2.55pm Pontefract Tips & Betting Preview 09/10/2017

A good prize of over £11,000 has attracted a good quality field for this event. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: HEATONGRAD won by a wide margin with minimal effort last time with similar conditions underfoot and a penalty may not be enough to anchor him. The main danger may be the progressive The Grape Escape who won off a break last time.

1 THE GRAPE ESCAPE – Has achieved a decent level of form this year, most notably a half length defeat to subsequent Royal Ascot winner Atty Persse in the Esher Cup. He reappeared after three months off last time with a last gasp victory and should have plenty more to offer if handling the ground.

2 AREEN HEART – Beaten half a length at Ripon off this mark, but has been a bit below par since that run. He has, however, demonstrated in the past that he goes on soft ground and if returning to his form from earlier in the season he would have a solid each way chance.

3 ME TOO NAGASAKI – Had shaped like a step up to 10 furlongs would suit when a staying on second at Sandown, but the new trip seemed to stretch him when a four and a half length third at Goodwood last time. He had previously been progressive and this mark may not be beyond him over a mile.

4 MUSHAIREB – Won easily last time despite Jack Garritty losing his irons with over a furlong left to run. He handled soft ground nicely that day, travelling and quickening like a useful horse. Up six pounds here, but he may still be ahead of his mark and is one to consider.

5 HEATONGRAD – Absolutely bolted up when a very well backed favourite last time out at Epsom on very testing ground. He comes here under a six pound penalty which most likely leaves him ahead of the handicapper and he must be of interest here before he is reassessed.

6 MADE OF HONOUR – Won her maiden in good style, but the handicap mark of 78 looked very much beyond her when she failed to beat a rival last time out. That was also her first run on soft ground and it didn’t seem to suit – has a fair bit on here.

7 OUR CHARLIE BROWN – Winner of four races in his career and steps up to a mile for the first time today. He pulled very hard when third last time, however, and may struggle to last the distance if racing like that here again. Others have more appeal.

8 SHAMROKH – Hasn’t been in the best of form since switching from the Gosden yard and has been racing unsuccessfully recently over trips further than this. The tongue tie that was formerly used is now reapplied, yet he still has something to find.