Racecards
17:10 Pontefract
Matty Bown Memorial Maiden Stakes (Class 5)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 1m 4y
- Going: Firm, Good to Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £6,000 added
Benellino
30- Form 30
- Age 4
- Weight 9-10
- Trainer R M Stronge
- Jockey D Fentiman
towards rear, ridden along halfway, never a factor
- Form 22
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer Sir H R A Cecil
- Jockey Ted Durcan
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right and ran on final furlong
- Form 0-4
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
in touch, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong
- Age 3
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer E J Alston
- Jockey G Bartley
held up, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Zifaaf (USA)
37- Form 25242
- Age 3
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 75
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
Verdict
A race that has more often than not been taken by one of the more high profile trainers with an entry, and this year should prove no exception with Pillar Of Hercules representing Henry Cecil and Zifaaf involved for Barry Hills and the former looks the one to be on. Pillar Of Hercules has put in two decent racecourse efforts in the context of this race and was only just headed close home last time over 7f at Yarmouth. This mile should better suit and a repeat performance would see him break his duck. Zifaaf has had more chances and has twice gone close. This trip may be on the short side for him and his overall form is not as strong as that of the selection so he is opposed. Rolexa was perhaps beaten by the soft ground last time and can be more competitive on this sound surface, while Steel Silk will be suited by this stiff track and can show us more than last time, but would be a bit of a surprise winner and we prefer Pillar Of Hercules, who can score.
Formwatch
Benellino 66-1 (10-0) Steadied start, always in rear, 13th of 14, 30l behind dhtrs Pivotal Answer (8-12) & Ideally (9-3) at Bath 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gs in Jul.
Pillar of Hercules (IRE) 10-11fav (9-3) Tracked winner, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed post, 2nd of 9, shd behind Jacaranda Ridge (8-12) at Yarmouth 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gs in Jul.
Sandarkan (USA) Rahy gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Steel Silk (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Time Over (8-12) at Nottingham 1m mdn aut stk (6) gd.
Johnston's Glory (IRE) Desert Sun filly, half-sister to winning sprinter Seesawmilu.
Zifaaf (USA) 10-3 (8-8) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, soon held, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Purple Emperor (8-13) at Goodwood 1m 1f mdn stk (5) gs in Jul.
Julatten (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Chased leaders stand's side, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 15, 14l behind Orotund (7-13) at Ripon 6f mdn hcp (5) hvy in Jul.
Rolexa 4-1 (9-3) Tracking leaders when hampered and dropped to mid-division 6f out, renewed effort on wide outside over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 14, 10l behind Duchess Royale (9-3) at Windsor 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gs in Jul.