Fine Form
If Karl Burke’s
Antrim PO – 3.27
can translate his dirt form from Meydan to the turf of Pontefract he could take all the beating the RIU Hotels And Resorts Handicap.
The four-year-old, who switched to Spigot Lodge from John and Thady Gosden late last year, has had a busy winter, winning on his yard debut at Newcastle in December.
Another run at Gosforth Park followed before three starts in Dubai, where Antrim won a valuable handicap and concluded his stay with an appearance in a Group Two, all on dirt.
He could only finish eighth on his return to domestic action in the All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Handicap, but he is match-fit compared to his rivals and can finally get his nose in front on grass.
Burke is also fancied to take out the Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap with the lightly-raced
Reciprocated PO – 2.52
The son of Havana Grey looked really smart after winning his first two career starts last season, but came up short in Listed and Group-race company on his next couple of appearance and signed off 2025 with a disappointing handicap debut in soft ground at Ayr.
He has been gelded during the off-season and with cheekpieces also applied for this in-form yard, he is fancied to bounce back on his reappearance.
At Yarmouth
Brilliant Star YA – 2.35
can strike for the Gosdens in the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Fillies’ Restricted Novice Stakes.
By Cracksman out of Star Catcher – two of owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer’s very best performers on the track – she was second on her only run at two.
As neither her mother or father were precocious themselves, she can be expected to take a big leap forward this year.
Argy Bhaji YA – 4.20
has to be of interest in the Seadell Shops & Chalets At Hemsby Handicap.
The three-year-old has been placed on each of his three starts in novice company on the all-weather and now makes his turf and handicap debut off what looks a very workable mark of 67.
Nicky Henderson is keen to give
Crystal Island FF – 4.38
another run while he is still a novice and he should take all the beating in the South West Rail Solutions Ltd Novices’ Hurdle at Ffos Las.
A point-to-point winner, he was bought for #205,000 by the same connections who own top-class chaser Jango Baie.
He made his debut under rules at Ascot in December and despite racing a little green, stayed on powerfully for pressure after the last to win going away.
All the placed horses are now rated in the mid-120s so we have a decent gauge on the form and with normal progression for a Henderson horse taken as a given, he should be up to winning with a penalty.
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