Pocklington

Pocklington did really well to get as close as he did in the five-and-a-half-furlong handicap that opened proceedings at York on Wednesday. Slowly away from his high draw, and apparently out-paced early on, he was a detached last on the near side as they raced to the two-furlong marker. He picked up from there though, he responded well to pressure and, despite having to be switched a couple of times, and having to fight for racing room, he ran on strongly to take 10th place, closest at the finish. He was beaten less than three lengths by the winner though, and in two more strides he would have been sixth.

This was just Pocklington’s fifth run, racing from stall 21 in a race in which the first five home were drawn, respectively, 6, 7, 2, 3 and 8. Winner of his first two races, both at Newcastle in the winter, Geoff Oldroyd’s horse finished fourth in the Listed Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury in May, and he was beaten less than 10 lengths in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. He was racing here in his first handicap, and for the first time since a wind operation and, on this evidence, a mark of 96 is more than workable. He is lightly raced and he is progressive, and he will be of interest wherever he goes next. He should appreciate a step back up to six or even seven furlongs.

York, 21^st August 2024