16:25 Pontefract

Sunday 27 July 2025

All13:5514:2514:5515:2515:5516:2516:55

Always Trying Racing Syndicate Handicap

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 1m 2.56s

(6)

Elegant Erin³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: Jason Hart| T: P T Midgley| OR: 81| CD

3/1

3 successive runner-up efforts on turf (the most recent strong form) and still at the top of her game when respectable seventh of 14 in handicap at Newcastle (5f AW) 30 days ago, having been forced to challenge on the far wing. Previous C&D winner remains one to be interested in back on turf.

Form: 552227

(4)

Brummell³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Ryan Sexton| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 81| D

7/1

Made a positive start to the season, winning over 5f at Beverley in April but ran badly latest when last of 8 in handicap (5/1) at Hamilton (5f, good to firm) 31 days ago. Has a bit to find on the back of that effort.

Form: 215-148

(5)

Ventura Express²³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: D Nolan| T: P T Midgley| OR: 80| CD

11/4

4-time C&D winner remains 3 lb below her last winning mark and has been plying his trade at higher level this season. Looked unlucky not to finish even closer when second of 8 in handicap at Beverley (5f, good to firm) 23 days ago, running on having been denied a clear run. Makes plenty of appeal.

Form: 254002

(7)

Fuji Mountain²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Zak Wheatley⁽³⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 80| D

20/1

Dual 5f winner at Chester (on soft ground) at 2 yrs but yet to threaten in handicaps this season, forgiven latest run when shaping as though amiss, seventeenth of 18 in handicap at York (6f, good, 33/1) 29 days ago. Would prefer softer ground on return to the minimum trip.

Form: 13-6770

(2)

The Actor^v1¹³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Kiely-Marshall⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 79| D

17/2

Fairly useful form at 2 yrs for Richard Hannon but not threatened in 2 starts for new yard, having wind op prior to finishing 6¼ lengths last in handicap at Southwell (6.1f, 28/1) in March. Visor on first time in place of cheekpieces but has something to prove at present.

Form: 3053-50

(1)

Spirit Of Applause^p¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 72| D

9/4

Well backed having dropped to his last winning mark when 2½ lengths third of 5 in a handicap at Nottingham (5f, good) prior to being bumped at the start and left poorly placed when down the field at York earlier this month. Dropped another 1 lb but needs to do more if he's to capitalise.

Form: 390330

Non-Runners

(3)

Bosh²⁷

Weight: 10-1| Age: 6

T: M Dods J: Connor Beasley

Forecasts

Spirit Of Applause (9/4), Ventura Express (11/4), Elegant Erin (3/1), Bosh (7/2), Brummell (7/1), The Actor (17/2), Fuji Mountain (20/1)

The lack of an obvious front-runner somewhat muddies the waters but 4-time C&D winner VENTURA EXPRESS has been plying his trade in better company this season and was unlucky not to finish much closer when runner-up at Beverley last time. He's preferred to fellow C&D winner Elegant Erin who has some strong form for the grade this season and arrives in form, while Bosh eases further in class and could be dangerous having his first start over this trip since his debut.