19:50 Pontefract

Friday 21 July 2023

All18:0518:4019:1519:5020:2521:00

John Winter & Co 60th Birthday Handicap

Off time: 19:50 | Winning time: 1m 1.7s

(6)

Rocket Rodney¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: B A Curtis| T: George Scott| OR: 96| D

9/2

Dual winner at 2 yrs and back on track when second of 8 in handicap (10/3) at Doncaster (5f, firm) 14 days ago. Warrants respect.

Form: 227-602

(2)

Pillow Talk²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: K R Burke| OR: 91| D

9/2

Below form thirteenth of 26 in handicap at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm, 22/1) 28 days ago, not ideally placed. Others preferred.

Form: 216-270

(7)

Russet Gold²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R Varian| OR: 90| CD

9/2

Made it third time lucky at 2 yrs and stepped up on his comeback run to double his tally at Redcar (5f, good to firm) last month, seen to maximum effect in grabbing the far rail. Only has few miles on the clock so no surprise if he's in the mix again.

Form: 5813-01

(5)

Elegant Erin⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 83| CD

7/2

Four-time winner last season who has shaped well in both starts this term, latest when 1¾ lengths fifth of 18 to Copper Knight in handicap at York (5f, good) 7 days ago, nearest finish. Shortlisted.

Form: 5331-95

(3)

Copper Knight^p,t⁷^{(ex 4)}

Age: 9| Weight: 8-13| J: Sean Kirrane⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 77| D

5/1

Bounced back to form when taking 18-runner handicap at York (5f, good, 11/1) 7 days ago. Remains fairly treated under a 4 lb penalty and must enter calculations.

Form: 690871

(4)

Mattice^p⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 77| D

9/2

Dual winner last season who has acquitted himself well in recent starts, latest when ¾-length third of 18 to stablemate Copper Knight in handicap at York (5f, good) 7 days ago. Likely to make presence felt.

Form: 669443

Non-Runners

(1)

Alligator Alley³³

Weight: 9-11| Age: 6

T: D O'Meara J: Ryan Sexton

Forecasts

Elegant Erin (7/2), Pillow Talk (9/2), Mattice (9/2), Russet Gold (9/2), Rocket Rodney (9/2), Copper Knight (5/1), Alligator Alley (13/2)

ELEGANT ERIN has caught the eye in both starts this term and will appreciate this stiffer course. She can resume winning ways. Copper Knight and Mattice are feared most in what looks a competitive contest.