17:45 Pontefract

Sunday 25 June 2023

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

Sky Bet Sunday Series Middle-Distance Handicap

Off time: 17:45 | Winning time: 2m 37.76s

(3)

Tamilla²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 86| D

15/2

Dual winner last term and signed off her 3-y-o campaign with a respectable effort at Haydock. Shaped as if better for the run when down the field on return at Goodwood last month, so she's not discounted with that under her belt.

Form: 42114-7

(8)

Haseefah²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: W Buick| T: A King| OR: 86| D

15/2

Scored twice last Spring and returned to action with an encouraging fifth at Epsom in April. Shaped well once again when third at Goodwood last month and she's threatening to come good soon.

Form: 1238-53

(6)

Geremia¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 84| BF| D

8/1

Habitual slow starter who finally ended his long losing run at Hamilton having threatened to do so numerous times in the interim. Ran to a similar level when third at Beverley a fortnight ago and should continue to give a good account.

Form: 053-413

(4)

Wootton'sun²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 83

8/1

Has returned in top form, finishing runner-up at this track (10f) before a staying-on third at Redcar (10f, good) last month. On a fair mark and ought not be long in winning again.

Form: 8155-23

(1)

Fairmac^b¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: F Norton| T: C Johnston| OR: 78| D

17/2

Capitalised on falling mark to land 14-runner handicap at Musselburgh (12.5f, soft) in April. Respectable midfield effort despite racing closer to the pace than ideal at Hamilton (13f) next time but below form at Beverley (12.1f, good to firm) a fortnight ago. 1 of 2 for this yard.

Form: 3-40168

(9)

Derry Lad⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: S A Gray| T: Kevin Coleman| OR: 77

14/1

Won over 1¼m at Sligo last term and took his form up a notch to resume winning ways back up in trip at Hamilton (11.1f, good) 6 weeks ago, staying on to lead final 100 yds. Has a pretty consistent overall profile so rates a solid each-way player.

Form: 4326-21

(5)

Carrigillihy¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Hart| T: T D Easterby| OR: 72| CD

11/1

Three-time C&D winner, including when posting a career best in an 8-runner handicap (good) last month, just holding on. Lost his unbeaten record at the track when fourth just under a fortnight ago and others make more appeal.

Form: 23-5314

(7)

Fox Journey²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 85| BF

15/8

Left last autumn's efforts in maiden/novice company behind when making a successful handicap debut over 1¼m at Newmarket last month. Found out by a 9 lb rise at Epsom just over 3 weeks ago but is fancied to have a big say in this grade upped to 1½m.

Form: 644-16

(2)

Bollin Margaret^p⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 70| D

14/1

Winless last year but mark has tumbled and justified good support to end the drought at Thirsk (12f) at the start of the month. Edged out on post in 3-runner handicap at Haydock next time and almost certainly remained in form when fourth in a big-field contest (11.8f) at York since.

Form: 452124

(11)

Demilion²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 83

18/1

Winning handicap debut at Wolverhampton in January and built on that in defeat subsequently, strong at the trip when runner-up at Chester (heavy) early last month. Failed to give his running under less testing ground than previously 3 weeks later so that tempers enthusiasm here.

Form: 3-12420

Non-Runners

(10)

Two Brothers¹⁴

Weight: 9-5| Age: 5

T: M & D Easterby J: Billy Garritty

Forecasts

Fox Journey (15/8), Two Brothers (13/2), Haseefah (15/2), Tamilla (15/2), Wootton'sun (8/1), Geremia (8/1), Fairmac (17/2), Carrigillihy (11/1), Derry Lad (14/1), Bollin Margaret (14/1), Demilion (18/1)

Plenty in with a squeak but the vote goes to FOX JOURNEY, who left previous efforts behind when making a successful reappearance/handicap debut at Newmarket last month, and with this extra distance sure to play to his strengths, Sir Michael Stoute's 3-y-o is taken to double his tally. Wootton'sun has returned in top form, so he could be the one to chase the selection home, with Derry Lad and Two Brothers also considered.