Racecards
17:00 Pontefract
Trustees Of The National Horseracing College/British EBF Maiden Stakes (Class 5)
- 3 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f 5y
- Going: Good to Firm (Good in Places)
- Surface: Turf
- £6,000 added
- Winner: £3,240
- 2nd: £1,521
- 3rd: £761
- 4th: £380
- Form 0-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey Ella McCain
raced in second until dropped to rear over 4f out, pushed along soon after and lost ground on front two, plugged on and nearly caught eased-down second
- Form 622-2
- Age 3
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 80
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey Oliver Stammers
made all, quickened clear 2f out, stayed on strongly to win easily
- Form 6-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer C Appleby
- Jockey S De Sousa
settled in last early but took closer order to track leader over 4f out, ridden along over 2f out, beaten in second when appeared to lose action over 1f out, eased
In depth
Verdict
Gurkha's Surprise finished last at Southwell in November and is booked for third behind King Frankel and KING OF TOMORROW. The former is likely to be at short odds, despite being beaten eight lengths by Trawlerman here earlier this month, and is taken on with the Godolphin entry. By Dubawi and the third foal of a mare who has already produced two winners, he will have come on markedly for his run at Kempton in December and can see off his main rival.
Formwatch
Gurkha's Surprise (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Bumped slightly start, towards rear, ridden in last over 3f out, drifted right and no impression from 2f out, last of 12, dist behind Sammy Sunshine (8-13) at Southwell 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
King Frankel (IRE) 11-8 (9-5) Soon prominent, pushed along over 3f out, ran on from 2f out but no match for easy winner, 2nd of 5, 8 1/2l behind Trawlerman (9-5) at Pontefract 1m 4f mdn stks (4) gf in Apr.
King Of Tomorrow 13-8fav (9-5) Prominent, pushed along 3f out, keeping on when short of room 1f out, not recovered, 6th of 10, 4l behind Gloucestershire (9-5) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.