17:50 Pontefract

Wednesday 7 August 2019

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

Keith Hammill Memorial Handicap

Off time: 17:51 | Winning time: 1m 16.43s

(5)

Galloway Hills^p¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: C J McGovern⁽³⁾| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 82| D

7/1

5lb rise for landing a competitive York (6f; good to soft) handicap has held him back a bit the last twice. Could only manage sixth at Redcar (6f; good to firm) last time and is likely to play another minor role.

Form: 473156

(9)

Ower Fly¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: P J McDonald| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 80| CD

8/1

Showed slightly more when fifth at Ascot (7f; good to soft) last time but more is required overall. Scored off a higher mark over C&D last season, however, others look more solid propositions.

Form: 60-0765

(11)

Magical Effect¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Jamie Gormley| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 77| BF| CD

11/2

Just over a length behind Highly Sprung here last time out after he had won a competitive race over C&D. Fascinating to see how he fares as he renews rivalry with Highly Sprung. Obvious contender.

Form: 442813

(4)

Private Matter^b³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: B A Curtis| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 77| D

9/1

Fair effort when third at Doncaster (7f; good to firm)on his most recent outing. Been dropped 2lb in the weights since then, and should hold fair place claims if the blinkers have a positive effect once again.

Form: 35-4783

(7)

Highly Sprung¹⁰^{(ex 5)}

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁵⁾| T: J L Eyre| OR: 72| CD

11/2

Possesses an excellent course record (five-time C&D winner). Followed up runner-up effort here in June with a win over C&D last week. Slightly exposed with the penalty, but should still make a bold bid.

Form: 310021

(1)

Wasntexpectingthat¹¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 80WS

12/1

Made fine start to 2019 campaign when running well in Ireland, but subsequently produced a major below-par effort when well-beaten at Newbury. Given a wind-op and time off since then, and shouldn't be ruled out.

Form: 1530-40

(2)

Mr Orange^p¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 75| CD

8/1

Took advantage of reduced mark to make it four wins over C&D last time out. Raised 4lb for that narrow margin victory, but has won off higher marks in the past and can remain competitive.

Form: 636701

(6)

Baby Steps¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: R Kingscote| T: D Loughnane| OR: 78| D

13/2

Followed up respectable pair of placed efforts with a narrow win on the AW at Wolverhampton (6f; standard) last month. Up 3lb which is fair, as it was a warm race. Should remain competitive once more.

Form: 750231

(8)

Full Intention^p¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: R Ffrench| T: Mrs L Pearce| OR: 69

20/1

More like it when runner-up to well-fancied sort at Newmarket (July) (7f; good to firm) last time. Drops in trip to 6f now, but record over the distance isn't overly appealing. Did finish runner-up over C&D twice last summer though.

Form: 105062

(10)

Luzum⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: K T O'Neill| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 68

14/1

Seemed to be progressing with each start before a below-par couple of runs the last twice. Finished last in a nine-runner race last time at Ayr (7f; soft). Drops back in trip, but hard to forget manner of latest defeat.

Form: 8-62149

(12)

Penny Pot Lane^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: R M Whitaker| OR: 65| CD

25/1

Likes it here (won twice over C&D), but she must better what she has produced the last twice. Failed to beat a single rival in a four-runner affair over further last time at Doncaster (7f; good to firm).

Form: 926164

(3)

Avenue Of Stars^v²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Jason Hart| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 64| CD

12/1

Bettered recent efforts when third at Hamilton (6f; good) last time on ground that wouldn't have suited. Has won over C&D in the past, and would hold a fair each-way chance if the rain arrives.

Form: 452683

Forecasts

Magical Effect (11/2), Highly Sprung (11/2), Baby Steps (13/2), Galloway Hills (7/1), Mr Orange (8/1), Ower Fly (8/1), Private Matter (9/1), Avenue Of Stars (12/1), Wasntexpectingthat (12/1), Luzum (14/1), Full Intention (20/1), Penny Pot Lane (25/1)

A fiendishly difficult puzzle to solve in the finale. Baby Steps is considered after turning over a warm favourite when grinding out his first win on the AW recently. Wasntexpectingthat is the dark horse in this contest as he returns from a 117-day break after having wind surgery to solve what may have been the problem when he flopped last time out. However, the pair to focus on are Highly Sprung and MAGICAL EFFECT. The pair both have admirable records over C&D, and are closely matched on the form of their encounter here 10 days ago. The latter is narrowly fancied to reverse the form after he suffered trouble in-running at a vital time when the pair last met.