15:10 Pontefract

Monday 17 October 2022

All13:0013:3014:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

Racing TV Club Day Handicap

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 2m 13.12s

(10)

Met Office¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: N Callan| T: J Butler| OR: 87| D

28/1

First run since leaving H-F. Devin when seventh of 9 in handicap at Leicester (10f, good to firm, 80/1) on UK debut 13 days ago, effort under 3f out, no extra final 1f. That was his first start for 23 months and this should reveal more.

Form: 91317/7

(6)

Myristica^p⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Sean Kirrane⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 86| D

25/1

Landed back-to-back handicaps at Ripon/Beverley in June but exploits have been a little hit and miss subsequently, tenth of 16 in handicap at York (10.2f, good to soft) 9 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Mark is easing at least.

Form: 125760

(7)

Jean Baptiste^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: S H James| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 85| D

20/1

Back-to-back winner at upto 10f during the summer and dispelled couple of lesser efforts when third in 16-runner York handicap (10.2f) 9 days ago. However, this mark is about right.

Form: 364063

(2)

Poker Face¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: James Doyle| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 87| C

10/11

Fastnet Rock gelding who impressed when making winning debut over 1m here in September and had little trouble following up when beating a fellow last-time-out winner at Newcastle (1m) 2 weeks later. Big player now handicapping up in trip with more to come.

Form: 11

(8)

Thunderclap¹³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: W Buick| T: H Morrison| OR: 83| CD

22/1

Did well as a 3-y-o, his season culminating in success in this race from 7 lb lower mark 12 months ago. Caught the eye on return at Kempton in May and can't have been himself at Redcar in June. Absent since but booking of Buick catches the eye here.

Form: 1031-78

(4)

Cockalorum^b²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: C Lee| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 81| CD

11/2

C&D winner. Sixteen runs since last win in 2021. Refitted with headgear, ran respectably when second of 10 in handicap at Hamilton (9.2f, good) 21 days ago. Claims of hitting the frame again from his reduced mark.

Form: 878402

(9)

Ghasham⁹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Rossa Ryan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 85| D

66/1

Low-mileage 3-y-o who opened account in a Cork maiden (10f) in April. Not disgraced in trio of handicaps thereafter for Joseph O'Brien and the market should prove useful back from 3 months off/on debut for new yard.

Form: 55-1463

(5)

Reach¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Connor Beasley| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 75| C

9/4

Sea The Stars filly who was impressive as she made her third start a winning one in a 12f maiden 2 weeks ago, showing good speed to settle matters in a matter of strides. Drop back in trip will hold no fears now handicapping and type to go on improving.

Form: 321

(3)

Billy Roberts⁷³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: Phil Dennis| T: S Whitaker| OR: 72| C| D

33/1

Course winner. Didn't need to improve to win 8-runner handicap at Haydock (10.2f, good, 10/3) 73 days ago, helped by being held up in strongly-run race. More on his plate in this deeper affair, however.

Form: 502221

Non-Runners

(1)

Regal Mirage³²

Weight: 9-3| Age: 8

T: T D Easterby J: D Allan

Forecasts

Poker Face (10/11), Reach (9/4), Cockalorum (11/2), Regal Mirage (12/1), Jean Baptiste (20/1), Thunderclap (22/1), Myristica (25/1), Met Office (28/1), Billy Roberts (33/1), Ghasham (66/1)

POKER FACE has impressed in landing each of his 2 starts in maiden/novice company over 1m in recent weeks, and with the prospect of plenty more to come now handicapping up in trip, he can make a bold bid to complete the hat-trick. Reach looks a very shrewd purchase judged on her facile maiden victory over further here 2 weeks ago and rates the lead threat, with Regal Mirage and Jean Baptiste making each-way appeal.