18:00 Pontefract

Friday 28 May 2021

All18:0018:3519:1019:4520:2020:50

Welcome Back To Pontefract Handicap

Off time: 18:00 | Winning time: 1m 47.93s

(2)

Bucephalus⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Sebastian Woods⁽⁵⁾| T: C F Wall| OR: 70

3/1

First run since leaving Ed Walker when fifth of 7 in handicap (9/1) at Nottingham (8.3f, good to firm) 41 days ago. Will need to settle better this time if he's to play a leading role.

Form: 6/5575-5

(5)

Irv¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Aiden Brookes⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 70| D

3/1

Twelve runs since last win in 2019. Bit below form fifth of 16 in handicap at Thirsk (8f, heavy, 6/1) 13 days ago, not ideally placed. Has dipped to a dangerous mark and he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 0700-55

(10)

Ugo Gregory^b,t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: P Hanagan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 69| BF

10/1

Fifth of 8 in handicap at Haydock (7.2f, heavy, 10/3) 20 days ago. Eased in grade now and has to enter calculations off a reduced mark and with conditions in his favour.

Form: 240-805

(6)

Oud Metha Bridge^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Sean Kirrane⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss J Feilden| OR: 67| D

12/1

Latest win at Kempton in November. 7/1, creditable third of 11 in handicap at Southwell (8.1f) 29 days ago. Effective on slow ground and no surprise if he's on the premises.

Form: 061-553

(3)

James Park Woods^p¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: D Tudhope| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 67| D

3/1

6/1, respectable fifth of 12 in handicap at Salisbury (7f, soft) 15 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Lurking on a workable mark and he's one to consider.

Form: 2337-85

(4)

Mustaqbal²¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: Aidan Redpath⁽⁷⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 64| D

33/1

6/1, seventh of 9 in handicap at Leicester (7f, heavy). Off 7 months and others make more appeal on this occasion.

Form: 417737-

(9)

Mikmak^p²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-13| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 62| D

12/1

Thirteen runs since last win in 2019. Seventh of 11 in handicap (11/1) at Southwell (8.1f) 29 days ago. Yard saddles a stronger candidate in Ugo Gregory.

Form: 0057-67

(1)

Curfewed^p²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: T Eaves| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 54| D

15/2

Twelve runs since last win in 2020. Below form seventh of 12 in handicap at Thirsk (8f, good, 9/1) 27 days ago, left poorly placed. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 079047

(7)

Spirit Of Sahara²¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: R Ffrench| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 54

80/1

Eleventh of 13 in handicap at Newcastle (8f, 25/1). Off 7 months and it's easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 25/0700-

Non-Runners

(8)

John Jasper¹³

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: D O'Meara J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Bucephalus (3/1), Irv (3/1), James Park Woods (3/1), Curfewed (15/2), John Jasper (8/1), Ugo Gregory (10/1), Mikmak (12/1), Oud Metha Bridge (12/1), Mustaqbal (33/1), Spirit Of Sahara (80/1)

Preference is for IRV, who wasn't seen to best effect at Thirsk recently and is better judged on his most encouraging C&D reappearance effort off a 2 lb higher mark in April. Ugo Gregory has edged down to an appealing mark and is feared with conditions to suit, while a similar comment applies to James Park Woods. Oud Metha Bridge is also shortlisted.