16:27 Pontefract

Tuesday 7 April 2026

All13:5714:2714:5715:2715:5716:2717:0017:35

Tommy Hepple Memorial Handicap

Off time: 16:29 | Winning time: 2m 43.80s

(11)

Treasure Islands³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 70

9/1

Son of Kingman who has improved with each run, seeing the longer trip out well after 4 months off when fourth of 11 in novice at Southwell (11.1f) 5 weeks ago. Type to do better again now handicapping and interesting if the market spoke in his favour.

Form: 65-4

(3)

Ashdown Forest^p1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Billy Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 69

17/2

Fair maiden in this sphere for Ed Walker who has failed to scale same heights in 4 runs over hurdles upon joining present yard. However, feasible to think he can get back on track returned to the level with cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 2/6333-

(7)

Swinging London^p,t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Connor Beasley| T: J Mackie| OR: 68| D

11/2

Back to winning ways at Newcastle in October and has remained in form over hurdles/on Flat since, not beaten far when fourth over further at Southwell 4 weeks ago. Still in search of first success on turf on the level but respected nevertheless with race fitness on his side.

Form: 74314-4

(13)

Johnny Boom⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Rossa Ryan| T: S Lycett| OR: 67| C| D

10/1

Won at long odds following a 13-month absence at Leicester in October. Took a heavy fall over hurdles at Southwell a month later and no better than midfield in pair of all-weather starts in February but certainly no forlorn hope reunited with Rossa Ryan.

Form: 659/1-76

(4)

Lightening Company³³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: A Mullen| T: B Haslam| OR: 67| C

3/1

Winner over hurdles last summer and ran well on second start back on the Flat when runner-up over shorter here in October. However, well held all 3 starts on all-weather since.

Form: 6020-00

(2)

Princess Niyla^p²¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Harry Davies| T: A D Brown| OR: 65

12/1

Justified support when adding to her tally at Beverley (1¼m) last spring. Largely gave her running thereafter, albeit undone by early keenness when fourth at Southwell (11f) on final start in September. Usual cheekpieces go on for return and she's operating from last winning mark.

Form: 055425-

(5)

Starshine Legend⁵⁸⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Hart| T: O Murphy| OR: 65| D

4/1

Lightly raced 5-y-o who was steadily progressive in staying handicaps for James Ferguson in 2024, off the mark at Catterick (1½m) prior to finishing placed all 3 starts thereafter. Missed whole of last year but given a chance by assessor on return/stable debut and he's of interest.

Form: 071322/

(6)

Very Muddy Waters^b¹⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Zak Wheatley⁽³⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 63

28/1

Back on track in first-time blinkers when third at Carlisle (9f) in September. Disappointed next 2 starts but did at least get back on track (minus the headgear) when sixth in handicap at Newcastle (10.2f) in November. Not discounted on return with blinkers back on.

Form: 793906-

(9)

Suitcase Smith¹⁷⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Gina Mangan| T: John Berry| OR: 62

16/1

Fair form at best in novice events and (easy to back) he failed to improve for switch to handicaps when down the field at Yarmouth (11.5f) in October. Remains early days but progress required if he's to feature.

Form: 6846-

(8)

Fleur De Mer^p1⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Mark Winn| T: M Todhunter| OR: 60

17/2

On long losing sequence but has been in good form on all-weather in recent months, runner up over a longer trip at Southwell in February. Possibilities back on turf from unchanged mark with cheekpieces now reached for.

Form: 5393-32

(1)

Secret Alliance¹⁷⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Cam Hardie| T: K Frost| OR: 55

33/1

Showcasing gelding who finished down the field all 3 starts in all-weather maiden/novice events at up to 1½m last summer. Switch to handicaps can see him in a better light on return and forecast ground looks a likely plus (has very high knee action). Betting can guide.

Form: 697-

(10)

Cloudy Rose¹⁸⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: John Berry| OR: 54| D

22/1

Back-to-back winner of staying handicaps last summer who wasn't discredited from inflated mark on final 3 starts of last season. Has often needed first start of the campaign though.

Form: 511455-

Non-Runners

(12)

Turn And Finish¹⁸

Weight: 9-4| Age: 5

T: Steph Hollinshead J: D Tudhope

Forecasts

Lightening Company (3/1), Starshine Legend (4/1), Swinging London (11/2), Fleur De Mer (17/2), Ashdown Forest (17/2), Treasure Islands (9/1), Johnny Boom (10/1), Princess Niyla (12/1), Suitcase Smith (16/1), Cloudy Rose (22/1), Very Muddy Waters (28/1), Secret Alliance (33/1), Turn And Finish (33/1)

Plenty to consider but STARSHINE LEGEND has been given a chance by the assessor on the back of a lengthy absence and could be worth chancing starting out for a powerful jumps yard going through a good spell. Heading up the dangers is Ashdown Forest, who could get back on track returned to this sphere. In-form mare Fleur de Mer and Swinging London complete the shortlist.