17:10 Pontefract

Sunday 29 July 2018

All14:0014:3015:0015:3516:0516:3517:10

Fly High Faye Nickels Handicap

Off time: 17:11 | Winning time: 1m 3.89s

(4)

Musharrif⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: D Nolan| T: D Carroll| OR: 69| BF| D

3/1

Runner-up at Beverley (5f, good to firm) this week in a race he'd won last year, runs from the same mark now and no reason he won't go well, though is shipping weight to most rivals.

Form: 062432

(7)

Canford Bay⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 69| D

17/2

Very consistent in five starts since reappearing in mid-June at Thirsk, all runs over 5f/5½f and in contention each time with a win at Wetherby. Up another 1lb here, minor concern that busy spell will catch up.

Form: 4-51252

(9)

Classic Pursuit^b⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: S De Sousa| T: M Appleby| OR: 68| D

4/1

Last couple of efforts at Doncaster (second) and Nottingham (fifth) have been much more like it having taken couple of starts to warm up. Chance he'll go well here if keeping powder dry in the early exchanges.

Form: 280725

(1)

One Boy³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Oakley Brown⁽⁷⁾| T: P T Midgley| OR: 64| D

10/1

5f specialist who is more than capable on his day (7 from 57); and is dropping towards a winnable mark once more. Second start after a wind operation and worth some scrutiny.

Form: 0-77495

(8)

Geoff Potts²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 64

5/1

On a good mark but is only 1 from 19 on turf and again failed to handle firm ground at Carlisle last time. Would likely prefer to see some rain falling.

Form: 374294

(10)

Scoundrel^p⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 66| D

8/1

Had been a little inconsistent before coming good at Musselburgh (5f, good to firm) earlier in the month, run two fair races since from this mark but has ground to make up on Musharrif from Beverley joust earlier in the week.

Form: 073126

(2)

Rock Hill⁹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 62

10/1

Well held on all three starts in handicaps so far, entitled to have come on a bit from first run for seven months at Doncaster (6f, soft), but somewhat off-putting that it has taken 92 days to see him again. That was a decent effort nonetheless.

Form: 05669-4

(6)

Twentysvnthlancers²³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: D C Costello| T: P T Midgley| OR: 56| D

25/1

Unreliable type who has been a little in-and-out this year (not unusual for him), scoring at Musselburgh in May (5f, good) before a few poor runs. Competitive again this month at Beverley and can't rule him out.

Form: 217304

(5)

Oriental Splendour^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 55| CD

11/2

Has tumbled to a career-low mark, signs at Beverley (5f, good to firm) last month he might take advantage and Hamilton run since excusable. This track more likely to suit (both career wins over C&D) and gained another 2lb relief. Interesting runner.

Form: 678553

(3)

Knockamany Bends^h¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: Nathan Evans| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 49| CD

33/1

C&D winner in 2015, other three successes all come in Class 6 contest. Shaped well for much of the way on return to action at Hamilton 10 days ago, but faded late, needs to come on for the run. Others more likely.

Form: 910-895

Forecasts

Musharrif (3/1), Classic Pursuit (4/1), Geoff Potts (5/1), Oriental Splendour (11/2), Scoundrel (8/1), Canford Bay (17/2), One Boy (10/1), Rock Hill (10/1), Twentysvnthlancers (25/1), Knockamany Bends (33/1)

The pair at the top of the weights likely boast the strongest credentials. Musharrif went well this week at Beverley and should be in the mix, while Canford Bay has been very consistent this term but there is just a nagging doubt a sixth run in a little over a month might find him out. One Boy is heading for a winnable mark and is noted on second start after a wind op but right down near the foot of the card a chance is given to ORIENTAL SPLENDOUR. Ruth Carr's runner went well this month at Beverley and is easily forgiven a poor effort since at Hamilton, both his career wins have been over this C&D and from his lowest handicap mark to date, he could add another.