Pontefract 2.00
By UK Flat / AW (Northern)
NORTHERN - Pontefract 2.00 Handicap - Class 5 - 6 furlongs - 11 run - Good to Soft
On Good or Good to Firm hare a low draw is an asset, on Soft or Heavy they tend to run up the slope to the Stands rail where the top of the camber means the better ground.
On Good to Soft it's possible they may split so we can play tactically to cover either option.
Round The Boards is a standing dish here and won this race last year off a mark of 56, its drawn 2 and off 55, may be regressing but never rule it out here. Gentle Ellen has had a 2 month break, it's not a concern as it has won off similar and was just left out of a selection at the last minute and one I see as the biggest danger to the selections. One More Dream is an uneasy favourite in my opinion up 3lbs for a win but not ideally suited to any sort of cut in the ground.
RHYTHM is drawn in stall 1 and provided that is not disadvantageous, looks well handicapped and a horse who tends to run best in Spring and Autumn so could be ready to win. DANDY SPIRIT is drawn in Stall 8 and is a Course and Distance winner who has won on soft and heavy conditions and runs off 63, a couple of pounds below most recent win mark and could well revive IF the draw is advantageous.
Tips (1) Rhythm / (2) Dandys Spirit