Pontefract Park Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 1m 13.52s

(5)

The Strikin Viking^h¹⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Faleh Bugheniam| T: H Al Jehani| OR: 104| D

12/1

Useful gelding who landed Group 3 at Baden-Baden (6f) last August. Off since coming in last of 8 in 6f conditions event at Doha in April though so needs to hit the ground running. Hood back on.

Form: 0314-05

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(6)

Garfield Shadow⁵⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: James Doyle| T: H Al Jehani| OR: 101| D

5/1

Enjoyed an excellent season in 2024 when a two-time 6f scorer for Richard Fahey before signing off with a victory in Group 3 at Al Uqda (7f) for his new yard. Resumes from 19 months off here though (also gelded) so the betting can prove an accurate guide.

Form: 013321/

(4)

El Bodon^p1⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: George Wood| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 99| D

12/1

Landed back-to-back 6f handicaps at Kempton over the winter. No more than a respectable return to turf when fifth at Newmarket (6f) in May and failed to beat a rival at Windsor (6f) since. Cheekpieces are reached for now.

Form: 1-14050

(1)

Dark Cloud Rising^v¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94| CD

2/1

A 3-time winner (including over C&D) last year. Slipped in the weights and right back on song with cosy victory in 7-runner handicap at Ripon (6f) 19 days ago. Back up 6 lb but still weighted to follow up.

Form: 5-090U1

(3)

Badri¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Hart| T: M Herrington| OR: 92| CD

5/2

Veteran sprinter who gained a second success in his last 3 starts in 6-runner handicap over C&D 16 days ago. Up 3lb but not taken lightly in his current mood.

Form: 406171

(2)

Beaujolais Nouveau^p²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: A Mullen| T: B Haslam| OR: 87| D

9/2

Ended 2025 out of sorts but rejuvenated by cheekpieces when landing 6f handicap at Ripon in May. Matched that form (headgear retained) from 7 lb higher mark when fifth of 12 at York 25 days ago so she must enter calculations.

Form: 00-0515

Forecasts

Dark Cloud Rising (2/1), Badri (5/2), Beaujolais Nouveau (9/2), Garfield Shadow (5/1), El Bodon (12/1), The Strikin Viking (12/1)

DARK CLOUD RISING took full advantage of a reduced mark when going in with a bit up his sleeve at Ripon recently and this C&D scorer can follow up off a 6 lb higher mark. Ben Haslam's filly Beaujolais Nouveau has thrived since the cheekpieces went on and rates a big threat though, while veteran Badri can't be dismissed easily either as he bids for a third victory in his last four outings.