14:00 Pontefract

Tuesday 11 April 2023

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:05

Philip Grundy Rising 70 Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 2m 50.17s

(9)

Appier¹⁷⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Connor Planas⁽⁵⁾| T: S Woods| OR: 76| BF| D

10/1

Won his first 4 handicaps at the start of last summer and went in again at Newcastle in September. Ended the year with a couple of respectable efforts on AW. Can be very competitive off this mark but soft ground would be an unknown.

Form: 335154-

(8)

Myboymax^t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Aiden Brookes⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 73| D

17/2

Has started 2023 on a low note but he's now back to the mark off which he gained the last of his 3 wins in 2022. Has a tongue tie refitted. Placed on both previous visits here. No shock were he to stage a revival.

Form: 461-778

(5)

Tidal Storm⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Saffie Osborne| T: E Walker| OR: 71| D

7/1

Successul over this trip on AW at Kempton last summer. Third on hurdle debut just after Christmas but ran poorly at Doncaster next time and now reverts to the Flat after 2 months off.

Form: 5/67197-

(6)

Al Azhar^p¹⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Aidan Keeley⁽³⁾| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 71| D

17/2

Successful twice on turf at the start of last season, including reappearance. Ended 2023 on a low note but he's back on a favourable mark and is clearly capable when fresh. One of the more likely types.

Form: 120868-

(11)

Tralee Hills^b⁷⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: William Carver| T: S Hodgson| OR: 71| D

10/1

Eighteen runs since last win in 2021 but there have been plenty of creditable efforts since then, including third close at Lingfield in January. Freshened up since a respectable fifth there at the end of that month. Handles soft turf well.

Form: 5277-35

(4)

The Nu Form Way¹⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Laura Pearson| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 70| D

11/1

Made winning start for this yard at Chester last July but largely struggled thereafter and watching brief is advised on this first outing since November.

Form: 185050-

(1)

Highlighter¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Ryan Sexton| T: G Tutty| OR: 70

11/2

Unexposed sort who didn't make too bad a start in handicaps when fifth of 9 at Doncaster (1¼m, heavy) 10 days ago and is likely capable of better again now stepping up in trip. Big player under Ryan Sexton.

Form: 4-565

(3)

Claritudo¹⁷⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Kaiya Fraser⁽⁵⁾| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 68

11/5

Winner at Redcar (1¾m) in May. Ended last season with a good third there (1¾m, good to soft) in October. Contender if ready to roll after 6 months off.

Form: 214553-

(10)

Big Cheese¹⁶⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Mr Taylor Fisher⁽³⁾| T: E Bethell| OR: 67

14/1

Showed fair form in 3 qualifying runs last year and his lightly-raced profile makes him an interesting one for handicaps. Respected.

Form: 347-

(7)

Virtuoso²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Mark Winn⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 64

40/1

Won a 1¾m Ffos Las handicap on soft for Andrew Balding last summer. Beaten a long way in 3 hurdles for current yard this year but may fare better back on the Flat with ground conditions likely to be in her favour.

Form: 425518-

Non-Runners

(2)

Bay Dream Believer⁷⁹

Weight: 9-1| Age: 4

T: M Walford J: Jonny Peate

Forecasts

Claritudo (11/5), Highlighter (11/2), Tidal Storm (7/1), Al Azhar (17/2), Myboymax (17/2), Appier (10/1), Tralee Hills (10/1), The Nu Form Way (11/1), Big Cheese (14/1), Bay Dream Believer (20/1), Virtuoso (40/1)

HIGHLIGHTER's pedigree suggests he could have more to offer now stepping up to 1½m so he's the suggestion. Fellow unexposed sort Big Cheese is an interesting opponent, particularly if the betting vibes are positive on his return to action. Claritudo hit the ground running last spring and also makes the shortlist.