Racecards
14:20 Pontefract
Betfair.com Apprentice Series Round 4 Handicap (Class 6)
- 19 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f 6y
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- Form 7-07640
- Age 4
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 59
- Trainer P A Blockley
- Jockey K Ghunowa
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 7259-60
- Age 4
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 57
- Trainer M C Chapman
- Jockey Jemma Marshall
always behind
- Form 961543
- Age 9
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 54
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey Victoria Behan
always behind
- Form 6887-09
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 60
- Trainer P C Haslam
- Jockey G Bartley
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
- Form 653132
- Age 10
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 53
- Trainer Karen McLintock
- Jockey James Doyle
mid-division, ridden, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
- Form 80080-5
- Age 5
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 52
- Trainer M E Sowersby
- Jockey A Reilly
behind, headway over 2f out, ridden, hung left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
- Form 0/080-41
- Age 5
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 52
- Trainer R A Fahey
- Jockey Greg Fairley
prominent, keen, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Melvino
10- Form 377049
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 57
- Trainer T D Barron
- Jockey J Jones
in touch, ridden 3f out, switched right inside final furlong, staying on when not clear run towards finish
- Form 402205
- Age 7
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 51
- Trainer K G Reveley
- Jockey Neil Brown
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
- Form 483466
- Age 5
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 50
- Trainer G A Ham
- Jockey A Hamblett
always towards rear
- Form 398-700
- Age 4
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 50
- Trainer N P Littmoden
- Jockey Steven Harrison
always towards rear
Star Rising
35- Form 067
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 57
- Trainer W J Musson
- Jockey A Rutter
towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
- Form 604560
- Age 3
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 56
- Trainer G A Swinbank
- Jockey A Elliott
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, edged right, one pace towards finish
- Form 00-7302
- Age 5
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 49
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey Adele Rothery
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon behind
- Form 070885
- Age 3
- Weight 8-8
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer J & S Quinn
- Jockey T J O'Brien
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, hung left, led inside final furlong, ran on
- Form 7-80600
- Age 3
- Weight 8-4
- Official Rating 51
- Trainer J G Given
- Jockey Liam Jones
in touch, slipped bend after 2f, ridden over 4f out, weakened quickly
Rudaki
4- Form 30-0650
- Age 3
- Weight 8-3
- Official Rating 50
- Trainer M E Sowersby
- Jockey R Kingscote
chased leaders, ridden, hung left over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
- Form 059-050
- Age 3
- Weight 8-3
- Official Rating 50
- Trainer M H Tompkins
- Jockey M Waite
slowly into stride, always towards rear
In depth
Verdict
Saif Sareea has the form, the draw and the jockey to make him the choice in the opener, with Gala Sunday, Eton and Donna's Double all likely to play a part. Apprentice Greg Fairley has sprung to prominence with his exploits for Mark Johnston this season but picks up the ride on the Richard Fahey inmate Saif Sareea here. He bolted up on his first start for the stable at Beverley last month, having been claimed out of Tony Forbes's yard after turning out over hurdles. The breakneck pace at Beverley suited Saif Sareea in that hands and heels apprentice affair as he swept through to lead under Slade O'Hara, and a similar scenario should unfold here. Gala Sunday was unlucky in running at Nottingham last time, clipping heels early on and Serena Brotherton did well to get second in the end. The faster ground should help his cause and he can go close along with Eton who seems to have recaptured some of his old form these days. Donna's Double has been ultra-consistent this term but is getting on a bit now and probably has more to do than of late, and as long as they go a fast pace, it is Saif Sareea that can come out on top.
Formwatch
Yashin (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Always towards rear far side, last of 14, 19l behind Flying Edge (9-0) at Hamilton 6f hcp (6) gs in Jun.
Eton (GER) 9-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, headway 3f out, led briefly over 2f out, ridden and kept on until no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Donna's Double (9-2) at Newcastle 1m 2f sll (6) sft in Aug.
Donna's Double 15-2 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on strongly towards finish, just held, 2nd of 14, shd behind Fairlie (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (6) gf.
Saif Sareea 4-1fav (9-0) Held up behind leaders, improved to lead well over 2f out, edged and clear over 1f out, pushed out, won at Beverley 1m 2f app mdn hcp 0-80 (6) gs in Aug beating Master Nimbus (9-1) by 7l, 15 ran.
Ruby Legend 6-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, staying on when not much room inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Fairlie (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (6) gf.
Bayreuth 14-1 (8-5) Led, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure final furlong, no impression, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Compton Dragon (8-12) at Newcastle 1m 2f app stk 0-60 (6) gd in Aug.
Gala Sunday (USA) 11-2co-fav (10-10) Held up, clipped heels over 5f out, ridden and headway well over 1f out, soon edged left, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Successor (10-1) at Nottingham 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) sft in Jul.
Leslingtaylor (IRE) 22-1 (8-5) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 13, 4l behind Halla San (8-11) at Haydock 1m 3f 3yo hcp (5) gd.