Paul Brown
Filly
This is a 5f Class 5 handicap (5:05 Pontefract, 21 April 2026) for 4yo+ rated 0-70, worth £8,000 total (£4,187 to the winner). Several non-runners (Speeding Bullet, Tanjen, Komorkis, Midnight Lir, Filly's Last Lady) have reduced the field, leaving a competitive but manageable sprint on Good ground (Good to Firm in places) — dry, sunny conditions with a firming surface. Pontefract's 5f is a sharp, speed-favouring trip with a stiff uphill finish; low draws often have an advantage in small fields on faster ground, as prominent runners get first run before the climb.
attheraces.com
Quick Contender Breakdown (key remaining runners)3. Fuji Mountain (draw 6, 9-7, OR 68, Zak Wheatley 3, Declan Carroll) Disappointing reappearance at Doncaster (16th, beaten 13l) on softish ground. Blinkers now applied.
Has shown placed form at this trip before, but needs a big step forward at 14/1.
4. Betweenthesticks (draw 5, 9-7, OR 68, James Sullivan, Ruth Carr) Won on return at Wolverhampton (5f AW) in April (hd verdict) off a reduced mark.
Proven C&D winner on turf; in good current mood and respected. Multiple sources (Racing Post, Timeform, At The Races) like him strongly, though some note the uphill finish could test pure AW speed. Forecast around 4/1-9/2.
news.paddypower.com
5. Military Girl (draw 10, 9-5, OR 66, Sean Kirrane, Michael Dods) Consistent rather than progressive last season; scored on Catterick return in 2025 and often placed.
High draw not ideal; considered at bigger prices (11/1-12/1) but opposable on balance.
8. Sergeant Mayer (draw 4, 9-2, OR 63, Alex Jary 3, Nigel Tinkler) Mixed 2025 efforts; poor C&D run latest without cheekpieces. Headgear refitted.
Can improve but looks vulnerable at 14/1.
9. Hidden Verse (draw 1, 9-1, OR 62, Rossa Ryan, Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole) Won over 5f on turf last summer; placed efforts at 6f.
Sixth at Bath (5f) on reappearance after eight months off — not disgraced (beaten ~2¼l) and should come on for the run. Excellent low draw (1); strong jockey booking. Many tipsters (OLBG community, At The Races) make this the top pick or strong each-way chance at 7/1-4/1.
olbg.com
10. Dark Kestrel (draw 2, 8-13, OR 60, Cam Hardie, Antony Brittain) Dual 5f AW winner at Newcastle this winter; yet to show best on turf.
Low draw helps; could go well if translating AW speed, but turf record is modest (8/1-10/1).
Stats SnapshotTrainers: Ruth Carr and Paul Midgley (if any runners) in reasonable nick; Newland/Insole and Dods capable.
Jockeys: Rossa Ryan and James Sullivan among the stronger bookings.
Course/Distance: Betweenthesticks has strong C&D form; others limited exposure.
Going: Good to Firm suits speedier types; low draws + prominent runners favoured.
Overall VerdictThis looks an open sprint with the market split between proven recent winners and those with scope for improvement on turf. Betweenthesticks is the most straightforward — fresh AW winner, C&D scorer, and in-form yard/jockey. He gets plenty of support and is a solid contender.
sportinglife.com
Hidden Verse stands out for many as the value/most progressive option: turf 5f winner, promising return from a break, plum low draw, and booking of Rossa Ryan. Several previews and tipsters prefer him on the surface switch and draw. Dark Kestrel and Military Girl offer each-way interest if the AW/turf transition works, while Sergeant Mayer could bounce back with headgear.Recommended angles: Win: Hidden Verse (around 7/1-4/1) or Betweenthesticks (4/1).
Each-way: Dark Kestrel (8/1) as a saver.
Forecast ideas: Betweenthesticks/Hidden Verse or Hidden Verse/Betweenthesticks.
Pontefract's stiff 5f finish often rewards those with proven stamina at the trip over pure AW flyers. Expect a tight finish among the top three or four. Good luck
