Pontefract host their first meeting of the year on ground drying out all the time and likely to be good by the time they go to post.
We had a 100/1 winner of the valuable 10f maiden twelve months ago but the race sees the first runner of the season from the stable of Sir Michael Stoute courtesy of Dannyday (2.30) who finished just in front of likely market rival Secateur when they both made their debut at Doncaster in a decent maiden last September. The market should tell us if the Stoute team are forward enough in their work but this is a maiden which should throw up a number of winners during the months to come.
Richard Fahey saddled the winner of the 3-year-old 6f handicap a couple of seasons ago and his twice-raced Grandad’s World (3.00) is ridden by excellent apprentice Jack Garrity who is very good value for his 5lbs claim. The selection won over 5f here first time out as a juvenile and, although his draw isn’t the best, he must go close in a very competitive sprint.
Surprise Vendor won the stayers’ event 12 months ago at 20/1 and is back for more this year but I think Montaff (3.30) can run a big race for Richard Guest; the selection will appreciate the drying ground and runs off a career low mark. He is likely to get outpaced but is a dour stayer who might enjoy passing beaten rivals and is fit from a moderate season over jumps.
The feature race is the 10f handicap and Gothic is the sort that Stoute improves with age and he would be very interesting if the market spoke in his favour. Both wins have been with plenty of cut, however, and Astronereus (4.00) is a fascinating contender from the yard of Amanda Perrett.
The recommendation was unlucky not to win on Shergar Cup day and finished over a length in front of Gothic (2lbs better off today) also at Ascot on his final start of the season. This is a fascinating handicap but one that I can see going to one of the 4-year-old with preference for the Sussex raider.
In the week when Tiger Woods makes yet another comeback at Augusta on Thursday Where’s Tiger (5.00) might be a topical winner for Jedd O’Keefe having run well when runner up on his seasonal reappearance at Doncaster last month. With that run under his belt he must go close and this uphill finish should suit as he was staying on all the way to the line at Town Moor last time.
The ground is drying out all the time in Fairyhouse who play host to the final day of their Easter meeting. Mallowney (3.55) only has two opponents in the Grade 2 Chase over the extended two miles and cannot be opposed given he receives 2lbs from Twinlight who looks his main opposition. The selection has won his last two in the manner of an improving chaser and he wouldn’t have looked out of place in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham although his winning form is on ground with plenty of cut.
At Lingfield Legend’s Gate (2.40) can go one better than when second at Kempton back in October over a mile and this step up in trip should suit this son of Derby winner New Approach whose trainer, Charlie Appleby, saddled a treble at the big Good Friday meeting.
Oriental Splendour (3.40) will get another furlong this season but as long as there is pace in the race (Hills And Dales made all to win his Maiden) the Roger Charlton runner can cut them down late inside the final furlong.
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