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Racecards

15:10 Pontefract

Graham Rock Memorial Handicap (Class 4)

  • 4 Runners
  • Distance: 1m 2f 6y
  • Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
  • Surface: Turf
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 2m 11.68s
  • 4 Ran
Go to Full Result
1
Silk -

Zabeel Palace

7/2

    1(1)
    Silk - Red, White epaulets, Black and White hooped sleeves and cap

    Emerald Bay (IRE)

    10 BF
    Evs
    • Form 4-21143
    • Age 3
    • Weight 9-7
    • Official Rating 84

    tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, one pace final furlong

    2(3)
    Silk - MAROON, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star

    Zabeel Palace

    201 D
    7/2
    • Form 754-1
    • Age 3
    • Weight 9-6
    • Official Rating 83

    made all, led steady pace, quickened over 4f out, ridden and kept on final furlong

    3(2)
    Silk - Light Green, Red striped sleeves, Yellow cap

    Asharon

    22 b D
    8/1
    • Form 305300
    • Age 3
    • Weight 9-2
    • Official Rating 79

    steadied at start, held up behind leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong

    4(4)
    Silk - Dark Green and Red (quartered), White sleeves, Dark Green cap

    Stargazer Jim (FR)

    19
    3/1
    • Form 541
    • Age 3
    • Weight 8-7
    • Official Rating 70

    held up in rear, driven along, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong

    In depth

    Verdict

    Mark Johnston rarely leaves Pontefract without a winner and Emerald Bay can add to his impressive tally, Zabeel Palace and Stargazer Jim could be the ones to chase him home. The selection was in great form last month landing back to back victories at Haydock and Nottingham. He's continued in good form and wasn't beaten far behind Habshan at Doncaster recently. That was a more competitive event than this and he can return to winning ways. Zabeel Palace hasn't seen a racecourse since winning at Lingfield in January, but hails from a top yard that is very capable of getting a horse fit following a lay off and he warrants every respect. Stargazer Jim landed a Wolverhampton maiden last time and appears to have stronger claims than the only other runner Asheron. So a tricky four runner affair but Emerald Bay looks to be the safest option.

    Formwatch

    Emerald Bay (IRE) 13-8fav (9-10) Led, headed well over 1f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Habshan (9-5) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4) gf.

    Zabeel Palace 4-1 (8-13) Made all, hung right entering straight, pressed well over 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, all out, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (D2) pol in Jan beating Wotchalike (8-8) by a hd, 6 ran.

    Asharon 25-1 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 17l behind Group Captain (8-12) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf.

    Stargazer Jim (FR) 13-2 (8-12) Always prominent, went 2nd over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol beating Forest of Love (8-7) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.