Fourth Race 7.50 5f 3y THE JOHN WINTER & CO 60TH BIRTHDAY HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS

2)

for three yrs old and upwards ™ Total prize fund £30000

Owners Prize Money. 1st £12189, 2nd £6096, 3rd £3048, 4th £1524, 5th £762, 6th £381.

(Penalty Value £15462)

For conditions of this race, see page 31

LEADING COURSE TRAINER (17-22): T Easterby (30 wins from 323 runners, 9%) runs COPPER KNIGHT & MATTICE

TRAINER-IN-FORM (LAST 14 DAYS): T Easterby (14 wins from 101 runners, 14%) runs COPPER KNIGHT & MATTICE colours no horse age st-lb

LONGEST TRAVELLERS: ROCKET RODNEY trained by G Scott & RUSSET GOLD trained by R Varian - both Newmarket, 147 miles.

1 ALLIGATOR ALLEY (GB) (33) 306003 D

Br B g Kingman - Overturned Ryan Sexton (3) J

O Akela Thoroughbreds Limited David O’Meara, Upper Helmsley T

B Whatton Manor Stud Akela Plant Hire Ltd S

TIMEFORM VIEW Completed hat-trick on AW last winter and has shaped well in defeat more recently, latest when third of 8 in handicap (5/1) at Doncaster (5f, firm) 33 days ago. Not out of things.

2 ROCKET RODNEY (GB) (14) 220-602 D

Br B g Dandy Man (IRE) - Alushta

3 9-10 (6)

Curtis J

O Victorious Racing George Scott, Newmarket T

B R. W. Stapleton Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock Limited S

TIMEFORM VIEW Dual winner at 2 yrs and back on track when second of 8 in handicap (10/3) at Doncaster (5f, firm) 14 days ago. Warrants respect.

3 PILLOW TALK (IRE) (28) 216-200 D

3 9-5 (2)

Br B f Kodiac - Flawless Jewel (FR) Daniel Tudhope J

O Clipper Logistics

B Mountarmstrong Stud & Partners

K. R. Burke, Leyburn T

TIMEFORM VIEW Below form thirteenth of 26 in handicap at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm, 22/1) 28 days ago, not ideally placed. Others preferred.

4 RUSSET GOLD (GB) (27) 5013-01 CD

TFRHHIII BHA91

3 9-4 (7)

Br Ch g Al Kazeem - Affluent Rossa Ryan J

O Mr D. J. Deer Roger Varian, Newmarket T

B D. J. and Mrs Deer Oakgrove Stud S

TIMEFORM VIEW Made it third time lucky at 2 yrs and stepped up on his comeback run to double his tally at Redcar (5f, good to firm) last month, seen to maximum effect in grabbing the far rail. Only has few miles on the clock so no surprise if he’s in the mix again.

5 ELEGANT ERIN (IRE) (7) 5331-05 CD

TFRHHHII BHA90

6 9-1 (5)

Br B m Dandy Man (IRE) - Eriniya (IRE) Graham Lee J

O R J Bloodstock Paul Midgley, Westow T

B Brian Miller Sandfield Racing S

TIMEFORM VIEW Four-time winner last season who has shaped well in both starts this term, latest when 1 3/4 lengths fifth of 18 to Copper Knight in handicap at York (5f, good) 7 days ago, nearest finish. Shortlisted. TFRHHHHH BHA83 (-1)

6 COPPER KNIGHT (IRE) (7) 600001 D

Br B g Sir Prancealot (IRE) - Mystic Dream

O Ventura Racing (Copper) & Partner

B Wardstown Stud Ltd

9 8-13 (in 4lb ex) (3)

Sean Kirrane (3) J

Tim Easterby, Malton T

Easthorpe Hall Stud S

TIMEFORM VIEW Bounced back to form when taking 18-runner handicap at York (5f, good, 11/1) 7 days ago.

Remains fairly treated under a 4lb penalty and must enter calculations.

7 MATTICE (GB) (7) 660443 D

Br B g Mattmu - Ice Mayden

O Mr B Valentine & Partner

B Bearstone Stud Limited

TFRHHHHI BHA77 (+6)

4 8-9 (4)

Duran Fentiman J

Tim Easterby, Malton T

M.A.V. Wallcoverings Ltd S

TIMEFORM VIEW Dual winner last season who has acquitted himself well in recent starts, latest when 3/4-length third of 18 to stablemate Copper Knight in handicap at York (5f, good) 7 days ago. Likely to make presence felt.

TFRHHHHI BHA77

DECLARED RUNNERS 7

2022: NO CORRESPONDING RACE LAST YEAR

Tongue Strap worn by No 6. Visor, Tongue Strap worn by No 1. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No 6, 7.

Record Time: 1min 0.49secs; Median Time: 1min 3.30secs

Stewards Note:

ALLIGATOR ALLEY: Following its run on 18/6/2023 it was reported that the horse hung left handed.

Probable S.P.’s: 9-2 Copper Knight (IRE), 5-1 Rocket Rodney (GB), Mattice (GB), 11-2 Russet Gold (GB), 13-2 Alligator Alley (GB), 8-1 Pillow Talk (IRE), 17-2 Elegant Erin (IRE)

PLAY SMARTER

ELEGANT ERIN has caught the eye in both starts this term and will appreciate this stiffer course. She can resume winning ways. Copper Knight and Mattice are feared most in what looks a competitive contest.

John Winter & Co will present a memento and a bottle of Go Racing In Yorkshire Champagne to the winning owner in the Winner’s Enclosure after this race A cash prize of £50 will be presented to the stable employee in charge of the best turned out horse in this race.

The winning horse will also receive a sack of carrots kindly donated by Poskitts Vegetable Farmers and Growers

Hblb

The Horserace Betting Levy Board prize fund schemes provide for the estimated inclusion of £339,022 in ratecard and incremental prize money at this racecourse from May to August 2023.

Abbreviations

BF - Beaten Favourite.C - Course Winner.U - Unseated Rider.

D - Distance Winner.d - Disqualified. S - Slipped.

Welfare Of Horses And Riders

The safety and welfare of all horses and riders involved in races at Pontefract is one of our principal priorities. A Paramedic Ambulance, a Doctor and a Vet follow the runners in every race.

GREEN SCREENS will normally be erected round any horse or rider requiring attention in order to provide privacy. This does NOT necessarily reflect on the severity of any injury.