Racecards
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
- Form 249669/
- Age 6
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey P Aspell
chased leader until before halfway, weakened over 2f out
- Form 111313-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer Sir Mark Prescott
- Jockey S Sanders
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led final furlong, headed inside final furlong, no extra
Indonesia
16- Form 03314-2
- Age 5
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer T D Walford
- Jockey Graham Gibbons
held up, in touch halfway, ridden to lead 3 out, headed final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
- 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
- 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
- Form 566-797
- Age 14
- Weight 8-3
- Official Rating 45
- Trainer Mrs S Lamyman
- Jockey P Hanagan
led until before halfway, weakened over 3f out
- 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.