16:15 Pontefract

Sunday 25 June 2023

All15:4516:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:45

Sky Bet Sunday Series Handicap

Off time: 16:21 | Winning time: 2m 11.69s

(8)

Oneforthegutter⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 87

16/1

Useful handicapper but he's winless since his debut in 2021. Off 7 months/had wind op, probably needed the run when eighth in 11-runner handicap at Chester (10.3f, heavy) in May but does at least come here operating from career-low mark and he's unexposed at this sort of trip.

Form: 60040-8

(11)

Eeetee¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 86| D

16/1

Dual winner last season who quickly put his York run behind him when making it 2 wins from 3 starts this campaign at Redcar (10f) last month. Shade too free upped to 12f for the first time in one of these events at Beverley a fortnight ago and better expected over this trip.

Form: 57-1016

(5)

Million Thanks¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: K P De Foy| OR: 85| BF

11/1

Yet to win in 2023 having moved yards but posted just about a career best minus tongue tie when second of 6 at Yarmouth 17 days ago (1m). Way he responded for pressure on that occasion suggests he's well worth another go at this distance.

Form: 922052

(2)

Cockalorum⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: Jason Hart| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 84| CD

11/2

Fallen long way in weights and confirmed his effectiveness fresh when ending losing run from the front at Ripon in April. Shade fortunate to make it back-to-back wins there earlier this month but he shaped very well when fourth in hat-trick bid at Chester, forced to be ridden with more restraint.

Form: 025-114

(7)

Prophet's Dream²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: Sir M Todd| OR: 82| D

11/2

Lightly-raced 4-y-o but progressive in handicaps, displaying a very willing attitude when supplementing his Bath success at Leicester last month. Up just 1 lb so demands respect in his hat-trick bid.

Form: 4/752-11

(6)

Knight Of Honour¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: D Nolan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 79| D

33/1

Winner at Sakhir in January but it hasn't really clicked back in Britain of late, albeit couple of steadily-run races of late haven't helped his cause. Dropped in trip so certainly requires a good pace to aim at.

Form: 083696

(4)

My Little Queens¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 78| D

7/1

Returned an improved performer this spring, making a successful reappearance at Chelmsford and better than ever for latest win in a Sunday Series handicap at Hamilton last month. Always on the back foot at Beverley since and that run probably best overlooked.

Form: 53-1216

(3)

Highwaygrey⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 74| CD

11/2

Returned with a solid third at Haydock (10f) in April, travelling better than most and not knocked about. Unable to fully build on that since, but he was third in this from a higher mark a year ago and he was a shade better than the result at York 9 days ago.

Form: 30-3855

(9)

Forceful Speed^t1⁸⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: W Buick| T: G Boughey| OR: 80| BF| CD

8/1

Successful twice at 2 yrs, namely a Wolverhampton nursery and a C&D novice. Possibly needed the run on return at Doncaster where the testing conditions may not have been ideal, and sports a first-time hood/tongue strap upped in trip here.

Form: 61215-5

(1)

Paddy The Squire^t⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 79

10/3

Different proposition on the back of a wind op when second at 80/1 in a Chester maiden last month. This a different environment now handicapping but he's well bred and unexposed.

Form: 402

Non-Runners

(10)

Shimmering Sands²²

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: M & D Easterby J: Shane Gray

Forecasts

Paddy The Squire (10/3), Shimmering Sands (7/2), Highwaygrey (11/2), Cockalorum (11/2), Prophet's Dream (11/2), My Little Queens (7/1), Forceful Speed (8/1), Million Thanks (11/1), Eeetee (16/1), Oneforthegutter (16/1), Knight Of Honour (33/1)

SHIMMERING SANDS confirmed the promise of his reappearance in no uncertain terms fitted with a tongue tie at Doncaster 3 weeks ago, looking some way ahead of his mark in the process. The assessor has reacted with a 6 lb rise but that looks lenient, so he's the one to be with. Prophet's Dream is an improving 4-y-o chasing a hat-trick so demands respect, with Million Thanks completing the shortlist.