Watch Racing TV Now Claiming Stakes

Off time: 15:06 | Winning time: 3m 34.17s

(4)

Valkenburg^p¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: J Fanning| T: W Bethell| OR: 63| C

4/6

Moody/quirky performer; capable of a good performance when showing the best side of his temperament. Did just that when winning at Pontefract in April (2m2f); below form back at the same venue last time; drop in grade should help if on a going day.

Form: 148665

(2)

Gemini^p1¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 63

9/4

Fair handicapper at up to 1m6f when with Charles Hills, now struggling to repeat that sort off form for her current yard. Ran poorly last time (10L behind Valkenburg) failing to build on what appeared a step forward the time before; cheekpieces on.

Form: 14-5636

(1)

Bold Statement⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Berry| OR: 49

50/1

Fair maiden in the past; appears to have retained very little of his old ability; struggled all four starts for his current yard. Did at least manage to beat one rival home last time; hard to raise any enthusiasm for his chance at the weights/trip.

Form: 570508

(5)

Royal Liberty¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: S H James| T: G A Harker| OR: 47

28/1

Looks a doubtful stayer at this trip having failed to see out 1m4f effectively last time in a Beverley selling handicap. Often slow away and racing off the pace he faces a stiff task at the weights; makes no more than very limited appeal.

Form: 800388

(6)

Demophon¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: G Lee| T: S Flook| OR: 44

15/2

Long-standing maiden (0-25 on the Flat) who did at least run to something near his best at Chelmsford early last month over 2m. Poor last time out though over 2f further he would need others to falter to finally get off the mark.

Form: 957446

(3)

Fast And Friendly³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Connor Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: F P Murtagh

66/1

Little sign of much ability in a varied spread of events which have seen him appear in bumpers and over hurdles (only completed once in that sphere). Flat debut (started 200-1) offered little more hope that he could find a winning opportunity.

Form: 0

Forecasts

Valkenburg (4/6), Gemini (9/4), Demophon (15/2), Royal Liberty (28/1), Bold Statement (50/1), Fast And Friendly (66/1)

A race that as an investment opportunity is best avoided with the two leading candidates capable of throwing in a poor run and the other quartet lacking more than a modicum of ability. VALKENBURG has a least won a race this year and despite being capable of a less than enthusiastic display on occasions he was a fair way in front of his main rival Gemini when they met at Pontefract. John Quinn’s filly needs to bounce back from that defeat, the hopes that she may do being pinned on first-time cheekpieces. Demophon does have some form over staying trips and he’s chosen to take the minor place.