3.10pm Pontefract Tips & Betting Preview 05/04/2016

IN SUMMARY: REFLEKTOR (6/1) came good with an all-the-way maiden success at Leicester in the autumn and is evidently well suited by a stiff 6f on soft ground. He is well drawn to attack from the front again here and gets the nod. Stamp Hill was strong in the closing stages when winning his 2yo maiden on soft ground at Chester and the uphill finish here may unlock further improvement. Dutch Mist will find this easier than some of the Group/Listed events she contested in the second half of last season and could also have a say.

1 Candelisa – Stayed on well for very creditable fifth in valuable sales race at Doncaster (6.5f, good) in September but was probably flattered by the way that race panned out and subsequent 16lb rise in the weights sets him a daunting task on today’s seasonal debut.

2 Explosive Power – Improved to win soft-ground maiden at Redcar (6f) in October and took another step forward when fifth in Listed event at Doncaster (6f, good to soft) a few days later; evidently copes well with underfoot ease but opening handicap mark of 91 demands more progress, and he’s drawn poorly today.

3 Haley Bop – Won her maiden at Redcar (6f, soft) last summer and was impressive when following-up on subsequent nursery debut at Hamilton (6f, good to soft); hit hard by the handicapper for that and posed no threat in Listed company on latest outing, but could easily have more to offer this year.

4 Dutch Mist – Won three times as a 2yo and just about held her own in Group/Listed company on final four juvenile starts; more exposed than several of today’s rivals but seems to handle soft ground and ought to find things a bit easier back in a handicap.

5 Flying Pursuit – Non-runner

6 Desert Ruler – 2-4 last season, the second win coming in 7f York nursery; current 3lb higher mark looks manageable but today’s drop back in trip may not be ideal and stall 10 also makes things difficult; effective on good to soft ground but untested on anything worse.

7 Reflektor – Made slow start to his career but displayed significant improvement when clearcut winner of Leicester maiden (6f, soft; made all) in October, his fourth start; drawn handily in stall 3 here and open to further progress in handicaps this year.

8 Ancient Astronaut – Kept on well to force dead-heat on debut at Ayr (6f, good to soft) last May but wasn’t seen again until finishing down the field in Newmarket sales race in October; well drawn here and remains unexposed but others are more persuasive.

9 Stamp Hill – Well equipped to handled slow ground and shaped as though this stiff track will suit when winning maiden at Chester (6f, soft) in September, his fifth start; from stalble that won this race in 2013 and 2015; one to consider.

10 Dodgy Bob – Looked a fairly useful early-season 2yo last spring but became disappointing afterwards and finished well down the field when fitted with cheekpieces for nursery debut in September; reappears with some searching questions to answer.

11 Baltic Raider – Improved upon low-key debut when winning Newcastle maiden (6f, good) in August; subsequent fourth on nursery debut at Haydock (6f, good to soft) was perfectly respectable but he’ll need to find something extra to win this from stall 11.

myracing Forecast Prices: 7/2 Reflektor, 4/1 Stamp Hill, 7/1 Explosive Power, Haley Bop, 8/1 Dutch Mist, 10/1 Candelisa, Desert Ruler, Ancient Astronaut, Baltic Raider, 20/1 Dodgy Bob