Racecards
16:45 Pontefract
High-Rise Handicap
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f 6y
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- Form 233336-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer M A Jarvis
- Jockey P Robinson
tracked leaders, chased winner and going well over 1f out, soon ridden, one pace
- Form 9057-36
- Age 10
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 90
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 92/6330-
- Age 5
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 88
- Trainer M D Hammond
- Jockey Tony Culhane
slowly into stride, held up, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
- Form 430100-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 87
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 3/61-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 86
- Trainer J & T Gosden
- Jockey R Hills
tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 811249-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer C W Fairhurst
- Jockey J Fanning
held up, ridden well over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
- Form 70160-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 81
always towards rear
- Form 054156
- Age 7
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 81
made all, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on
- Form 0-15141
- Age 10
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer Andrew Turnell
- Jockey D Corby
slowly into stride, held up behind, effort and weakened well over 2f out
- Form 560705-
- Age 7
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer N Tinkler
- Jockey Kim Tinkler
held up in rear, pushed along over 4f out, no impression
In depth
Verdict
Dower House has improved greatly on the all-weather this winter and has to be considered in this very open handicap, however Maraakeb looked a star in the making last season and is given the nod here over Shahzan House. John Gosden's colt lost his maiden tag in great style at Sandown last September. He was fully half a dozen lengths clear into the final furlong and value for at least that margin when beating Barathea Blue. The handicapper has been pretty fair and he could land this on the way to better things. Shahzan House took on some decent opponents last term, he may need to drop a few pounds before winning, but should still be in the firing line. Dower House was very impressive in a Southwell handicap last time and if he can transfer that form to to turf he will be hard to keep out of the frame. Ionian Spring and Danelor are both worthy of respect in a wide open event, but for the winner we will stick with Maraakeb.
Formwatch
Shahzan House (IRE) 5-1co-fav Tracked leaders until weakened just inside final 2f, 6th of 14, 14l behind Tiger Tiger at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (C1) sft in Oct.
Ionian Spring (IRE) 12-1 Chased leaders, ridden well over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 5l behind Night Air at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (B1) pol.
High Country (IRE) 8-1 Tracked leaders on outer, 3rd approaching straight, weakened over 2f out, last of 13, 38l behind Faasel at Naas 1m 4f hcp gs in Oct.
Settlement Craic (IRE) 66-1 Always in rear, last of 15, 40l behind Massif Centrale at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp (C1) gd in Oct.
Maraakeb (FR) 3-1 Made all, clear final 2f, unchallenged, won at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo mdn (D3) gd in Sept beating Barathea Blue by 3l, 9 ran.
Hezaam (USA) 11-4fav Took keen hold, in touch, weakened and well behind final 3f, tailed off, 9th of 13, 24l behind Autumn Wealth at Bath 1m 4f hcp (D2) sft in Oct.
Dune Raider (USA) 33-1 Mid-division, pushed along over 5f out, never dangerous, 21st of 24, well behind Carte Diamond at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-110 (B1) sft in Nov.
Danelor (IRE) 16-1 Mid-div, effort and driven 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 6th of 20, 4 1/2l behind Kew Green at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-105 gs.
Dower House 8-1 Keen, held up in rear, ridden and headway from over 2f out, driven to lead 1f out, ran on, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (D2) fbs beating Kylkenny by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Cripsey Brook 20-1 Towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 20, 3 1/2l behind Go Tech at York 1m 2f hcp (C2) gd in Oct.