra trip will suit and not discounted.

Form: 98-3

(2)

Uptown Funk³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: P Makin| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 65

9/2

Fell at Musselburgh last time when he looked booked for a place. On a workable mark returned to this sphere and may improve for the greater emphasis on stamina.

Form: 625363

(4)

Bodacious Name¹⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 61| BF

5/1

Just one win from 12 starts on the Flat and handicap mark looks stiff on what he's achieved to date. Conditions no issue but needs to improve here.

Form: 512247-

(1)

Gran Maestro^b¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: Ben Robinson⁽⁵⁾| T: P Winks| OR: 59

20/1

Just two wins from 37 starts on the Flat and not won in this sphere since 2014. On a nice enough weight as a result but must improve to figure.

Form: 3233/0-6

(6)

Madam Lilibet¹⁹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: Phil Dennis⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S A Watt| OR: 59| C

9/1

Consistent sort who won from out the handicap here last time. Handicapper has given her chance off 3lb higher and ran well in this race in 2016 from a higher mark.

Form: 290451-

(10)

Ballyfarsoon^v¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: S Donohoe| T: P Winks| OR: 59

50/1

Has won five times on the Flat but disappointed and too keen on yard debut last time and much more needed here. Probably wants better ground than this.

Form: 08521-7

(11)

American Life^t,v³⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 8-13| J: K Stott| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 57| CD

16/1

Winner of this race in 2016 and not been seen in this sphere since a month after that win. Running consistently well over hurdles this winter and respected back in this sphere.

Form: 412419/

(3)

Indian Red²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: P Mulrennan| T: M H Tompkins| OR: 57

12/1

Just one win from 12 starts, coming when gaining an uncontested lead at Wolverhampton. Little chance of that here and sole turf start was a poor effort.

Form: 5-31643

(9)

Something Brewing²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: G Lee| T: I Jardine| OR: 57| BF

8/1

Won at Newcastle in a jumpers' bumper last month. Needs to prove he has the stamina for this test but looks on a very workable handicap mark and interesting to see how he fares in the market.

Form: 078-465

(7)

Becky The Thatcher^p1⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: P Hanagan| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 51

5/1

Yet to win in 15 Flat starts but has been running well over hurdles this winter and she looks on a very workable mark. Interesting runner for a yard in form. Wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 2630-06

Non-Runners

(5)

Argante²⁰

Weight: 9-9| Age: 9

T: H Spiller J: S De Sousa

Forecasts

Uptown Funk (9/2), Becky The Thatcher (5/1), Bodacious Name (5/1), Wemyss Point (6/1), Something Brewing (8/1), Tyrell (9/1), Madam Lilibet (9/1), Indian Red (12/1), Argante (14/1), American Life (16/1), Gran Maestro (20/1), Ballyfarsoon (50/1)

A wide open contest. American Life won this race in 2016 and has been in good form over hurdles lately, if he transfers that to the Flat he could be a force once again. Madam Lilibet placed behind that rival in 2016 and she has claims given her current form but BECKY THE THATCHER makes most appeal given her lenient mark. She may not have won on the Flat as of yet but she's run well this winter and first-time headgear could see her improve.