13:00 Pontefract

Tuesday 5 April 2022

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:25

2022 Season Starts Here Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 2m 47.14s

(8)

Magna Moralia¹³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 77

20/1

Below form eighth of 14 in handicap hurdle at Hexham (16.2f, good to soft, 15/2) when last seen in November. Capable off this sort of mark on the Flat, but latest effort in this sphere was poor and others make more appeal.

Form: 326520-

(2)

Maketh Believeth^p¹⁶⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: George Rooke| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 76| D

7/2

Very good second of 10 in handicap at Newbury (13.3f, heavy, 8/1) on final start of 2021 (gelded since). Nudged up just 1 lb, which is very fair considering that he pulled nicely clear of the rest, and will be a threat if fully tuned-up.

Form: 212542-

(5)

Alsithee²⁷²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Joanna Mason| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 71

50/1

Thrice-raced maiden. Third of 4 in maiden at Catterick (12.1f, good to soft, 7/2), ridden too aggressively. Off 9 months and needs to raise his game now handicapping.

Form: 4/43-

(9)

Champagne Terri⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Ryan Sexton⁽⁷⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 68

10/3

Two lengths second of 13 to Ghadbbaan in handicap at Doncaster (11.9f, good, 14/1) 9 days ago. Enjoys a handy pull at the weights with that rival now and forecast slower ground no problem, so she merits respect.

Form: 4125/7-2

(3)

Ghadbbaan⁹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Jonny Peate⁽⁵⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 63| D

15/8

Career best when winning 13-runner handicap (9/1) at Doncaster (11.9f, good) 9 days ago by 2 lengths from Champagne Terri, keeping on well. Obvious claims under a penalty.

Form: 25376-1

(4)

Let Her Loose¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Connor Murtagh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 64| D

14/1

Latest win at Southwell in March. 11/2, creditable fourth of 9 in handicap at the same course (12.1f) 19 days ago, running on. Should make her presence felt.

Form: 90-4614

(1)

Lopes Dancer²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 9-3| J: O McSweeney⁽³⁾| T: H Bethell| OR: 62| D

9/1

Latest win at Wolverhampton in January. Creditable fourth of 8 in handicap at Newcastle (12.4f, 10/3) 20 days ago. Possibilities if he is able to continue the good work back on turf.

Form: 64-6144

(7)

Red Derek^p¹⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Zak Wheatley⁽⁵⁾| T: L Williamson| OR: 60

33/1

One win from 27 Flat runs. Good second of 11 in handicap at Redcar (14f, soft, 15/2) when last seen in November, but his modest strike rate is rather off-putting.

Form: 766532-

(6)

Lucky Draw²³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: E De Giles| OR: 54| D

11/1

5/1, last of 8 in handicap at Kempton (12f). Off 7 months and it's probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: 212U88-

Forecasts

Ghadbbaan (15/8), Champagne Terri (10/3), Maketh Believeth (7/2), Lopes Dancer (9/1), Lucky Draw (11/1), Let Her Loose (14/1), Magna Moralia (20/1), Red Derek (33/1), Alsithee (50/1)

The vote goes to MAKETH BELIEVETH, who posted his best effort yet when worn down close home by an upwardly mobile filly at Newbury in October. That was just his third start on turf, so there could easily be better to come from this 4-y-o and he will surely go close if fully tuned-up for this assignment. Recent Doncaster 1-2 Ghadbbaan and Champagne Terri are both greatly respected, while Let Her Loose also has claims.