19:10 Pontefract

Monday 11 June 2018

All18:4019:1019:4020:1020:4021:10

Tony Bethell Memorial Handicap

Off time: 19:10 | Winning time: 3m 44.87s

(9)

Wind Place And Sho²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Ryan Tate| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 77| C

16/1

Losing run mounting up now and blotted his copybook when refusing to race over hurdles last time out. Last win did come at this course over 1f further from an 8lb higher mark so can't be ruled out if a return to this sphere sparks a revival.

Form: 00/5906-

(4)

Azam^p¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 78

10/1

Has won three times in his career but yet to win in nine turf starts. Better efforts have come on a quicker surface so has each-way claims if the rain stays away and useful when allowed an easy lead but others likely to be better handicapped.

Form: 431923

(7)

Graceful Lady¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Darragh Keenan⁽⁷⁾| T: R Eddery| OR: 72

10/1

Very progressive last year and while the handicapper eventually caught up with her, she's getting back towards her last winning mark now. Came good around this time last year and not ruled out here.

Form: 4557-65

(8)

Wemyss Point^p²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: P Aspell| T: P A Kirby| OR: 72| C

8/1

Gained his first Flat success in the marathon handicap here in April. Only up 4lb for that and while he was pulled up over hurdles since, he has claims back in this sphere at a course he's proven at.

Form: 98-31

(2)

Tyrell³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: D Tudhope| T: L A Mullaney| OR: 69

9/2

Progressive on the Flat in 2016 and while he failed to get his head in front last year, he returned to form over hurdles last time at Ayr and has claims from a workable mark and nice draw on debut for new yard.

Form: 33420-9

(6)

Icefall¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 67| C

8/1

Struggling for any sort of form of late but did win his maiden here and is becoming dangerously well-handicapped on old form. Shown nothing two starts this year and others look more likely winners.

Form: 0809-94

(10)

Katie Gale²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-10| J: A Mullen| T: R Brisland| OR: 66

20/1

Has been in good form since joining this yard and still well-handicapped on her form of 2015. 8lb better off at the weights with Becky The Thatcher for a 5¾L defeat from last time out and may finish a bit closer to that rival. Draw not ideal though.

Form: 201323

(1)

Becky The Thatcher^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-6| J: F Norton| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 62| D

5/4

Ran well behind Wemyss Point here in the marathon handicap and stepped up on that with a 5L success at Carlisle last time (Katie Gale back in third). Handicapper has not gone overboard and still feasibly handicapped on her hurdles form.

Form: 30/06-21

Non-Runners

(3)

Zakatal¹⁴

Weight: 9-5| Age: 12

T: R M Whitaker J: Cam Hardie

(5)

Waiting For Richie²⁵

Weight: 9-5| Age: 5

T: T P Tate J: J P Sullivan

Forecasts

Becky The Thatcher (5/4), Waiting For Richie (3/1), Tyrell (9/2), Icefall (8/1), Wemyss Point (8/1), Graceful Lady (10/1), Azam (10/1), Wind Place And Sho (16/1), Katie Gale (20/1), Zakatal (25/1)

A highly competitive stayers' contest in which BECKY THE THATCHER is the tentative selection. She shaped with plenty of promise here before winning by five lengths last time and there could be more to come from her this season. Waiting For Richie can't be ruled out after some lenient handicapping from the assessor and Tyrell isn't ruled out if he can replicate his recent hurdles form on the level.