Racecards
16:20 Pontefract
Totesport 0800 221 221 Bluff Cove Handicap (Class 5)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f 216y
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £8,000 added
- Form 342123
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 68
- Trainer B Ellison
- Jockey P McDonald
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final 2f, no impression
- Form 552225
- Age 4
- Weight 9-13
- Official Rating 67
- Trainer J L Spearing
- Jockey M Halford
chased leader, led 5f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner
- Form 6-98812
- Age 4
- Weight 9-12
- Official Rating 66
- Trainer Sir Mark Prescott
- Jockey S Sanders
held up, smooth headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on strongly
- Form 428321
- Age 8
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 65
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey D Fentiman
held up, effort over 3f out, stayed on final 2f, no impression
- Form 8-91346
- Age 7
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 63
soon tracking leaders, ridden well over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
Halland
9- Form 600553
- Age 8
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 61
- Trainer T J FitzGerald
- Jockey M Fenton
held up mid-division, weakened over 2f out, soon tailed off
- Form 07441-0
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 60
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey R Winston
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, soon eased, tailed off
- Form 12-0971
- Age 4
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 58
- Trainer P C Haslam
- Jockey A Hamblett
held up, ridden 4f out, kept on final 2, no impression
- Form 0-43495
- Age 3
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey J Fanning
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out
- Form 591250
- Age 5
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 58
- Trainer R F Fisher
- Jockey P Hanagan
led, headed 5f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off final 2f
Calfraz
166- Form 97/086-6
- Age 4
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 49
- Trainer M D Hammond
- Jockey Greg Fairley
held up, outpaced over 4f out, kept on final 2f, no impression
- Form 2-54453
- Age 10
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 48
- Trainer K G Reveley
- Jockey D Allan
held up, driven 6f out, kept on approaching final furlong, never dangerous
In depth
Verdict
Esprit de Corps is given a narrow vote in what is a wide open stayers race, Thewhirlingdervish and Dan's Heir are just two of many dangers. Sir Mark Prescott's four-year-old has improved with the step up in trip, winning at Beverley, before chasing home Let It Be at Catterick. He isn't blessed with a turn of foot but should be suited by this extra distance and can out-stay his rivals today. Thewhirlingdervish returned to winning ways here last time over a slightly shorter trip. On that running he holds Mister Arjay and Green As Gold and he will be hard to keep out of the money. Dan's Heir took advantage of a lenient mark last time, winning with something in hand, another big run can be expected. As we said at the start though it is a wide open race with Halland and Grasp also respected, but we expect Esprit de Corps to relish this trip and he is selected.
Formwatch
Mister Arjay (USA) 6-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Thewhirlingdervish (8-13) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Kayf Aramis 4-1co-fav (8-10) With leader, challenged on bit over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 15l behind Juniper Girl (8-2) at York 2m 2f hcap (3) sft.
Esprit de Corps 4-5fav (10-3) Prominent, led over 4f out, ridden and swerved badly right, headed over 1f out, edged left, chased winner close home, 2nd of 15, 1l behind Let It Be (9-10) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sept.
Thewhirlingdervish (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway 6f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gs beating Laggan Bay (9-8) by 5l, 11 ran.
Great As Gold (IRE) 4-1 (9-8) Held up, ridden over 4f out, headway over 2f out, faded final furlong, 6th of 11, 18l behind Thewhirlingdervish (8-13) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Halland 40-1 (9-1) Held up, behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Bollin Derek (9-1) at York 1m 6f hcap (5) sft.
Grasp 12-1 (9-11) Always in rear, eased final 2f, 14th of 15, well behind Serramanna (8-9) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sept.
Dan's Heir 11-1 (8-13) Behind, headway over 4f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Catterick 2m hcp 0-60 (6) gd beating Onyergo (9-6) by 1l, 15 ran.
Great Tidings 10-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed 4f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 4l behind Juniper Girl (8-11) at Nottingham 2m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Rare Coincidence 15-2 (9-8) Led, headed over 5f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 25l behind Irish Ballad (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Calfraz 20-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, kept on final furlong, no impression, 6th of 16, 8l behind Mister Completely (8-6) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcap (6) gf in May.
Totally Scottish 5-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out to chase leaders, soon one pace, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Virginia Rose (9-1) at Musselburgh 1m 6f banded stk (7) gs.