Six runners have been declared for the feature race on Wednesday’s Pontefract card and our betting tips focus on a horse dropping in class after a fine run at Glorious Goodwood. Read our race preview for the full lowdown.
IN SUMMARY: The two Michael Dods-trained runners, Hernandoshideaway and Hardstone, lurk on dangerous handicap marks and the former, who won this race in 2015, will be greatly feared if strong in the betting. However, it’s hard to get away from STARS OVER THE SEA, who is unlikely to be gifted an uncontested lead but was in the front rank throughout when placed in a very competitive 1m2f event at Glorious Goodwood last week and competes off the same mark here. Mukhayyam is also in good form and probably won’t be far away.
1 Stars Over The Sea – Made all for comfortable success at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) last month and now makes quick reappearance after very creditable third off today’s mark in valuable contest at Glorious Goodwood; yet fully to convince over 1m4f but still afforded plenty of respect.
2 Hernandoshideaway – Won this race last year off a 1lb higher mark but has generally been very disappointing since then; took step back in the right direction when seventh at Chester (1m4f, good) last month and might have been targeted at this event, but it takes a leap of faith to support him.
3 Hardstone – Back on turf with very good effort when close third at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) in May but has finished down the field all three subsequent outings; contested hot races on first two occasions and now been given a chance by the handicapper, but has some questions to answer.
4 Blue Hussar – Gave very good account when fourth in competitive Class 2 event at Ripon (1m4f, good) last month but subsequent 1lb nudge up the weights not helpful and he may find today’s ground a bit too lively; others make more appeal.
5 Jam Session – Went close in a Listed bumper on heavy ground in January and comfortably made winning Flat debut in May, at Lingfield (11.5f, good); had to settle for midfield finish when switched to a handicap at Doncaster (14.5f, good to soft), though, and this will be the fastest ground he has encountered; now sports cheekpieces.
6 Mukhayyam – Evidently suited by a step up to middle-distance trips in recent months and comes here after going very close at Carlisle (1m3f, good to soft) ten days ago; runs off the same mark today and will be fine on the faster ground; needs to be taken very seriously.
myracing Forecast Prices: Evs Stars Over The Sea, 9/2 Mukhayyam, 5/1 Jam Session, 6/1 Blue Hussar, 8/1 Hernandoshideaway, 14/1 Hardstone