Hi all,
A rare Monday for selections. I’m off to Pontefract for its final day of racing in 2022 so I thought I would share some thoughts with you. Today’s betting advice can be found at the end of today’s preview.
Pontefract
The feature of an eight race card is the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Silver Tankard Stakes (2:00).
Nine juveniles have been declared for a race which Irish Derby winner Westover finished runner-up in 12 months ago. I’m not sure we’ll see a future classic winner among today’s runners. However, its an intriguing looking race which should prove informative contest
Here’s a quick preview of the race.
2:00 – Silver Tankard Stakes (Listed Race) – 1m
Early bird favourite Local Dynasty bounced back to winning ways in a Sandown novice race (1m) last month. He was strong at the finish on what was close to heavy ground and is open to further progress.
The filly Sirona looked a nice middle distance prospect for next season when winning a Listed race at Cologne 22-days ago. She has a 3lb penalty to carry for that success but like the favourite is capable of better.
Captain Winters has improved with each of his four starts. The son of Lope De Vega was doing his best work at the finish when a 2 ¼ length 3rd of 6 to Naval Power in Listed race at Haydock last month. Will need further than mile in time but isn’t out of this on ratings.
Think First bids for a hat trick after two wins at Chelmsford. Another likely capable of better but must prove he’s as effective on turf.
Ralph Beckett has saddled the winner of this race twice since 2015 and had Westover finish runner-up last year. He relies on Luckin Brew today. The filly got off the mark at the third attempt when winning at Kempton last month. Needs to improve again but given her trainer’s record in the race she must be respected from a handy low draw with Ryan Moore booked.
Arkendale is the least experienced of the field. The son of Pivotal was a promising 2 length 2nd of 10 on racecourse debut. He was going as well as any at the rear on the stands rail when not getting any sort of run between the final two furlongs and had to be switched out to the middle for a run. Interesting that connections opt for his second start in pattern company.
Rest of the card:
1:30 – Kittykarma has a handy draw in stall 2 and she should be suited by the return to a mile for her nursery debut. Coverdale is another making his nursery debut and will be suited by return to a mile. Ralph Beckett won this in 2016 and saddles Lunacy who makes his nursery debut in the first time blinkers.
2:35 – Indefatigable is likely to be using this 2m 2f conditions race as a prep for the Grade 2 bet365 Hurdle at Wetherby Charlie Hall meeting a race she won last season. However, she won a maiden here 12 months ago, on her sole run on the flat, off a summer break.
3:10 – There are plenty of exposed handicappers in this 1m 2f handicap so it may pay to focus on the two handicap debutants. Poker Face will be popular with punters after wins here (1m) and at Newcastle 17-days ago.There should be more to come from the 3-year-old now going handicapping stepped up to 1m 2f for the first time. Reach won a maiden here (1m 4f) at the last meeting. The 4-year-old has only had three career starts and is another potential improver now going handicapping for the first time.
Of the more exposed handicappers you can never rule out three time course winner Regal Mirage. The 8-year-old ran well when a 2 ½ length 4th of 15 here over mile last month. This trip is better, and he comes into the race having had just three starts this campaign. Now 1lb below his last winning mark and should be in the mix.
3:45 – I like the two rhythms in this 6f handicap. The Racing Post betting forecast favourite is the Ralph Beckett trained Rich Rhythm. The 3-year-old won a Windsor novice (good to firm) two starts back and ran better than his 2 ¼ length 4th of 7 on handicap debut at Kempton last month suggests. He was slowly away last time and did well to get as close as he did in race where it paid to be handy. Looks on a workable mark if as effective on easy surface.
Rhythm was a ½ length 3rd of 11 over C&D earlier this month and then went to two places better in an apprentice handicap at Newcastle 6-days ago. Doesn’t have a penalty for that win and must go close if the same form this afternoon.
4:20 – Magical Effect might be a 10-year-old but showed he’s not lost any enthusiasm for the game when a nose 2nd of 11 over C&D two weeks ago. He can be slowly away, and his style of racing means he needs plenty of luck in the run but if he gets is on a winnable mark.
Close Quarters is the least experienced of the 15 runners and we haven’t seen the filly since she was ¾ length 2nd of 8 here (5f) back in May. Potential improver on handicap debut and must be respected.
Special Mayson took advantage of some leniency from the handicapper when making all to win at Leicester 18-days ago. Up 4lb makes life tougher but the 4-year-old won back to back handicaps last autumn.
4:55 – Dual C&D winner Rayong has to be respected dropping back into Class 4 company. As does recent C&D winner
Ginger Jam despite a 3lb rise in the weights. Ginger Jam’s stablemate Another Investment is another worth considering albeit he comes out of stall 11. The 4-year-old shaped like he remains in form when a 5 length 7th of 16 at Haydock last time. He had little chance from his low draw that day but did best of those who raced down the centre. Best form at 6f but a strongly run over a stiff 5f could suit him.
Grantley Hall looked like an improver when making all to win at Beverley (5f) on her handicap debut two starts back. Worryingly the filly ran no sort of race when 22nd of 24 in Ayr’s Bronze Cup. Hopes are pinned on a return to 5f seeing her back to her best.
Betting Advice:
Pontefract
1:30 – Coverdale – 1pt win – 5/1 @ Bet365
2:35 – Indefatigable – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Bet365
3:10 – Reach – 1pt win – 9/2 @ Bet365
3:45 – Rhythm – 1pt win – 11/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
4:20 – Magical Effect – 1pt win – 15/2 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John