15:15 Pontefract

Wednesday 1 May 2024

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:3017:35

National Horseracing College Handicap

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 2m 18.58s

(1)

Simpson's Paradox^b¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Rowan Scott| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 74

16/1

Killarney maiden winner in the mud final start for Jessica Harrington in September. Sold 15,000 gns and well held making handicap debut on return for new yard at Windsor 16 days ago. Blinkers (worn for the win) back on.

Form: 22751-0

(7)

Chantico^t²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: A Keatley| OR: 74| D

4/1

Fine effort with equipment reapplied (including first-time tongue strap) back over this trip at Bath last month, beaten only late on. Up 3 lb and can give another good account (ran well in decent maiden here on debut).

Form: 798442

(2)

Bearwith²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: H Bethell| OR: 70| D

9/2

Tremendously consistent at this trip, running well in useful Newcastle handicap on return and building on that when scoring at Southwell (11f) 3 weeks ago despite reverting back to his slow-starting ways. Obvious claims off lower turf mark if not getting too far back.

Form: 1491-21

(8)

Bushfire¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Connor Beasley| T: G Tutty| OR: 68| D

17/2

Scored twice last summer and returned with a creditable effort over C&D under this rider. Not so good at Ripon since but shouldn't stay down for long.

Form: 1850-37

(6)

Flying Scotsman^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: P Mulrennan| T: B Haslam| OR: 64

25/1

Winning Flat handicapper/hurdler in Ireland. Big prices and yet to trouble the judge for this yard (including over C&D latest) but now lurks on a very low mark with cheekpieces refitted. Market move would be interesting.

Form: 7600-75

(4)

Giselles Defence¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: C Lee| T: Ian Williams| OR: 64

10/3

Placed in AW handicaps at Dundalk at the end of 2023 and went close from this lower turf mark on first outing since leaving Gavin Cromwell after 4 months off at Nottingham recently. Respected.

Form: 40334-2

(5)

Jewel Maker¹⁶⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: Sean Kirrane| T: T D Easterby| OR: 64| D

33/1

Dual winner over this trip last season off 2 lb lower mark. Suspect he'll come on for this.

Form: 707416-

(3)

Loddon^t⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Joanna Mason| T: Sara Ender| OR: 63

9/2

Maiden who ran creditably in first-time tongue strap after 3 months off at Beverley (10f) under this rider last week. Bit more needed to open her account.

Form: 6284-53

(9)

Fiftyshadesaresdev⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Billy Garritty| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 63

15/2

Fair maiden handicapper on the Flat who went close over 1m here back from 9 months off last week. On a career-low mark and a return to the pick of his 3-y-o form would be enough to see him take a race like this if staying.

Form: 5507/7-3

Forecasts

Giselles Defence (10/3), Chantico (4/1), Bearwith (9/2), Loddon (9/2), Fiftyshadesaresdev (15/2), Bushfire (17/2), Simpson's Paradox (16/1), Flying Scotsman (25/1), Jewel Maker (33/1)

BEARWITH might not get away with a very slow start around here but he's undoubtedly on a good turf mark judged on his AW form (successful again at Southwell 3 weeks ago) and has to be the call. Chantico and Giselles Defence are a couple of the other likely players.