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19:15 Pontefract

Tony Bethell Memorial Handicap (Class 4)

  • 7 Runners
  • Distance: 2m 1f 22y
  • Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
  • Surface: Turf
  • £8,000 added
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 3m 45.67s
  • Off Time: 19:15:38
  • 7 Ran
1(5)
Silk - White, Black sleeves, quartered cap
18/1
  • Form 249669/
  • Age 6
  • Weight 9-8
  • Official Rating 79

chased leader until before halfway, weakened over 2f out

2(7)
Silk - Black, White hoops, Royal Blue cap, White star

Alambic

280 BF
11/8
  • Form 111313-
  • Age 4
  • Weight 9-7
  • Official Rating 79

held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led final furlong, headed inside final furlong, no extra

3(4)
Silk - Emerald Green, White stripe, armlets and cap
5/2
  • Form 03314-2
  • Age 5
  • Weight 9-4
  • Official Rating 75

held up, in touch halfway, ridden to lead 3 out, headed final furlong, weakened inside final furlong

4(1)
Silk - YELLOW, ROYAL BLUE hoops, YELLOW sleeves, ROYAL BLUE armlets and cap
  • Form 37-2212
  • Age 8
  • Weight 8-13
  • Official Rating 70

held up, ridden 4f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong

5(2)
Silk - Dark Green, Yellow hoop and sleeves, Yellow cap, Dark Green star
14/1
  • Form 460-027
  • Age 4
  • Weight 8-12
  • Official Rating 71

held up, led before halfway, ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened, eased over 1f out

6(6)
Silk - ROYAL BLUE, RED star, BLACK cap
  • Form 566-797
  • Age 14
  • Weight 8-3
  • Official Rating 45

led until before halfway, weakened over 3f out

7(3)
Silk - Purple and Light Green stripes, Purple sleeves, Light Green cap
16/1
  • Form 2-01513
  • Age 4
  • Weight 8-2
  • Official Rating 61

chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3f out, kept on from over 1f out

In depth

Verdict

If Alambic is fit enough he could win as he has plenty of class, too much for some of these. However fitness must be taken on trust and therefore he cannot be backed at cramped odds. Course specialist Great As Gold goes on the shortlist along with Indonesia, and the last-named gets the nomination. Tim Walford's runner attracted plenty of market support on his reappearance at Newmarket and only narrowly failed to get up. He should have come on for that run and can win here as he stays well and the ground suits. Great As Gold could do with softer ground but he stays all day and if there at the turn for home it would be folly to count him out. Rocknest Island is 2lbs out of the handicap but isn't without a chance as he likes the ground and stays well, however of more interest may be Imperial Harry as he steps up in trip for the first time. There is no doubt that Alambic knows how to win but he was beaten at odds on when last seen and whilst he may have strengthened up since, he can be taken on today. Indonesia gets the nomination.

Formwatch

Hello It's Me 16-1 (9-7) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 20l behind Ouninpohja (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in Aug '05.

Alambic 4-7fav (9-3) In touch, ridden 3f out, edged left 2f out, every chance final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 10, nk behind Behlaya (9-12) at Warwick 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Sept.

Indonesia 11-2 (8-9) Held up, headway over 2f out, chased winner from over 1f out, hung left final furlong, stayed on well, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Right To Play (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 6f hcap (4) gf in May.

Great As Gold (IRE) 11-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on final furlong, every chance from over 1f out, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Kayf Aramis (8-9) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in May.

Imperial Harry 11-1 (8-11) Slowly away, held up in rear, headway on outside over 3f out, never reached leaders, weakened final furlong, 7th of 14, 5l behind Lady Songbird (8-9) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in May.

Jamaican Flight (USA) 80-1 (8-8) Led, soon clear, ridden and headed 4f out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 15l behind Great As Gold (9-8) at Pontefract 2m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.

Rocknest Island (IRE) 4-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Singhalongtasveer (9-2) at Musselburgh 2m app hcp (6) gf in May.