Racecards
18:35 Pontefract
Chancy Sponsored Macmillan Mile Claiming Stakes
- 3 Runners
- Distance: 1m 4y
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- Form 09-0840
- Age 7
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 79
tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner over 2f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, not quicken
- Form 111353-
- Age 11
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 89
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey J P Spencer
made all, ridden entering final furlong, held on well towards finish
- Form 9-52266
- Age 6
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey Adrian Nicholls
tracked winner until over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, one pace
In depth
Verdict
The Prince has an obvious chance at the weights on his reappearance and, provided that he is fit enough for his return, the Ian Williams-trained gelding should be too good for his rivals with Mystic Man and Distant Country rated the best of them. The selection has plenty in hand on official BHB ratings, goes on the ground and is well suited by a stiff mile. Distant Country often flattered to deceive when trained by Lynda Ramsden and it will be interesting to see if he has a change in fortune now that he is in the care of Paul Howling. Northern Desert has claims in receipt of so much weight but has given little sign of encouragement recently, while Bailieborough is hard to recommend at the weights. Of more interest may be Kevin Ryan's Mystic Man, who has an attractive weight on the pick of his form but if The Prince runs up to his best he will be hard to beat.
Formwatch
Mystic Man (FR) 7-2fav (9-6) In touch, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 6l behind Stoic Leader (9-4) at Redcar 1m hcp (4) gf.
The Prince 7-2fav (8-6) Held up towards rear, headway and hampered 2f out, soon switched right, ridden, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Corriolanus (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (C1) pol in Nov.
Bailieborough (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway when not clear run 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 17, 5l behind Iskander (9-3) at Nottingham 1m hcp (5) gf.
Distant Country (USA) 4-1fav (9-9) Held up, ridden and headway when not clear run over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 8th of 17, 7l behind Iskander (9-3) at Nottingham 1m hcp (5) gf.
Northern Desert (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, weakened 3f out, soon eased and virtually pulled up, last of 20, 29l behind San Antonio (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) gd.