7.30pm Pontefract Tips & Betting Preview 26/05/2017

This is a Class 2 conditions event over 6 furlongs, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: It should pay to stick with those who have already raced in this. INVIOLABLE SPIRIT ran a nice race in a Class 2 conditions event last time out and he should do better now stepped up in trip to 6 furlongs. Richard Fahey has an excellent 21% strike rate at Pontefract and he can better that record here with this son of Zebedee. Rufus King could give him the most to think about although he may want further than this and Mark Johnston’s yard hasn’t been in stunning form of late.

1 HAVANA STAR – Did well to score on debut at Beverley earlier this month and whilst that was a much weaker affair, he should improve plenty for that success. He hung left in the finish and had been outpaced early on but that run should have ironed out a few of those problems and this step up in trip looks ideal. He carries a penalty in this stronger race but he deserves respect here with plenty more to come.

2 INVIOLABLE SPIRIT – Ran a nice race to win on debut in April and he wasn’t beaten far in a similar race to this over the minimum trip. He couldn’t quite go the pace of the winner but that runner has gone on to be aimed at Listed contests and he should improve for this extra distance with more experience under his belt. Richard Fahey has a 21% strike rate at Pontefract which is impressive and he’s likely to be popular here today.

3 JASI – Another debutante winner which came in a weak Southwell Novice Stakes. He stepped up on that effort to finish second of eight at Pontefract earlier this month in a Class 4 Novice Stakes race and whilst the form isn’t bad, it’s not quite the level required for this race. Having said that, he should improve for this extra distance given he’s by Kodiac and he’s hard to write off for a stable in good form of late.

4 CITY GUEST – Finished last of six at Yarmouth earlier this month over 5 furlongs having missed the break and never been on terms. He will naturally improve for that run but he’s hard to make a case for with virtually no form to his name and he’s likely to find a couple of his opponents too tough on today’s terms. The yard have been quiet of late, without a winner in the past fortnight and others are preferred.

5 RUFUS KING – Ran a fine race on debut to finish fourth of thirteen at Newcastle on the All-Weather. He’s turned out quickly and stepped up in grade which is an interesting move and this son of Iffraaj will probably want further than 6 furlongs in time. The stable are operating at a moderate 7% strike rate in the past fortnight and he’s worth close attention in the betting in this now making his second career start.

6 SITUATION – £21,000 purchase as a yearling and he’s out of a mare that won over 6 furlongs as a 2yo. She went on to race in Group company and whilst she couldn’t quite match that level, it bodes well for Richard Guest’s runner given that she’s produced some fairly decent types. He’s likely to need his first run and he’s already been gelded which is a negative so it may pay to look elsewhere.

7 SQUIRRELHEED – Second runner in this for Richard Guest and another racecourse debutante. He was a £20,000 purchase and he’s out of a mare that won just one race from 32 starts which came in a maiden at the end of her 2yo campaign. That doesn’t exactly inspire confidence and her progeny have been average sorts so he’s another that’s probably best watched although market support would be significant.