Pontefract
FlatClass 41m
Verdict
Verdict
BEST RATE finally won a handicap last time and is well treated going without a penalty here so a reproduction of that effort should be able to see him follow up. Sailthisshipalone and Jez Bomb are C&D winners to take seriously if Best Rate doesn't deliver.
Best Rate
Sailthisshipalone
Jez Bomb
Win or Each Way
Win or Each Way
Each Way terms: 1/4 odds for first 2 places
1. BillybJ: Sam JamesT: Craig LidsterF: 7351-8707- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 7
- Weight:
- 9-11
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 82
- Days Since Last Run:
- 23
VerdictTwice a winner at this trip last year but largely proved vulnerable to less-exposed rivals this time around. Now drops back below last winning mark but still looks an unlikely winner.- 2. Best RateJ: Seamus CroninT: Richard HannonF: 4-4643241
- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 9-8
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 79
- Days Since Last Run:
- 7
VerdictWas knocking on the door before belatedly opening his handicap account when winning at this trip at Ascot (11/4F, 8 runners) 7 days ago. Escapes a penalty for that success and is due to be 7 lb higher in the weights so this is an outstanding opportunity for him to follow up. - 3. Jez BombJ: Oisin James OrrT: Sam EnglandF: 36230491
- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 9-5
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 76
- Days Since Last Run:
- 18
VerdictWon a 7-runner handicap over C&D 18 days ago, getting off the mark for the season with a better start helping. Up 3 lb now and faces a tougher task, especially with the well-treated Best Rate, but hold place claims if continuing to get away on terms. - 4. SailthisshipaloneJ: Silvestre De SousaT: Ivan FurtadoF: 717-14393
- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 9-4
- Gear:
- cheekpieces and tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 75
- Days Since Last Run:
- 10
VerdictWon from this mark over C&D in April and turned in creditable third of 9 here 10 days ago. Still not had that many starts for current yard and should prove competitive. 
5. EmpirestateofmindJ: James SullivanT: John & Sean QuinnF: 295-04099- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 8
- Weight:
- 9-3
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 74
- Days Since Last Run:
- 28
VerdictOnly reasonable effort this year came when fourth of 8 at Ripon in April and he's hard to fancy on recent showings, but he has at least won over C&D in the past, while cheekpieces also return here.
6. KartiniJ: Andrew ElliottT: Simon WhitakerF: 34492-- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 8-10
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 67
- Days Since Last Run:
- 233
VerdictImproved when second of 10 at Chelmsford over 1¼m in November, travelling well and closing to the line. Absent since and now goes without tongue strap and faces first start on turf in a deeper race on debut for new trainer so has a bit to prove.- Unnamed Favourite
- Unnamed 2nd Favourite