Racecards
15:40 Pontefract
Malbern Direct Handicap (Class 5)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f 22y
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £6,000 added
- Form 14/8-000
- Age 4
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 70
- Trainer W K Goldsworthy
- Jockey F Sweeney
chased leader, led over 4f out, ridden, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 234212
- Age 6
- Weight 9-13
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer B Ellison
- Jockey P McDonald
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f
- Form 2/8-9134
- Age 7
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 64
held up, ridden over 4f out, headway over 2f out, faded final furlong
- Form 05/3804
- Age 6
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 64
behind, chased leaders 10f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner
- Form 4329
- Age 5
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 60
- Trainer K G Reveley
- Jockey Tony Culhane
held up, ridden over 4f out, never on terms
- Form 742832
- Age 8
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 60
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey D Fentiman
towards rear, headway 6f out, led over 1f out, kept on well
Jidiya (IRE)
142- Form 40007-9
- Age 7
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer Mrs H O Graham
- Jockey Paul Eddery
led for 2f, ridden, lost place 7f out, tailed off
- Form 220119
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 64
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey P Mulrennan
led after 2f, headed over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 07-4871
- Age 6
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 50
- Trainer M D Hammond
- Jockey P Hanagan
held up mid-division, weakened over 3f out
Hirvine (FR)
1091- Form 954530/
- Age 8
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 45
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey R Ffrench
chased leaders, outpaced over 4f out, stayed on final 2f
- Form 00/708-5
- Age 7
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 30
in rear, in touch 6f out, quickly weakened 4f out, tailed off
In depth
Verdict
The superbely bred Hills Of Aran could pop up one these days at a big price, but a safer option here could be Fair Spin, with Mister Arjay and Thewhirlingdervish others worthy of a mention.Micky Hammond's gelding, a son of Pivotal, showed improved form on rain softened ground at Catterick, showing a real battling attitude to beat Wrenlane in a tight finish. If the ground doesn't start to dry up he can make it back to back victories. Mister Arjay has already been successful this season over course and distance, slaughtering his rivals on good ground. If the rain stays away he should be a big player. The Whirlingdervish hasn't won for some time but has also shown a liking for the West Yorkshire track and has dropped down to a decent mark. Vice Admiral could prove best of the others, but you had to admire Fair Spin's determination last time and he can follow up this afternoon.
Formwatch
Hills Of Aran 66-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden and lost place halfway, 12th of 14, 37l behind Halla San (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Sept.
Mister Arjay (USA) 5-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Incursion (9-7) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sept.
Great As Gold (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 16, 8l behind Kayf Aramis (8-0) at York 2m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in May.
Laggan Bay (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 12, 5l behind Maystock (9-6) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept.
Accordello (IRE) 5-4fav (8-7) Mid-division, headway 5f out, in touch when lost action and virtually pulled up final 2f, last of 9, well behind Mister Arjay (8-6) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Thewhirlingdervish (IRE) 15-2 (8-11) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on but no impression, 2nd of 9, 6l behind To Tiger (8-8) at Ayr 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Sept.
Jidiya (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, 28l behind Scotty's Future (9-12) at Beverley 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (5) gs in May.
Vice Admiral 4-1fav (8-13) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 15, 12l behind Esprit de Corps (9-1) at Redcar 1m 6f hcap (5) gf in Sept.
Fair Spin 14-1 (8-12) Held up behind leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven and kept on gamely final furlong, won at Ripon 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Aug beating Wrenlane (9-3) by a shd, 11 ran.
Hirvine (FR) 12-1 (9-4) Led, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 9l behind Tass Heel (9-7) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-60 (F) gf in Oct '03.
Tioga Gold (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Mid-division, effort when weakening over 2f out, 5th of 7, 16l behind Mossmann Gorge (8-11) at Southwell 1m 4f sll (6) fbs in Feb.