17:00 Pontefract

Thursday 23 July 2020

All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:2517:0017:35

Alamo Business Systems Handicap

Off time: 17:04 | Winning time: 2m 13.68s

(6)

Verify²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: E Walker| OR: 73| BF| D

9/2

Windsor (11,9f, good/firm) winner last September (remains only win, has looked quirky), shaped well enough two recent runs but still looked one to take care with. Didn't settle fully when fourth last time, could do with a strong gallop.

Form: 2214-24

(7)

King's Castle¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 79| BF| D

7/2

Failed to get the race run to suit when attempting to follow-up his 9.9f Beverley minor event win at Ripon (1m4f) last time (course may not have suited). Form from his win may have been weak, deserves another chance off a stronger gallop.

Form: 94-13

(1)

Bit Of A Quirke²⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: D C Costello| T: M Walford| OR: 69| D

22/1

Generally seen to good effect at Beverley (six-time winner there), still 2lb above his last wining mark gained at that course. Ended last year out off sorts though and not seen since, no great record when fresh, faces some in-form types.

Form: 214907-

(4)

Wise Eagle¹⁵⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: B A Curtis| T: Tom Clover| OR: 77

6/1

Quickly confirmed his debut promise early in the year over 1m on AW/Lingfield, strong in the betting when winning a maiden in good style. Returns switched to turf/up in trip for handicap debut, pedigree appeals, market to guide on prospects.

Form: 41

(3)

Le Bayou²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: J L Eyre| OR: 77

16/1

Still a maiden, was placed on all of her eight French starts at up to 10.4f (most of them in headgear). Headgear left off, ran as well as could be expected on GB/stable/handicap debut at Doncaster (1m, good/firm) off a stiff-looking mark, down 3lb.

Form: 32-4229

(8)

Highwaygrey⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 67| CD

4/1

Ought to have followed on his C&D reappearance win when mugged close home at Beverley last time by a course specialist over a similar trip. Often a slow starter he should get involved here if in the same form, does have an awkward draw to deal with.

Form: 6456-12

(2)

Mark Of Gold¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 75

7/2

Goes handicapping after two starts having stepped up on his promising debut effort last time at Windsor (8.1f, good/firm), kept on well under hands-and-heels riding. Will be suited by this trip, capable of more, looks on a very decent mark.

Form: 34

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 5p in the pound

Non-Runners

(5)

Salsada¹⁵⁹

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: Jedd O'Keeffe J: G Lee

Forecasts

Mark Of Gold (7/2), King's Castle (7/2), Highwaygrey (4/1), Verify (9/2), Wise Eagle (6/1), Salsada (11/1), Le Bayou (16/1), Bit Of A Quirke (22/1)

Tim Easterby won this last year and saddles Highwaygrey this time around who could but for the lack of concentration at Beverley last time be coming here on a hat-trick. However, he doesn’t have an easy task facing a host of likely 3yo improvers three of whom make their handicap debuts. Most interesting of the trio is MARK OF GOLD who caught the eye at Windsor last time finishing in front of Monash who is fancied for the previous contest. Tom Clover still has his string in fine form (double at Yarmouth yesterday) so his Wise Eagle must be respected along with King’s Castle who will be better suited by this course. Verify is a tricky customer who needs handling with care.