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20:30 Pontefract

St John Ambulance Handicap (Class E)

  • 18 Runners
  • Distance: 1m 4f 8y
  • Going: Good
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 2m 41.80s
  • 18 Ran
2
Silk -
3
Silk -
14/1

    4
    Silk -
    11/2

      1(15)
      Silk - Royal Blue, Pink hoop and sleeves, quartered cap
      13/2
      • Form 6/60553
      • Age 4
      • Weight 10-0

      held up in touch, headway on outer 4f out, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, weakened 2f out

      2(3)
      Silk - Emerald Green, Royal Blue stars, sleeves and star on cap
      • Form 1600-06
      • Age 5
      • Weight 9-9

      held up mid-division, ridden and behind from 4 out

      3(2)
      Silk - Royal Blue, Yellow spots, Royal Blue sleeves, Yellow seams, Royal Blue cap
      9/2
      • Form 56-4102
      • Age 4
      • Weight 9-8

      mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on approaching final furlong

      4(9)
      Silk - Yellow, large Maroon spots
      • Form 5-01404
      • Age 7
      • Weight 9-8

      chased leader, ridden to lead just over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong

      5(16)
      Silk - Dark Blue and White stripes, Red sleeves, White cap
      40/1
      • Form 11514-0
      • Age 6
      • Weight 9-7

      slowly away, went right start, always behind

      6(7)
      Silk - ROYAL BLUE, RED star, BLACK cap
      25/1
      • Form 530042
      • Age 5
      • Weight 9-4

      in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened

      7(12)
      Silk - Orange, Black braces, striped sleeves
      • Form 003000
      • Age 4
      • Weight 9-4

      mid-division, and was never nearer

      8(11)
      Silk - Dark Blue, Yellow armlets and cap
      • Form 026-03
      • Age 4
      • Weight 9-4

      always behind

      9(4)
      Silk - White, royal blue seams, striped sleeves, royal blue cap
      16/1
      • Form 34540-0
      • Age 4
      • Weight 9-0

      in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out

      10(6)
      Silk - FLAME, GREEN collar and cuffs, FLAME and GREEN quartered cap
      14/1
      • Form 05004-4
      • Age 5
      • Weight 9-0

      held up mid-division, ridden in headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong

      11(5)
      Silk - Gold and Black check, Pink sleeves and cap

      Pop Gun

      17
      11/2
      • Form 0043-12
      • Age 4
      • Weight 8-13

      chase leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong

      12(18)
      Silk - Black, Lilac star, quartered cap
      66/1
      • Form 4160-00
      • Age 4
      • Weight 8-12

      always towards rear

      13(14)
      Silk - Black, White diamond, halved sleeves and diamond on cap
      13/2
      • Form 0-22314
      • Age 3
      • Weight 8-9

      chased leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, every chance final furlong, ran on inside

      14(17)
      Silk - WHITE, LIGHT BLUE and YELLOW striped sleeves, quartered cap
      16/1
      • Form 1550-00
      • Age 6
      • Weight 8-8

      mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong

      15(8)
      Silk - Dark Blue and Light Blue (halved), Dark Blue sleeves, Red cap
      • Form 5604-60
      • Age 4
      • Weight 8-7

      led, ridden over 2f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out

      16(1)
      Silk - LIGHT GREEN, PURPLE hoops, LIGHT GREEN sleeves
      16/1
      • Form 365-620
      • Age 7
      • Weight 8-3

      behind, effort over 3f out, weakened final 2f

      17(10)
      Silk - Red and White stripes, Red cap, White star

      Chevin

      32
      33/1
      • Form 00666-0
      • Age 4
      • Weight 8-1

      chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out

      18(13)
      Silk - Emerald Green and Beige diabolo, quartered cap
      • Form 0244-05
      • Age 6
      • Weight 8-0

      steadied start, behind, headway 4f out, weakened over 2f out

      In depth

      Verdict

      This looks a competitive handicap with several runners holding claims including Newmarket raiders Perfect Punch, Aphra Benn and Border Tale but a chance is taken with Valeureux, who appeals at the forecast odds. Perfect Punch went down by just a length to Eric Alston's Nakwa at Newcastle over this trip last time and has to be respected off just a 3lb higher mark and is entitled to improve further, along with the lightly-raced Aphra Benn. Michael Bell's Border Tale has been a consistent performer this term but gave the indication last time that he may now be in the grip of the handicapper. The top weight Golden Boot has the assistance of Kieren Fallon in the saddle but a doubt remains concerning his ability to stay this trip and more solid claims are held by the Barry Hills-trained Pop Gun. The son of Pharly has shown improved form this term and has to be respected. Sinjaree was well supported last time and it will be interesting to see whether he is backed again over this longer distance, which is expected to suit. However, it is Valeureux who gets the vote. Admittedly the son of Cadeaux Genereux has not won for over two years but he showed respectable form over a variety of trips last term and looked unlucky not to win over hurdles last season. Returning to the flat on a very favourable mark, the five-year-old ran creditably first time out at Hamilton over an inadequate mile. Now stepped up to today's distance, he looks worth a bet at potentially rewarding odds.