Pontefract 2.32 Handicap - Class 5 - 1 mile 4 furlongs - 10 run - Going Good

 

A trappy little race over this stiff 12 furlongs with a steep uphill climb off a right handed bend.

 

At the top of the market the wonderfully named Letmeseethecolts will be trying to do that and beat them and she has a very solid form profile but at around 3/1 she doesn't represent sufficient win only confidence for me to suggest a win bet. She will surely be in contention and I prefer her to second favourite Detroit lion whose best has been on the AW tracks so far and this stiff climbing may or may not see the horse improve on turf, it will need to on known form. Ribbe River steadily improved when upped in trip last season winning its last 2 races but it may need this run and may struggle off an inflated mark of 68.

 

A couple at bigger odds caught my eye and I would not put anyone off a small e/w side bet on VALUE ADDED at 33-40/1 the horse is fit from the AW and Hurdling, and its best Turf run was on Good to Firm staying on over 10 furlongs so not impossible to see if use fitness to run a big race at big Odds.

 

I'm most keen though on VAMPIRE SLAYER who is well handicapped on two Flat Turf runs last Spring, a preference for softer ground is a slight concern but there should be a good covering of Spring grass here and they seem to have watered well based on the Going stick reports. (Northern)

 

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Navan 3.40 Handicap - 1 mile 6 furlongs - 12 run Good - Good to Firm in Places

 

We know that this is a testing left handed track with a long run to the line so stamina and at this stage of the season fitness are big assets. Many come from Hurdling or the AW at Dundalk so fitness for some is more certain. 

 

At the top of the market both Billie Ferchette who carries a 5lb penalty for an AW win last time and Imarajan who is Hurdles fit and had one decent Flat run on turf at The Curragh last Autumn look a bit short in the market at around 4/1. I don't think either is a win only bet worth taking a chance on nor e/w value.

 

At very long odds in a generally tight market i would not be at all surprised to see Vicergent, a Course and Distance winner in October 2023, but barely seen since, improve for this run and he may be one to TRACK onwards.

 

I was really taken with 3 at decent backable e/w prices and my preferred pair would be THE TRUANT a Course and Distance placed runner off a mark of 62 and a winner off a mark of 65 last Spring, fit from Hurdling and I think over-priced in the early betting. SCOTT LANG is also worth an e/w poke to enhanced places a staying on 4th over Course and Distance last season suggests a bold run today. He was just preferred to Tudor Manor who had solid form off marks in the low 60's last season, runs off an inflated mark of 72 here but a 7lbs Claim does bring him into range of competitiveness. (MG)