Racecards
13:00 Pontefract
2021 Season Starts Here Apprentice Handicap (Class 5)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 1m 4f 5y
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- £6,700 added
- Winner: £2,970
- 2nd: £1,394
- 3rd: £697
- 4th: £349
- Form 34452-1
- Age 4
- Weight 10-1
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey Oliver Stammers
led, set strong pace, over 15 lengths clear over 4 out, much reduced lead and back in touch with main group when ridden over 1f out, weakened and headed inside final furlong, lost second final 110 yards
- Form 38/3217-
- Age 5
- Weight 9-12
- Official Rating 74
- Trainer B Ellison
- Jockey Harry Russell
held up, minor headway 2f out, ridden 1f out, no impression in closing stages
- Form 3/46-713
- Age 4
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey Andrew Breslin
midfield, pushed along and headway on inside 2f out, switched right inside final furlong, stayed on strongly close home, just failed
- Form 955/304-
- Age 6
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey Joanna Mason
slowly into stride, in rear, shaken up over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never on terms
- Form 0551-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer E Walker
- Jockey Saffie Osborne
held up, dropped to rear and struggling from 3f out
- Form 237-754
- Age 5
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 71
- Trainer Martin Smith
- Jockey Rhiain Ingram
prominent, pushed along 3f out, lost position 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 657-347
- Age 9
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 71
- Trainer D Thompson
- Jockey Ray Dawson
tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong but lacked pace to challenge
- Form 3-54173
- Age 4
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 57
- Trainer R A Fahey
- Jockey Connor Murtagh
prominent, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, strongly pressed close home, just held on
- Form 594514-
- Age 7
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 70
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey Ella McCain
NonRunner
Ghadbbaan
26- Form 73033-0
- Age 5
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 60
- Trainer B Ellison
- Jockey Kieran Schofield
NonRunner
Verdict
First Charge hadn't shown much in novice company but attracted strong support on his handicap debut on soft ground at Doncaster in October and stayed on strongly to score over that 1m2f. Today's trip shouldn't be a problem nor will it be for The Dancing Poet, who scored over the trip at Catterick last summer and has had wind surgery since finishing last at Leicester in August. DREAM WITH ME has a fitness advantage having scored over the trip at Wolverhampton last week for which he carries a penalty. He ran well on Turf last summer without winning and looks certain to give a good account so gets the nod. G For Gabrial also scored over the trip at Wolverhampton in January but Warne's Army scored at Southwell and was well beaten on Tapeta at Newcastle next time.
Formwatch
Dream With Me (IRE) 3-1fav (9-3) Prominent, led entering final circuit, ridden clear 2f out, tired close home but always doing enough, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Mar beating Life Matters (9-3) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
The Dancing Poet 9-2 (9-3) Held up, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 8 1/2l behind Long Call (9-2) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Warne's Army 7-2 (10-0) Led, joined and ridden 2f out, soon headed, chased (easy) winner, ridden over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 7, 11 1/4l behind Iconic Belle (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp fll (5) pol in Mar.
Qawamees (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Not much room start, held up towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, went 4th over 1f out, no impression, 4th of 8, 7 1/2l behind Socially Shady (8-10) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
First Charge (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway when hung left approaching final furlong, driven to lead inside final furlong, won at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (5) sft in Oct beating Union Spirit (9-6) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Finoah (IRE) 150-1 (9-3) Led early, tracked winner until pushed along over 2f out, kept on same pace, last of 4, 3 3/4l behind Outbox (9-5) at Doncaster 1m 4f stks (2) gd in Mar.
Glan Y Gors (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Towards rear, ridden after 3 out, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 22 1/4l behind Xcitations (11-8) at Fakenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
G For Gabrial (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner entering final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 4 3/4l behind Iconic Belle (9-10) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Chief Craftsman 25-1 (10-12) Held up in 4th, closer on outside into 3rd approaching 3 out, plugged on, no chance with leading duo, lost that placing close home, 4th of 5, 13l behind Hooligan (11-3) at Wetherby 2m (2) sft in Nov.
Ghadbbaan 10-1 (9-0) Led after 1f, stayed far side alone and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 10, dist behind Wise Eagle (9-2) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) pol in Mar.