3.45pm Pontefract Tips & Betting Preview 14/08/2016

Pontefract stages a Listed sprint for fillies on Sunday and our betting tips focus on a 3yo who is likely to be suited by the uphill finish. Read our race preview for more details.

IN SUMMARY: Ridge Ranger has to carry a 7lb penalty for her front-running success in a Group3 event at York in July but she also ran an excellent race in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood last time and, from stall 3, is expected to make a very bold bid. However, there might be some value in LA RIOJA. The selection was 3l behind Ridge Ranger when third at York last month and isn’t weighted to overturn that form here, but does have a 5lb pull in the weights and might be seen to better effect on this stiff track, particularly if Mayfair Lady is keen to contest a strong early pace with Ridge Ranger. Priceless and Mehronissa are making good progress and also deserve consideration in a good race of its type.

1 Ridge Ranger – Produced excellent display of front-runner to win the Group 3 Summer Stakes at York (6f, good) last month; has to shoulder a 7lb penalty now back in Listed company but her seventh under a big weight in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood (6f, good to firm) last time was also a highly creditable performance and she’s well drawn to attack here; leading contender.

2 Imtiyaaz – Runner-up in a valuable handicap at York (5f, good) last summer and made pleasing return from absence when fourth in Nottingham Listed race (6f, good to firm) in May; probably good enough to claim some valuable “black type” at some stage but latest run was disappointing and others look stronger today.

3 Mehronissa – Boasts quite impressive 5-11 strike-rate after coming from off the pace to win a Class 3 handicap at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) nine days ago; takes on stronger opposition here but might still be improving and doesn’t have a huge amount to find; can’t be ruled out from the inside stall.

4 Pixeleen – Non-runner

5 Buying Trouble – Non-runner

6 Kassia – Won a C&D nursery in October and has also hit the target twice at Bath this season (5f/5.7f); didn’t get the best of runs when close second in big field at Glorious Goodwood (good to firm) last month and isn’t yet fully exposed, but improvement needed to trouble the principals here.

7 La Rioja – Lightly raced 3yo who escapes a penalty for her Group 3 success at Salisbury (6f, soft) in September; stayed on well for excellent fourth in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot (6f, good to soft) in June and last month’s Group 3 third to Ridge Ranger was also a pleasing effort; 5lb better with that rival here and will be suited by this stiff track; shortlisted.

8 Mayfair Lady – Made all in a valuable nursery at the York Ebor festival last summer (6f, good) and also landed a valuable prize from the front on seasonal reappearance over that C&D in June; that form puts her in the mix here but she was a disappointing favourite behind a couple of today’s rivals when back at York for a Group 3 event last month and is drawn wide.

9 Priceless –3yo who is yet to add to her 2yo maiden success but went very close in two valuable 6f Newmarket handicaps last month, both times against males on fast ground; certainly looks worth another crack at a Pattern race and needs to be taken seriously.

10 Raaqy – Made pleasing seasonal debut when second of five in Ascot conditions race (1m, good to soft) in April but finished down the field over that trip in two Listed events last month; interesting to see whether sprinting shows her in a better light, but she has too much to prove at present.

myracing Forecast Prices: 3/1 Ridge Ranger, 7/2 La Rioja, 4/1 Priceless, 5/1 Mayfair Lady, 7/1 Mehronissa, 10/1 Kassia, 16/1 Imtiyaaz, 20/1 Raaqy