Racecards
17:00 Pontefract
Pontefract Apprentice Handicap (Class 5)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f 6y
- Going: Good to Firm (Firm in places, Final 6f Good to Firm)
- Surface: Turf
- £5,000 added
- Form 005463
- Age 5
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 70
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey J P Sullivan
in touch, ridden to chase winner 2f out, soon one pace, lost 2nd post
- Form 317108
- Age 6
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 68
- Trainer M Brittain
- Jockey Mr J Cavanagh
very slowly away, in rear, wide and headway 4f out, weakened 2f out
- Form 641111
- Age 3
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 67
- Trainer Sir Mark Prescott
- Jockey Rosie Jessop
led after 2f, made rest, clear over 1f out, reminders when idled final furlong, comfortably
- Form 48-1267
- Age 6
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 65
- Trainer T D Walford
- Jockey I J Brennan
dwelt, chased winner after 2f out until 2f out, ridden and weakened
- Form 660242
- Age 7
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 65
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey Kylie Manser
held up, switched wide over 6f out, soon in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
- Form 1-66279
- Age 3
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer M H Tompkins
- Jockey Simon Pearce
led 2f, remained in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out
Avitus
87- Form 00-3279
- Age 3
- Weight 8-6
- Official Rating 57
- Trainer Micky Hammond
- Jockey A Carter
keen, tracked leaders, lost place over 6f out, headway 2f out, ridden, kept on to take 2nd post, no chance with winner
Verdict
Sir Mark Prescott seems to have found another good opportunity for VALID POINT to score and in doing so complete a five-timer with Jeer and Princess Flame only offering minor challenges. A master manipulator of the programme book Sir Mark Prescott stepped the selection up in trip from his maiden runs with great affect with the gelding landing all four of his starts over this type of stamina test. An easy win under this pilot last time suggested he's not stopping yet and under a six pound penalty still looks ahead of the assessor. Jeer ran a decent race in defeat off this mark last time but has plenty to find to beat the pick and the same can be said for Princess Flame, who won't be helped after a two pound mark rise despite a defeat last time. Chalice Welcome is at least in good heart after defying the odds to score last time but with his six pound penalty looking restrictive Valid Point is a strong selection.
Formwatch
Jeer (IRE) 18-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong to go 3rd near finish, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Distant Memories (9-6) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Betteras Bertie 18-1 (9-6) Slowly away, behind, switched right over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 8th of 15, 6l behind Wiseman's Diamond (9-3) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Valid Point (IRE) 6-5fav (9-2) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden to clear over 1f out, comfortably, won at Hamilton 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Regal Lyric (8-11) by 4l, 8 ran.
Mister Fizzbomb (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Led, ridden well over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, soon weakened, last of 7, 14l behind Wee Charlie Castle (10-0) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fm in Aug.
Princess Flame (GER) 12-1 (8-11) Held up mid-division, improved to track leaders 5f out, challenged leader 3f out, soon every chance, ridden, hung left over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Fantino (8-7) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Nice Time (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Always in rear, 9th of 10, 19l behind Sweet Hollow (8-8) at Kempton 1m 3f 3yo fll hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Aug.
Avitus 12-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 9th of 14, 11l behind Sparkaway (8-2) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Chalice Welcome 20-1 (9-0) Soon steadied into mid-division, not clear run, switched right over 2f out, good headway to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Incendo (9-0) by 1l, 12 ran.