3.20pm Pontefract Tips & Betting Preview 23/10/2017

3.20pm Pontefract tips for Monday’s Class 4 contest raced over 1m 2f for three year-olds and older. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: This is an open handicap and the vote goes to SILVERY MOON. He’s well-handicapped off a mark of 80 and a reproduction of his run at Haydock last month could see him home in-front today. Missscarlett is an interesting sort off bottom weight making her handicap debut whilst Purple Rock should go well.

1 SAVE THE BEES – Has posted some solid efforts this season, recording a couple of victories and placed efforts. A mark of 85 looks high enough now although the slight drop in grade will aid his chances on ground that should be fine.

2 FAITHFUL CREEK – Has the habit of bumping into a few too good on multiple occasions but he’s only one pound above his last winning mark and Adam Kirby is a positive booking. Stall 1 is an ideal draw and he’s likely to attempt to make all.

3 ROYAL SHAHEEN – C&D winner in this grade on Soft ground last month. He’s guaranteed to go well in these conditions and he remains fairly treated off a mark of 82 so there are reasons to be positive. Stall 12 will make life slightly more difficult though.

4 TUFF ROCK – Makes his first start since a gelding operation last month and that should have straightened him out. He may just need this run but a mark of 85 should remain within his reach and Jamie Spencer keeps the partnership intact today. Interesting sort.

5 AARDWOLF – Hasn’t been able to kick on from a promising start to his 3yo campaign although he’s now 5lbs below his last winning mark which makes him of interest. The drop back to 1m 2f is a positive move but all of his wins remain over 7f and shorter.

6 BAMBER BRIDGE – Sole success came on his maiden debut at Hamilton last summer. He’s run with credit in some decent enough handicaps of late although he doesn’t appear particularly well handicapped and there may be better value elsewhere.

7 SILVERY MOON – Thoroughly exposed sort but he usually runs his race in this grade and he appears well-handicapped off a mark of 80. He placed in a Class 3 Haydock handicap last month and a reproduction of that effort would see him go close here.

8 TRENDSETTER – Drops to Class 4 company for the first time this season and he’s yet to start shorter than 28/1 in 7 starts since last October. He won a Class 6 claimer back in October of last year and whilst sliding through the weights, remains with plenty to prove.

9 PURPLE ROCK – Seeks his first win of the year having failed to improve on an excellent second of 16 on his seasonal reappearance at York. He’s 3lbs below that mark today and he looks well-treated now back onto his last winning mark. Respected.

10 RASHFORD’S DOUBLE – Remains a tricky sort having produced some mixed form this season. He’s failed to win since completing a hat-trick of wins last season but he’s now just 2lbs above that last winning mark. Races at 1m 2f for the first time today.

11 PIRATE LOOK – Wasn’t beaten far on his first run following a gelding operation earlier in the year. He remains lightly-raced although he’s yet to gain a win in handicap company and more is needed off a mark of 78 today. Improvement is still a possibility.

12 DWIGHT D – Sole success came in a weak maiden at Wolverhampton back in January 2016 and he’s raced infrequently since. He’s been well-beaten recently and whilst down another 3lbs today, he remains with major questions to answer. Opposed.

13 MISSCARLETT – Twice-raced filly who broke her maiden at the second attempt over C&D last time out. She will enjoy conditions today and a mark of 73 could be generous given the style of her first victory. Has to enter calculations today and ranks as the most interesting runner in this open contest.