PONTEFRACT
3:10 RIU PALACE MELONERAS HANDICAP (CLASS 2) (4yo+,0-100) 6f
KNOT IN WOOD 9-4 ~ Richard Faheys smart sprinter showed improved form last season. He blew away the field in the Scottish Stewards Cup at Hamilton and then going for the double at Goodwood finished a very amicable 3rd. He was then stepped up into Pattern class and ran consistently well without winning but he was far from disgraced. His ideal conditions are 6f on rain softened ground so todays conditions should be ideal. The 6yo has had two runs this season, he probably needed the run at Doncaster and at Dundalk the conditions of the race wouldn’t have been ideal so he did well in the circumstances. He can be expected to build on his last run and as he is only 2lb higher in the handicap than when he finished 3rd in the Stewards Cup he should be able to run a big race in this weaker event.
GENKI 9-3 ~ Half brother to Knot In Wood and Roger Charltons young sprinter improved some 22lbs during his 3yo campaign. His best form came on a faster surface and he was beaten over course and distance on softer ground by Bel Cantor. The 4yo also has to overcome an absence of 7 months and despite winning a maiden first time up last season this is far tougher. He has to be respected though given his progressive profile but he is sure to be a better horse for the run.
RISING SHADOW 9-2 ~ As good as ever for David Barron last season but he couldn’t produce his early season form, which was very impressive, throughout the whole season. His 4th in the Group 2 Duke of York had been preceded by his win in the Cammidge Trophy (ran at Newcastle last season). That gave him a handicap mark of 110 which would have made life tough in handicaps so he raced predominantly in Pattern company. He switched yards at the end of last season and for his new trainer he could only finish 10th in the Cammidge, although it was a far better renewal. He’s been dropping down the handicap so if he can build on his seasonal debut he could well run a big race in conditions that suit.
FAYR JAG 9-2 ~ Last year Tim Easterbys 9yo didn’t look to be the same animal that had won multiple Group 3s the previous season. He’s getting a bit long in the tooth now and he looks regressive despite still running consistently well. He is dropping down the handicap and is sure to have his supporters but he is likely to be vulnerable to one of his younger rivals.
DAMIKA 8-13 ~ Despite showing all his best form previously on fast ground he produced a career best effort when winning on soft ground at HQ. He may have benefited from racing on the better strip of ground but he stayed on really well over the 7f and deserves plenty of credit. He’s equally effective 6f and the stiff track should only play to the gelding strengths. Richard Whitakers 5yo made an encouraging seasonal reappearance at Doncaster and if building on that effort he has a great chance given he looks on the upgrade.
ZOMERLUST 8-11 ~ The combination of a first time visor and favourable conditions at York resulted in the horse recording his sole victory last year. The visor didn’t work again though and it’s been abandoned now in favour of cheekpieces. He was found out in competitive handicaps last season and given his first run of the season at Doncaster he has something to prove at present.
STEENBERG 8-9 ~ Winner of the Group 2 Duke of York two years ago but because of that the handicapper raised the gelding to a mark of 112. He was forced into run in Pattern class where he never looked up to task. Last season he was a disappointment and despite his handicap mark falling like a stone he has shown little to suggest he is capable of taking advantage of his new mark. Mark Tompkins 9yo isn’t getting any younger and he has a regressive profile. Only hope is that his trainer has rejuvenated him over the winter and he has performed well enough first time out before so there is light at the end of the tunnel.
TURNKEY 8-8 ~ Much better performer with cut in the ground and on a couple of occasions last season he produced some creditable efforts. He beat Damika over course and distance (6lbs better off) and finished runner up behind Zomerlust in the Sky Bet Dash at York. Adele Rothery has a good partnership with the 6yo gelding and he made an encouraging seasonal debut at Doncaster last time out.
INGLEBY ARCH 8-7 ~ David Barrons gelding had a disappointing turf season last year and only a change of surface bought around a change of fortunes. The Fibresand really seemed to suit him and he recorded a pair of wins at Southwell. Back on turf at Doncaster he raced in a group of two with eventual wide margin race winner Pusey Street Lady but he was comfortably beaten. He needs to improve considerably if he is going to win today and it’s not hard to look elsewhere.
ICE PLANET 8-7 ~ A consistent enough performer for Sprint King Dandy Nicholls but at the same time he looks exposed. The handicapper has given him hope as he has dropped him to a mark only 1lb higher than he had when last winning at Redcar last season (Turnkey 2nd). He should be fitter for his run at Doncaster and although that leaves him with ground to make up on his rivals he has to be respected given he is a consistent performer who is sure to run his race. However he is likely to vulnerable to any potential improvers.
SKHILLING SPIRIT 8-7 ~ Seemed to develop an aversion to leaving the stalls half way through last season. His supporters would be best advised to wait until seeing him start before backing in-running. However it is more than likely that he’ll miss the break and given he drops down in trip today it gives him even less time to recover. This stiff track should suit but even with ground conditions in his favour David Barrons 5yo doesn’t appeal.
STEVIE GEE 8-4 ~ A return to the form he showed as a juvenile meant that he was always going to be well handicapped on his handicap mark of 80. He was apparently still carrying his winter coats so there is a decent chance he’ll only improve once he’s in better condition. The drop in trip is a slight concern but the stiff track should suit and he still looks reasonably handicapped given he is only 1lb higher than his highest career winning mark.
HIGH CURRAGH 8-4 ~ All his best form had been on good or faster ground till last time out at Doncaster when finishing 2nd behind Pusey Street Lady in soft ground. Given that Kevin Ryans 5yo won the race with the group he was running in it was probably a better effort than it first appears. He could finally be delivering on the promise he showed as 3yo in the William Hill Trophy. He could be on the upgrade and he is sure to improve for the run at Doncaster given it was his first for 6 months.
DISTICTLY GAME 8-4 ~ His record on the all weather is far superior to that on turf. He has won once in 23 starts on the turf compared with 3 wins in only 13 starts on the all weather. The 6yo hasn’t been placed in a race on turf since his juvenile days and there is little to get excited about back on turf in this company. He has plenty to prove and a watching brief is probably the best course of action.
BEL CANTOR 8-4 ~ Has appreciated the switch back to the turf and despite being 6lbs out of the handicap he is sure to run his race. An exposed performer he has conditions to suit and has bits of form with a couple of todays rival. He beat Genki comfortably here last season and he is only 2lbs worse off with that rival. Bel Cantor is 2-2 here at Pontefract on soft ground and has proven to be a much more effective horse around a bend. Mr Wolf has shown how course specialists can do at the track if leading from the front and he might be able to do the same. He has produced a couple of encouraging runs this season and has looks to have a decent each way chance.
CONCLUSION
Shortlist includes Knot In Wood, Genki, Rising Shadow, Damika, Turnkey, Ice Planet, Stevie Gee, High Curragh and Bel Cantor.
The tissue favourite Genki has to be taken on considering this is his first run of the season and the ground isn’t ideal. Roger Charlton has only had one winner this year and his runners have looked in need of the run.
David Nicholls’ Ice Planet is sure to run his race but he looks exposed and vulnerable to an improver. His seasonal debut at Doncaster also leaves him with ground to find with many of todays rivals but the yards runners do improve for the run.
Considering he won the Cammidge on his first run of the season last year Rising Shadow put in a disappointing effort in this years renewal. He doesn’t look the same horse he was at the beginning of last season and he has been well held in a number of handicaps so he has something to prove.
Damika, Turnkey and Bel Cantor all finished in the bunch finish at Doncaster and there is little to choose between them. Damika got going once the race was over but he looks to be progressive and the stiff track should suit. He should come on for the run and looks to have slightly the better chance. Bel Cantor showed here last year that when he has his conditions he can produce some fine performance. When beating Genki here last year he put in an impressive performance and he was value for more than the winning margin. Being out of the handicap isn’t a help but events this week have shown that it isn’t inconceivable that he can run a big race despite this. He comes into the race in fine form and he shouldn’t be the price he is. Turnkey is the one of the three who appeals least given his inconsistent profile last year but his sole win did come over course and distance.
On a form line through Pusey Street Lady Kevin Ryan trained High Curragh has plenty to find with the trio mentioned above. However when he finished 2nd he was clear of the pack headed by King Orchisios and the eventual winner Pusey Street Lady probably had the advantage of running on the better ground. Now he has proven he can handle the conditions he has to enter calculations and looks a big price on the tissue.
Stevie Gee bounced back to his best last time out and with the front two pulling clear of the field the form looks strong. This is a tougher race though and the drop down in trip isn’t sure to suit. On the flip side he is sure to progress from that run and he looks the main danger to Knot In Wood.
Richard Fahey trained Knot In Wood has the best recent form in the book and after an encouraging run last time out he looks ripe for a big run. He is more than capable of winning on his current handicap mark in this company and he destroyed a similar field in the Scottish Stewards Cup last season. With conditions to suit it’s hard to see him not having a hand in the finish.
2pt WIN – KNOT IN WOOD @ 15/2
1pt EACH WAY – BEL CANTOR @ 25/1
RESULT
KNOT IN WOOD 10th = -2pts
BEL CANTOR n/r = N/A
3:10 RIU PALACE MELONERAS HANDICAP (CLASS 2) (4yo+,0-
KNOT IN WOOD 9-
GENKI 9-
RISING SHADOW 9-
FAYR JAG 9-
DAMIKA 8-
ZOMERLUST 8-
STEENBERG 8-
TURNKEY 8-
INGLEBY ARCH 8-
ICE PLANET 8-
SKHILLING SPIRIT 8-
STEVIE GEE 8-
HIGH CURRAGH 8-
DISTICTLY GAME 8-
BEL CANTOR 8-
CONCLUSION
Shortlist includes Knot In Wood, Genki, Rising Shadow, Damika, Turnkey, Ice Planet, Stevie Gee, High Curragh and Bel Cantor.
The tissue favourite Genki has to be taken on considering this is his first run of the season and the ground isn’t ideal. Roger Charlton has only had one winner this year and his runners have looked in need of the run.
David Nicholls’ Ice Planet is sure to run his race but he looks exposed and vulnerable to an improver. His seasonal debut at Doncaster also leaves him with ground to find with many of todays rivals but the yards runners do improve for the run.
Considering he won the Cammidge on his first run of the season last year Rising Shadow put in a disappointing effort in this years renewal. He doesn’t look the same horse he was at the beginning of last season and he has been well held in a number of handicaps so he has something to prove.
Damika, Turnkey and Bel Cantor all finished in the bunch finish at Doncaster and there is little to choose between them. Damika got going once the race was over but he looks to be progressive and the stiff track should suit. He should come on for the run and looks to have slightly the better chance. Bel Cantor showed here last year that when he has his conditions he can produce some fine performance. When beating Genki here last year he put in an impressive performance and he was value for more than the winning margin. Being out of the handicap isn’t a help but events this week have shown that it isn’t inconceivable that he can run a big race despite this. He comes into the race in fine form and he shouldn’t be the price he is. Turnkey is the one of the three who appeals least given his inconsistent profile last year but his sole win did come over course and distance.
On a form line through Pusey Street Lady Kevin Ryan trained High Curragh has plenty to find with the trio mentioned above. However when he finished 2nd he was clear of the pack headed by King Orchisios and the eventual winner Pusey Street Lady probably had the advantage of running on the better ground. Now he has proven he can handle the conditions he has to enter calculations and looks a big price on the tissue.
Stevie Gee bounced back to his best last time out and with the front two pulling clear of the field the form looks strong. This is a tougher race though and the drop down in trip isn’t sure to suit. On the flip side he is sure to progress from that run and he looks the main danger to Knot In Wood.
Richard Fahey trained Knot In Wood has the best recent form in the book and after an encouraging run last time out he looks ripe for a big run. He is more than capable of winning on his current handicap mark in this company and he destroyed a similar field in the Scottish Stewards Cup last season. With conditions to suit it’s hard to see him not having a hand in the finish.
2pt WIN – KNOT IN WOOD @ 15/2
1pt EACH WAY – BEL CANTOR @ 25/1
RESULT
KNOT IN WOOD 10th = -
BEL CANTOR n/r = N/A
