Hi all,
A couple of poor days but not many points lost. In hindsight I got involved in a couple of races that I shouldn’t have.
Today I have three from Pontefract.
Looking at the weekend races I will be concentrating on a maximum of five races on Saturday and six on Sunday.
As for next week. It’s going to be busy from Wednesday onwards with four days of York’s Ebor Festival to look forward to and no doubt plenty of selections. I’m away for few days before York so there won’t be selections on Monday & Tuesday.
Pontefract
1:15 – Round The Island showed he hasn’t lost any enthusiasm for the sport when winning at Ripon two starts back. He’s 8lb higher now, has won off higher marks in the past and five of his career wins have come over C&D So although he might not be the most reliable of horses, he can never be ruled out here. Stall 5 is fair enough and I expect him to go close.
1pt win – Round The Island -12/1 @ Bet365
2:20 – Trainer James Given has a good record with his runners in Pontefract handicap in the past 5-years – 7 winners from 26 runners 27% +58.75 13 placed 50% (backing them all at Betfair SP would have produced an LSP of +87.19). He sets a bit of a poser here by saddling two in this sprint handicap.
Stone Soldier & Many A Star are his two runners. The first named will be suited by a return to 6f and would come in to serious contention should the going ease significantly before post time. The one I like though is Many A Star. Then 3-year-old showed the benefit of gelding operation when winning at Doncaster (good to firm) on his seasonal reappearance 20-days ago. He’s been raised 4lb for that success which doesn’t look too excessive and there could be more improvement from him.
1pt win – Many A Star – 6/1 @ Bet365
4:20 – The very much inform Sir Michael Stoute yard provides today’s final selection. Prince Imperial a winner of a Chelmsford maiden on his final juvenile start last season. Hampered, but beaten at the time, on his seasonal return Doncaster 45-days ago. He may have needed the run that day and steps up to 1m 4f for his handicap debut. Capable of better and trainer does well with these types.
1pt win – Prince Imperial – 8/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John