3.40pm Pontefract Tips & Betting Preview 19/06/2016

IN SUMMARY: No prizes for originality here but it’s hard to get away from from the progressive 4yo BARSANTI (6/5), who impressed when completing a hat-trick in a valuable York handicap last month and is fancied to take today’s rise in class in his stride. Sweeping Up (4/1) ran a big race from the front when second in a Group 3 at Haydock last month but might have been slightly flattered by the way that race panned out and don’t be surprised if Lustrous (15/2), who was soundly beaten in sixth that day, has benefited from that outing and gets much closer to her here. Elidor (7/1) fluffed his lines when favourite for a York Listed event last month but is certainly worth persevering with at this level. Loving Things (10/1) also disappointed on her first crack at Listed company and she makes her stable debut after a 254-day break, but she remains lightly raced and can’t be ruled out.

1 Barsanti – Well bred and rapidly progressive 4yo who is 3-3 since switched to handicaps this year, the latest win gained in valuable Class 2 event at York (1m4f, good to firm) last month; ready for a crack at this level now and open to any amount of further progress; commands respect.

2 Captain Morley – Ended 2015 campaign with ready success in Class 2 handicap at Doncaster (1m4f, good) and won’t be that far away if matching that performance here but was beaten about 54l when very disappointing in York Listed event last month and now has a point to prove.

3 Duretto – Non-runner

4 Elidor – Won a good-quality Newmarket handicap (1m6f, good to firm) in May 2015 and was beaten less than a length when fifth over that trip at Glorious Goodwood; ran poorly when favourite for York Listed event on last month’s seasonal debut but can make his mark at this level if back on song.

5 Hit The Jackpot – Suffered interference when midfield in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) and can be rated better than the bare form; also suited by 1m4f and probably won’t be disgraced but looks fully exposed as a 7yo and is likely to find some of these too strong.

6 Loving Things – Lightly raced 4yo who went close on her handicap debut at Haydock (1m2f, soft) for John Gosden in September; not seen disappointing in a Newmarket Listed race the following month but still has plenty of potential; interesting to see what Luca Cumani can do with her.

7 Lustrous – Failed to win last year but was excellent second in the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock (1m4f, good); behind Sweeping Up and a bit disappointing when only sixth over that C&D on last month’s seasonal debut but might have needed that run and best form puts her firmly in the mix.

8 Monaleen – Ran respectably in two Listed events on Polytrack in the autumn (1m5f/1m4f) but needs to better that form to pose a significant threat here and was soundly beaten when a 100-1 shot at this level at Goodwood on her latest outing in April.

9 Sweeping Up – Gained more recent of her two wins in a Class 4 handicap but has acquitted herself well in Pattern company on a few occasions and seemed well suited by the switch to front-running tactics when a very creditable second in a Haydock Group 3 (1m4f, good) last month; big player.

10 Yarrow – From an excellent family that includes 2,000 Guineas/King George winner Golan; created good impression when winning Leicester maiden (1m4f, good to firm) by 5l in May 2015 but has struggled to land a significant blow in three subsequent Listed events and needs to improve.

myracing Forecast Prices: 15/8 Barsanti, 4/1 Sweeping Up, 5/1 Lustrous, 6/1 Elidor, 8/1 Loving Things, 12/1 Yarrow, 14/1 Captain Morley, Hit The Jackpot, 50/1 Moneleen