14:20 Pontefract

Wednesday 8 August 2018

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:25

Samantha Kerley Birthday Handicap (Gentleman Amateurs)

Off time: 14:22 | Winning time: 2m 18.57s

(8)

First Dance¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Patrick Millman| T: T P Tate| OR: 69

25/1

Won a 7f Kempton maiden this time last year for James Tate. Well held in both starts for this trainer, but dropping to a handy-looking mark and up to a trip that should suit. Very interesting.

Form: 0169-85

(5)

Final Rock^p⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Simon Walker| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 70| D

10/11

Seeking a four-timer under a penalty here and although his latest win was by less than 1L, he still looked as though he was not fully extended. Should remain tough to beat.

Form: 97-2111

(2)

Demurrer²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 10-10| J: Mr James King| T: M L W Bell| OR: 66

9/2

Could not get competitive as a novice, but subsequently gelded and reappeared by making all upped to 1m1f at Leicester (good to firm) last month. Up 4lb for that, but was in control there and makes the short-list.

Form: 7877-1

(4)

Make Me²²

Age: 3| Weight: 10-7| J: Mr William Easterby| T: T D Easterby| OR: 63

7/2

Make minor improvements with each start and his best effort was at Thirsk (1m, good) last time, when beaten less than 4L. Same mark today, but this step up in trip offers possibilities for improvement. Not ruled out.

Form: 6733

(6)

Different Journey^b⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Alexander Fielding⁽⁵⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 54

9/1

0-12 but was beaten just 1L in a lady amateurs' contest at Beverley (1m2f, good to firm) last month, from the same mark. Not the most consistent, but couldn't rule him out of the frame.

Form: 58-6254

(7)

Shearian¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Mr Garry Lavery| T: D Carroll| OR: 51| D

33/1

Has once won over this far, on the flatter Ripon circuit, but shows his best over 1m at Southwell. Fast ground is not ideal and with no turf win since 2013, others are preferred.

Form: 3-10570

Non-Runners

(1)

Earthly¹¹

Weight: 10-13| Age: 4

T: B J Llewellyn J: Non Runner

(3)

Excalibur⁸

Weight: 10-3| Age: 5

T: Micky Hammond J: Billy Garritty

Forecasts

Final Rock (10/11), Make Me (7/2), Demurrer (9/2), Different Journey (9/1), Earthly (12/1), Excalibur (16/1), First Dance (25/1), Shearian (33/1)

An interesting opener, with FINAL ROCK difficult to oppose on his great recent run of form, despite this latest penalty. However, things should be getting tougher today and there are others with a squeak in this, including First Dance, Demurrer, Excalibur and Make Me.