15:45 Pontefract

Tuesday 9 July 2019

All14:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:4517:15

King Richard III Handicap

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 1m 17.54s

(1)

Sandra's Secret^v1⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: J L Eyre| OR: 90| CD

10/1

Rattled off a hat-trick last season on a sound surface, and now 3lb below her last winning mark. Has won over C&D, and is well drawn, but her last two runs have been abysmal, and she needs to be perked up by the fitting of a visor to take advantage.

Form: 112-400

(7)

Reflektor³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 90| D

14/1

Won off 1lb lower at Wolverhampton in March, and suited by a turning track. Gone off the boil on recent starts, but last two runs have come when poorly drawn on heavy ground, and he isn't judged too harshly in the circumstances.

Form: 481490

(5)

Tommy Taylor³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 89| D

9/4

Talented performer on his day with his latest win coming in a Listed race at York in September 2017. Good 2L second of 10 to Diocles of Rome at Doncaster last time, and return to 6f is fine, but will need luck in running given his style.

Form: 5-60302

(6)

Ower Fly⁸⁰

8/1

Won this contest last year from a 5lb higher mark. Out of form in two runs this season, but has since had wind surgery, so more than possible he will bounce back from a potentially lenient mark.

Form: 5560-07

(8)

Ventura Ocean¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 90| CD

13/2

Won over C&D last year, and again showed a liking for the track when scoring off 2lb lower on his reappearance. Well beaten twice at York since, but likely to have more to offer returned to his favoured venue.

Form: 775-100

(4)

Von Blucher^b¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: P J McDonald| T: R Menzies| OR: 82

7/2

Useful sort who was unsighted on his first few starts this year, but took a step back in the right direction when sixth of 12 to Staxton at Newcastle last time. Hard to predict, but now 5lb below his last winning mark, and dangerous to ignore.

Form: 2-00006

(3)

Key To Power¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Connor Beasley| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 79| D

9/1

Being kept busy, and clearly thriving on racing,. as she gained her third win of the year when battling to success over 5f at Lingfield ten days ago. Ought to go well with a repeat, and return to 6f no issue.

Form: 481581

(2)

Musharrif^t⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Zak Wheatley⁽⁷⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 73| C

17/2

Hasn't fired since running out an easy winner of an apprentice event at Ripon in May. Still above that winning mark, and arguably a little more effective over 5f, for all he stays this trip well enough.

Form: 614094

Forecasts

Tommy Taylor (9/4), Von Blucher (7/2), Ventura Ocean (13/2), Ower Fly (8/1), Musharrif (17/2), Key To Power (9/1), Sandra's Secret (10/1), Reflektor (14/1)

This could be fast and furious if Sandra's Secret is lit up by a visor, and it could pay to stick with the finishers, with VON BLUCHER preferred to Tommy Taylor after a better effort last time. He's well handicapped on last year's form and will relish a test at this trip. Key To Power is thriving on a busy schedule, and makes most appeal of the likely pace-setters.