Timeform Daily, Monday April 20, Pontefract, 4.40

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 19 April 2009 / Leave a Comment

Timeform run the rule over the Frank Shaw 80th Birthday Celebration Handicap (5).

With Walter Swinburn's team in good order, Ibbetson is taken to capitalise on a fair mark ahead of his handicap debut. White Deer stuck on well once headed at Thirsk on Friday and along with Arctic Cape, are the main dangers.

White Deer dropped a long way in the weights in a winless campaign in 2008 and was well backed on his reappearance. He shaped as though he needed that run and stayed on well at Thirsk last week having been headed. He is a contender.

Arctic Cape was highly regarded but failed to win in 2008, albeit shaping with promise on a couple of occasions. He has been gelded since and can be competitive off this mark. He may do better this time round.

Star Strider is a quirky sort. The handicapper has taken charge with him since his last win on the all-weather in December and he didn't do enough at Brighton last time, albeit over a trip that stretched him, to warrant an interest here.

Stoic Leader is a tough sort who continues to run respectably on the all-weather. He posted a fair effort back on turf last week, but a bit more is needed to score in this company.

Ibbetson has improved with each of his three starts in maidens last season and looks on a fair mark ahead of handicap debut. His stable are in good form at present and he is a very interesting contender.

Society Venue is a maiden who ran a couple of good races last summer. He doesn't look well handicapped though and is opposable on his return from a break.

Lord Theo is an inconsistent handicapper whose best efforts would give him claims but who was beaten on merit at Nottingham last time. His overall record suggests caution is advised.

This Ones For Eddy was reliable in the main over six/seven-furlongs on the all-weather this winter. He is able to race off a lower mark on turf and posted a good effort in defeat at Nottingham last time. A reproduction of that form here would put him in the thick of things.

Champain Sands is well into the veteran stage now but posted some solid efforts in defeat last summer and is now down to a tempting mark. He is entitled to come on for his recent reappearance but his losing run goes back some way.

Strategic Knight showed promise for Paul Cole as a two-year-old but has made little impact since returning from a long absence and has something to prove from out of the handicap.