20:00 Pontefract

Friday 19 July 2019

All18:2518:5519:3020:0020:3521:05

VW Volkswagen Van Centre (Leeds) Ltd Optional Claiming Handicap

Off time: 20:02 | Winning time: 1m 48.57s

(7)

Waarif⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 98| CD

5/2

Won this race last year from a 12lb lower handicap mark. Has won four races since that success and this is easier than his assignment at York last time out but he doesn't hold any secrets from the handicapper.

Form: 915210

(10)

Masham Star⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 93| D

9/1

Losing run now stands at 21 and still 1lb above his last winning handicap mark. Probably did too much too soon at York last time out and has been running okay in defeat of late but wide draw not ideal for his front-running tactics.

Form: 243824

(1)

Max Zorin⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 91| D

14/1

Hasn't won since a maiden success in 2016 and has barely beaten a rival home in three starts this campaign. Missed last season but did place in Listed class (Dee Stakes) back in 2017 and well-handicapped on that form. Dropped 5lb for latest run.

Form: 343/005

(6)

Enigmatic⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Darragh Keenan⁽⁵⁾| T: A Bailey| OR: 89| D

7/1

Impressive when winning a 20-runner handicap at Ascot on return in May but hasn't been as effective from his revised handicap mark subsequently. Still 4lb above his highest winning mark and no obvious excuses last time.

Form: 60-1455

(5)

Star Of Southwold²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 88

7/2

Improving since joining this yard and has won twice at Chelmsford this year. Smart effort behind a subsequent winner at Carlisle last time when bidding to make all and he's a fascinating runner here with the stiff nature of this track sure to suit.

Form: 220412

(2)

Brother McGonagall¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 82| D

16/1

Rattled off a hat-trick last year and got his head back in front in impressive fashion at Beverley last month, benefiting from a fine ride. Hasn't been as effective from his revised mark and beaten a long way on his sole course start last year.

Form: 066194

(9)

Tadaawol^p¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 81| D

16/1

Largely in very good form so far this year, winning at Carlisle earlier in the campaign and only narrowly denied last time out. This is tougher though and he's above his highest winning handicap mark.

Form: 381032

(8)

Wind In My Sails²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Barry McHugh| T: E De Giles| OR: 79| D

33/1

Gained a first success since 2016 in an apprentice handicap at Newbury on seasonal bow. Hasn't built on that from his revised mark subsequently though and merely passing beaten rivals when fifth at Doncaster last time.

Form: 530-145

(4)

Juanito Chico^h¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: F Norton| T: S C Williams| OR: 74| D

11/1

A winner on return to turf at Nottingham earlier in the campaign and back on his last winning handicap mark after some below par subsequent efforts. Hood back on, replacing cheekpieces and others make more appeal.

Form: 106444

(3)

Calvados Spirit¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-2| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 72

7/1

Hasn't won since an AW success in 2017. Starting to look very well-handicapped and he's shaped like a return to form may be imminent in his last couple of starts; hardly one to have a lot of faith in though.

Form: 5-06436

Forecasts

Waarif (5/2), Star Of Southwold (7/2), Calvados Spirit (7/1), Enigmatic (7/1), Masham Star (9/1), Juanito Chico (11/1), Max Zorin (14/1), Tadaawol (16/1), Brother McGonagall (16/1), Wind In My Sails (33/1)

STAR OF SOUTHWOLD is well-in on official ratings after an excellent second at Carlisle last time out and while he's sure to face some pace pressure and may not get it all his own way up front, he's the one that looks to be ahead of the handicapper. Last year's winner of this race, Waarif, has to be respected again and he should find this easier than the race at York he contested last time out. Expect Wind In My Sails to be doing all his best work in the finish and he could be the one that benefits if they go too quick on the front end.