14:50 Pontefract

Monday 15 April 2019

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:2017:50

Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 1m 45.05s

(1)

Space Bandit¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Mark Crehan⁽⁷⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 87| D

2/1

Has won three of his seven starts since joining this yard, all on AW and impressive last time when producing a game effort at Southwell. Needs to prove he can be as effective away from that unique surface but has race fitness on his side.

Form: 1-46121

(10)

Cote d'Azur¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: D Allan| T: J L Eyre| OR: 86| D

11/2

Inconsistent last season, seen at his best when allowed an uncontested lead. Wide draw not ideal for those tactics here but his comeback run at Doncaster last month suggested a return to form may be imminent.

Form: 50004-5

(5)

Delph Crescent^p¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 82| D

7/1

All three of his wins have come over further than this and his comeback effort at Doncaster was devoid of encouragement, last of 12 and weakened a long way out; needs to leave that run behind.

Form: 15146-0

(4)

Hortzadar²⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 81| D

12/1

Didn't need to improve to win a poor maiden in France on his fourth start. Well beaten next time out at Saint-Cloud and the handicapper has taken no chances with his opening handicap mark.

Form: 33218-

(7)

Whitehall^p1²¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: S De Sousa| T: G A Harker| OR: 78| D

16/1

Just one win from his 11 starts and his form tailed off towards the back end of last season. Has had issues leaving the stalls on several starts and while the booking of De Sousa is a positive, he looks opposable here. Wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 134273-

(8)

Courtside¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 78| BF| D

4/1

One win from 10 starts and that came on AW at Chelmsford over this trip. Well backed prior to a respectable reappearance at Doncaster on debut for this yard and an obvious player if he can build on that here.

Form: 34267-0

(9)

Ghayyar^t¹⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 76| D

20/1

All three of his wins have come with firm in the going description so will want the rain to stay away. Form tailed off towards the back end of last year but on a reasonable handicap mark as a result and has claims if he can bounce back.

Form: 954068-

(2)

Dark Devil^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 74| D

13/2

Can be slow to start in his races and tends to need plenty of dig in the ground to be seen at his best. Showed very little on his return at Doncaster and opposable here.

Form: 45340-0

(3)

Staplegrove¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Connor Beasley| T: P A Kirby| OR: 71

33/1

A maiden after five starts and hasn't beaten a rival home in two starts in handicap company for his new yard; plenty to prove now.

Form: 843-00

Non-Runners

(6)

Trinity Star¹⁷

Weight: 8-13| Age: 8

T: Karen McLintock J: P J McDonald

Forecasts

Space Bandit (2/1), Courtside (4/1), Cote d'Azur (11/2), Dark Devil (13/2), Delph Crescent (7/1), Trinity Star (10/1), Hortzadar (12/1), Whitehall (16/1), Ghayyar (20/1), Staplegrove (33/1)

If COURTSIDE comes on for his run at Doncaster last month, he could be the one to follow after some significant market support on his seasonal reappearance. Ghayyar returns on a workable handicap mark while three-time course and distance winner Trinity Star is another who can come on for his run last time out.