Racecards
16:25 Pontefract
St. John Ambulance Handicap (Class 3)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £13,000 added
- Form 18-0329
- Age 4
- Weight 9-12
- Official Rating 88
- Trainer R M Whitaker
- Jockey Ted Durcan
behind, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 190006
- Age 5
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer J S Goldie
- Jockey Saleem Golam
held up mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, one pace
- Form 62-121
- Age 3
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 86
- Trainer H & R Charlton
- Jockey S J Drowne
held up mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, stayed on
- Form 22807-0
- Age 4
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 80
- Trainer T D Barron
- Jockey P Fessey
chased leaders, ridden and lost place over 2f out
- Form 710626
- Age 5
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey P M Quinn
slowly into stride, behind, one pace final 2f
- Form 13-5724
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 78
chased winner, weakened final furlong
- Form 009832
- Age 4
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 73
in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
- Form 0-31361
- Age 3
- Weight 8-8
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer Jedd O'Keeffe
- Jockey P Mulrennan
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
- Form 573062
- Age 4
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer W J H Ratcliffe
- Jockey A Mullen
made all, ran on
- Form 043009
- Age 5
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 64
chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon outpaced
In depth
Verdict
Damika can overcome top weight in this company and give in-form local trainer Richard Whitaker another winner. Stonecrabstomrrow rates as a big threat, while Genki - an improving type of Roger Charlton's - has to be monitored closely in the betting. The last named is a lightly raced type that has already paid his way with a couple of smooth successes. He has plenty more to offer but does have a bit to prove in stepping outside his age group for the first time on ground this testing. Stonecrabstomrrow was only a head behind the selection when they met here earlier in the month and then confirmed his well being with a solid run at Haydock a fortnight ago. He handles the ground and a big run can be expected. However, Damika has a slightly stronger profile and, although there is unlikely to be much in it, the son of Namid is taken to edge a tight one to call.
Formwatch
Damika (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Close up until weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 12l behind Countdown (8-10) at York 7f hcp 0-100 (2) hvy.
Geojimali 14-1 (9-4) Dwelt and behind, soon chased along, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Final Dynasty (9-4) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Genki (IRE) 13-2 (8-6) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead post, won at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May beating Lipocco (9-7) by a shd, 14 ran.
Paris Bell 6-1 (9-7) Dwelt, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on, no impression, 6th of 10, 3l behind Tamagin (9-7) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Wheels In Motion (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 7, 4l behind Gongidas (9-7) at Nottingham 1m hcap (4) sft.
Stonecrabstomorrow (IRE) 5-2fav (8-10) Close up, shaken up over 2f out, led over 1f out, edged left, headed close home, 2nd of 10, hd behind Balakiref (8-12) at Haydock 6f hcap (4) hvy.
Bid For Gold 12-1 (8-13) Held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs beating Digital (8-8) by 3l, 10 ran.
Bel Cantor 7-2jt-fav (9-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance from over 1f out, not quicken near finish, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Dakota Rain (9-10) at Leicester 6f app hcp (5) sft.