18:35 Pontefract

Monday 10 June 2019

All18:0518:3519:0519:3520:0520:3521:05

Tony Bethell Memorial Handicap

Off time: 18:37 | Winning time: 3m 54.45s

(11)

Michael's Mount³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: S De Sousa| T: Ian Williams| OR: 80| D

9/2

Useful dual purpose performer who loves soft ground and put up a respectable effort in defeat in the Chester Plate when last seen. Yet to win over this sort of trip on the Flat but still unexposed at this trip and has form at undulating tracks.

Form: 2313/84

(3)

Sassie⁵^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Gary Mahon⁽³⁾| T: S Kirk| OR: 74

3/1

Bolted up at Kempton last week but the field gave the front two a very easy lead that day and it's probably advisable not to take that form literally. Still respected under a 5lb penalty given that she's been in good form this campaign.

Form: 541-531

(4)

Glan Y Gors^b²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: C Lee| T: D Thompson| OR: 77| C

16/1

Has four wins from 28 starts but just one from eight on turf. That did come at this venue in 2015 but he's unproven on this ground and he's probably better at around 1m4f.

Form: 263026

(9)

True Destiny²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Adam J McNamara| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 77

13/2

In fine form since wind surgery in the winter and unlucky not to be on a four-timer here having been narrowly denied at Chelmsford two starts back. Up 8lb for his latest success but only going one way at present; soft ground an unknown.

Form: 16-3121

(12)

Waiting For Richie²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Sullivan| T: T P Tate| OR: 75

50/1

In good form at the end of 2017 but only seen once last year and while he recorded another career win that day at York, he couldn't beat a rival home in the same race this time around. Hard to know where he's at right now and soft ground an unknown.

Form: 4123/1-0

(8)

Echo^b⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 74| BF

8/1

Narrowly denied in a four-timer bid last time at Doncaster and the form of that race franked with the third winning subsequently. Up another 3lb and has more on his plate here but quite possible there's more to come over this marathon trip.

Form: 58-1112

(7)

Wind Place And Sho⁹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Ryan Tate| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 74| C

25/1

Course winner in 2016 and has been campaigned in both disciplines since then, returning just one hurdles. Temperament a major concern having refused to race over hurdles on last two runs, but notably well-handicapped if he can get away on terms.

Form: 906/435-

(13)

Attention Seaker^t¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 8-9| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 68

12/1

Needed the run on her long awaited return at Ripon but put up a big effort at Carlisle subsequently when only beaten ½L. May be able to build on that and proven at this trip and on forecast conditions.

Form: 1192/03

(5)

Bodacious Name¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 68| C

8/1

Dual course winner back on his last winning handicap mark after some slightly below par performances in three starts since returning in April. Should be in the mix back at his favourite venue and any deterioration of conditions is a positive.

Form: 811-544

(6)

Valkenburg⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Sean Davis⁽⁵⁾| T: H Bethell| OR: 67| C

9/1

Got his head back in front on just his second start for this yard at this venue in April. While only nudged up 1lb for that, he could only finish four of 10 at Nottingham last time and this is tougher again. Step back up in trip is in his favour.

Form: 1636-14

(1)

St Andrews^v¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-2| J: D Fentiman| T: G Boanas| OR: 55

40/1

Won an extended 2m race at Newcastle on final start of 2018 but hasn't been in the same form this time around and hard to fancy from 6lb out of the handicap.

Form: 451-749

(10)

General Allenby^b¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-2| J: A Mullen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 52

14/1

Only has one win from 22 starts and forced to operate from a 9lb out of the handicap here. Near impossible ask.

Form: 40369-2

Non-Runners

(2)

Dizoard¹¹

Weight: 8-2| Age: 9

T: I Jardine J: Jamie Gormley

Forecasts

Sassie (3/1), Michael's Mount (9/2), True Destiny (13/2), Bodacious Name (8/1), Echo (8/1), Valkenburg (9/1), Attention Seaker (12/1), General Allenby (14/1), Glan Y Gors (16/1), Wind Place And Sho (25/1), Dizoard (25/1), St Andrews (40/1), Waiting For Richie (50/1)

A red-hot renewal of this marathon stayers' contest and there's a host in with live chances. ECHO may be the one to keep on side given that he's unexposed at this sort of trip and has less miles on the clock than most in here. Sassie hacked up at Kempton last time and while she was gifted an easy lead that day, there's no doubting she's in fine form. Michael's Mount is another with a live chance after a solid effort in the Chester Plate last time out.