18:15 Pontefract

Friday 24 May 2024

All18:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Mr Leigh Sutton Nifty 50th Birthday Handicap

Off time: 18:15 | Winning time: 1m 46.20s

(4)

Running Star¹⁹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Hart| T: H Palmer| OR: 75

9/4

Placed all 3 starts in AW novices at up to 9.5f last autumn. Returns as an unexposed sort now handicapping for a stable which has made a good start to the season. Interesting runner.

Form: 322-

(12)

Harswell Duke²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Harry Russell| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 75| BF| D

13/2

Thirteen runs since last win in 2023. 6/4, creditable second of 11 in handicap at Wetherby (1m, soft) 26 days ago, clear of rest. Can make presence felt again.

Form: 0-60322

(3)

Million Thanks^t¹⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: O J Orr| T: R Menzies| OR: 71| D

13/2

Seventeen runs since last win in 2022. Bit below form seventh of 12 in handicap (9/1) at Newcastle (1m) when last seen in December. Best watched unless the betting vibes are strong back from a break.

Form: 700897-

(6)

Hostelry^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 68| BF| D

6/1

Successful under Hollie Doyle last summer and back to winning ways at Thirsk (1m, heavy) in April. Creditable third at Ripon next time and things didn't go his way at Beverley latest (likely still in form).

Form: 197-137

(11)

Do I Dream¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Sam Feilden⁽⁷⁾| T: B Haslam| OR: 65| CD

7/1

Three-time C&D winner, the latest in April. Respectable third of 13 in handicap at Beverley (7.4f, good, 3/1) 18 days ago. Merits consideration back here.

Form: 7-42113

(8)

My Honey B³²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Billy Garritty| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 64| D

22/1

18¼ lengths sixth of 9 to Do I Dream in C&D handicap on reappearance 42 days ago. Could be sharper now.

Form: 11490-6

(7)

King Sharja²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: T Eaves| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 63

28/1

40/1, eighth of 14 in handicap at Thirsk (1m, soft) 20 days ago. Falling in the weights but need to see more.

Form: 73-9058

(2)

Global Spirit⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 8-9| J: William Pyle⁽⁵⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 61| CD

4/1

Three-time C&D winner. 9/1, well-beaten eleventh of 12 to Hostelry in handicap at Thirsk (1m, heavy) 45 days ago. Needs a couple of these to falter.

Form: 6-48580

(1)

Penny Ghent⁵⁸⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Cam Hardie| T: S Whitaker| OR: 59

80/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Not seen since finishing down the field in a C&D nursery in October 2022. Can only be watched.

Form: 0450/

(5)

Mhajim^h¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: Joey Haynes| T: C Banham| OR: 56

40/1

40/1, ninth of 11 in handicap at Nottingham (8.3f, good) on reappearance 14 days ago/ His best form has come over longer trips.

Form: 00090-9

(10)

Distinction^v¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: Andrew Breslin⁽³⁾| T: J Mackie| OR: 55

33/1

Latest win at Wolverhampton in January. 17/2, good second of 11 in handicap at Beverley (8.5f, good) 18 days ago.

Form: 197742

Non-Runners

(9)

Shimmering Sands²⁵⁷

Weight: 9-9| Age: 5

T: M & D Easterby J: Shane Gray

Forecasts

Running Star (9/4), Global Spirit (4/1), Hostelry (6/1), Million Thanks (13/2), Harswell Duke (13/2), Do I Dream (7/1), Shimmering Sands (12/1), My Honey B (22/1), King Sharja (28/1), Distinction (33/1), Mhajim (40/1), Penny Ghent (80/1)

A chance is taken on unexposed Hugo Palmer handicap newcomer RUNNING STAR, whose mark looks very workable judged on the pick of his form in AW novices last autumn. Harswell Duke arrives in good form and is second choice ahead of C&D specialist Do I Dream. Shimmering Sea was placed in this race on his 2023 reappearance and is another to consider in a competitive opener.