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17:10 Pontefract

Maracas Bay Maiden Stakes (Class 5)

  • 8 Runners
  • Distance: 1m 4y
  • Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places
  • Surface: Turf
  • £5,000 added
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 1m 44.33s
  • Off Time: 17:10:38
  • 8 Ran
1(5)
Silk - Dark Green, Red hoop, Red and Dark Green halved sleeves, quartered cap
  • Form 055
  • Age 3
  • Weight 9-3
  • Official Rating 45

in touch, reminders halfway, soon beaten

2(9)
Silk - Orange, Black and White hooped cap
  • Form 435283
  • Age 3
  • Weight 9-3
  • Official Rating 72

dwelt, towards rear, headway on inner over 2f out, driven to chase winner final furlong

3(2)
Silk - White, Light Blue triple diamond, sleeves and cap
14/1
  • Form 7-6
  • Age 3
  • Weight 9-3

led, hung right, headed after 2f, remained in touch, hung badly right when weakening over 2f out

4(3)
Silk - Yellow, Royal Blue braces, hooped sleeves
100/1
  • Form 566634
  • Age 3
  • Weight 8-12
  • Official Rating 45

in touch, led after 2f, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out

5(1)
Silk - Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves
5/1
  • Form 6-56223
  • Age 3
  • Weight 8-12
  • Official Rating 66

tracked leaders, led over 2f out, driven, kept on strongly final furlong

6(6)
Silk - Royal Blue and Black check, White sleeves and cap
  • Form 4-60640
  • Age 3
  • Weight 8-12
  • Official Rating 64

mid-division, effort over 2f out, ridden, one pace final 2f

7(7)
Silk - Light blue, dark blue stripe, white sleeves, yellow cap
  • Form 3-3
  • Age 3
  • Weight 8-12

mid-division, ridden along over 3f out, soon weakened

8(8)
Silk - Purple
  • Form 3532
  • Age 3
  • Weight 8-12
  • Official Rating 70

towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, driven over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong

9(4)
NR
150/1
  • Form 7
  • Age 3
  • Weight 8-12

Withdrawn

In depth

Verdict

A tricky maiden to end the card and Handset is just selected ahead of Namibian Pink and Paradise Dancer. Henry Cecil's maiden used to be unbeatable at Pontefract in days gone by and Handset has shown enough this season to warrant the vote today. She has chased home some progressive types and could be slightly better than her rating of 68. Namibian Pink finished third in a decent looking Salisbury maiden last time out and does have plenty of scope for improvement. Paradise Dancer has placed form in modest company this term but should still be involved in the finish here. Sonning Star looks to be the best of the rest, but may struggle to give weight to our selection who is Handset.

Formwatch

Betterlatethanever (IRE) 100-1 (9-3) Prominet, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 19l behind Double Doors (9-3) at Ripon 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gf in Sept.

Sonning Star (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden along and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Moheebb (8-4) at Beverley 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd in Sept.

Still Calm 25-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden 4f out, one pace, 6th of 10, 9l behind Royal Jasra (9-3) at Haydock 1m 3f mdn stk (5) gf in Sept.

First Valentini 20-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, effort 2f out, ridden, weakened final furlong, 4th of 8, 7l behind Step In Line (9-3) at Redcar 7f mdn stk (5) frm in Sept.

Handset (USA) 5-4fav (8-12) Held up, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong to press for 2nd near finish, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Power Ballad (8-12) at Kempton 1m mdn aut stk (6) pol in Sept.

Joyful Tears (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened and eased, last of 12, 33l behind Spirit of Adjisa (9-2) at Brighton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) gs.

Namibian Pink (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden and every chance 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Elusive Dreams (9-3) at Salisbury 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (4) gs in Aug.

Paradise Dancer (IRE) 11-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway 2f out, led well inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Red Birr (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (5) pol in Sept.

Shady Bay 100-1 (8-5) Slowly away, behind, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 22l behind Step In Line (9-3) at Redcar 7f mdn stk (5) frm in Sept.