16:30 Pontefract

Thursday 28 September 2023

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nursery

Off time: 16:31 | Winning time: 1m 17.90s

(6)

Swordplay²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-9| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 77| D

8/1

Winner at Hamilton in June. Got back on the up when second of 6 in nursery there (6f, good to firm, 17/2) just over 3 weeks ago. Can give another good account.

Form: 213052

(1)

Beyond Borders²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-9| J: Shane Gray| T: K R Burke| OR: 77| D

2/1

Showed improved form to resume winning ways in 11-runner nursery (7/1) at Wolverhampton (6.1f) 3 weeks ago, staying on to lead final 1f. Expected to be bang there from a 6 lb higher mark.

Form: 51251

(3)

Free Nation^h⁶⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Watson| T: C Hills| OR: 76

11/1

Hooded for 1st time, possibly unsuited by conditions when ninth of 12 in minor event at Newbury (6f, good, 7/2) 10 weeks ago. Makes handicap debut and needs to get back on track having been gelded.

Form: 269

(2)

Another Gift⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 75| D

9/4

3 wins from 8 runs this year, latest at Windsor in September. Had her winning run ended up in grade when second of 10 in nursery (7/1) at Yarmouth (6f, soft) 7 days ago, clear of rest. Sure to remain competitive in this similar company.

Form: 641112

(4)

Invincible Aura²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-6| J: B A Curtis| T: M Botti| OR: 74| BF

7/2

5/4, fourth of 9 in minor event at Southwell (7.1f) 22 days ago, possibly doing too much early from worst of draw. Makes handicap debut.

Form: 524

(5)

Woodleigh¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Zak Wheatley⁽⁵⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 71

12/1

11/1, again failed to see his race out when sixth of 10 in nursery at Carlisle (5.8f, soft) 15 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 635246

(9)

Hello Cotai³⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Ross Coakley| T: E Walker| OR: 69

25/1

Never involved when seventh of 10 in minor event at Bath (5f, good to firm, 12/1) 36 days ago. Makes handicap debut and could well make more of an impact.

Form: 707

(8)

Soveraine⁴⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 8-13| J: Jason Hart| T: C Johnston| OR: 67

66/1

Runner-up over C&D on debut in June but beaten in excess of 77 lengths combined since, well held on nursery debut at Leicester (6f, good to firm) on latest. Would take a significant leap of faith to get involved.

Form: 2548

Non-Runners

(7)

Whoop Whoop¹⁴

Weight: 9-4| Age: 2

T: R M Beckett J: H Crouch

Forecasts

Beyond Borders (2/1), Another Gift (9/4), Invincible Aura (7/2), Whoop Whoop (6/1), Swordplay (8/1), Free Nation (11/1), Woodleigh (12/1), Hello Cotai (25/1), Soveraine (66/1)

It's tough to get away from BEYOND BORDERS, who showed improved form to resume winning ways at Wolverhampton 3 weeks ago and Karl Burke's colt can continue his upward trajectory returned to turf. Another Gift had her winning run ended at Yarmouth last week but remains in top form so heads up the dangers, with Whoop Whoop and Swordplay completing the shortlist.