20:00 Pontefract

Monday 8 June 2026

All18:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:00

Tony Bethell Memorial Handicap

Off time: 20:01 | Winning time: 3m 45.49s

(1)

Merrijig^b⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Gina Mangan| T: John Berry| OR: 65| BF| D

11/1

Capitalised on a falling mark in this grade at Newcastle in November. After 5 months off (without the blinkers), probably needed the run when sixth of 9 at Kempton in April. Could be in the mix with headgear back on.

Form: 34471-6

(2)

Laravie^v²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: L Morris| T: James Owen| OR: 65

7/4

Won 4 times over hurdles at up to 23f last summer. Made second handicap start in this sphere a winning one at Salisbury in May, before following up at Catterick by 2¾ lengths from Zimmerman. Much respected.

Form: 749511

(4)

Zimmerman^b,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 63

5/1

With cheekpieces back on, stepped up on reappearance run when second to Laravie at Catterick in May. Suffered interference when third of 5 at Musselburgh 18 days ago and he's eased further in the weights. Can make a bold bid with blinkers refitted.

Form: 538-623

(5)

Simiyann^p²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 63| D

22/1

Successful twice on the Flat last year, with latest success in 4-runner contest at Ffos Las (2m) in August. After 4 months off, was always behind after reverting to starting slowly when well held at Newbury (1½m) 24 days ago.

Form: 7334-60

(10)

Charlie Darling²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: T Eaves| T: A D Brown| OR: 62

20/1

Gained a first success for current yard at Southwell (16.5f) in April, before scoring again over the same C&D 9 days later. Possibly found soft ground against him when sixth of 9 at Carlisle (1¾m) on latest outing 3 weeks ago.

Form: 573116

(3)

Rupert The Prince^v²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: K Stott| T: R Menzies| OR: 61| D

3/1

Progressed to win 3 handicaps last season for Paddy Butler, including over 17f at Bath in October. Has made the frame both starts on the Flat for current yard this season, respectable fourth of 6 at Ripon 22 days ago.

Form: 3121-34

(11)

Lady Phoebe²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Nicol| OR: 54| C

15/2

Produced a career best upped to 21.6f when winning here in April. Did enough to confirm that effort when fourth of 7 in a steadily-run race at Newcastle (2m) 20 days ago. Return to this track/longer trip should suit.

Form: 1320-14

(8)

Someone's Wish^p¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: J P Sullivan| T: P Morris| OR: 52| D

80/1

Winner over hurdles for Gordon Elliott in October. However, he struggled for form over jumps to start the current year and ran poorly back on the Flat at Wolverhampton (1½m) making stable debut 10 days ago.

Form: 20336-9

(6)

Angelardo²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Billy Garritty| T: L Bailey| OR: 50

40/1

Off the mark over 2m at Newcastle in March. Below form over shorter subsequently, but back up in distance he returned to form when runner-up at the same course 20 days ago. Task is now to build on latest effort.

Form: 218482

(7)

Cold Henry^p³²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-5| J: Joanna Mason| T: Sara Ender| OR: 47

16/1

Successful over hurdles in March but his losing sequence on the Flat is mounting up, going backwards from recent run when down the field at Southwell last month. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 93/54-48

(9)

Golden Samba²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: Olivia Tubb⁽⁵⁾| T: E De Giles| OR: 45

11/1

Still looking for a breakthrough success, but upped to 2m she produced her best effort when third of 10 in handicap at Lingfield (good to firm) 3 weeks ago, albeit having run of the race. More needed from 1 lb out of weights.

Form: 063-843

(12)

Arcimboldo^p¹¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: Aiden Brookes| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 45

100/1

Remains a maiden and has finished no better than mid-division in 3 starts this year, faring no better in first-time cheekpieces when fourth of 5 in handicap at Newcastle in February.

Form: 323-544

Forecasts

Laravie (7/4), Rupert The Prince (3/1), Zimmerman (5/1), Lady Phoebe (15/2), Merrijig (11/1), Golden Samba (11/1), Cold Henry (16/1), Charlie Darling (20/1), Simiyann (22/1), Angelardo (40/1), Someone's Wish (80/1), Arcimboldo (100/1)

ZIMMERMAN has returned to form on his last 2 starts and, in a change of headgear, he could be ready to take advantage of his career-low mark. Laravie isn't taken lightly, though, in her hat-trick bid, while Merrijig could go well with his reappearance run behind him.