Racing
Pontefract Place 6 preview | 11th April
14.00 – Philip Grundy Rising 70 Apprentice Handicap – 1m4f
APPIER is unproven on soft ground but won five times last year and should be very competitive off this mark back on the turf. TIDAL STORM won over this distance on the all-weather last year and despite running poorly over hurdles last time, he ran well when fourth on soft ground at Newbury in 2021, so could get involved. I wouldn’t rule out a big performance from HIGHLIGHTER, who has run well twice on similar ground already, including on debut at Windsor last June and wasn’t disgraced on handicap debut at Doncaster last time. He is the potential improver in the field and has a fair chance should he build on that latest display.
Selections: APPIER, TIDAL STORM, HIGHLIGHTER
14.30 – Northern Commercials Iveco ‘S’ Way Novice Stakes – 6f
SNUGGLE has returned a beaten favourite in two of his five starts but he went close on soft ground last year in a better race when second at Haydock and that sort of form would be good enough to go close to winning this weakish race despite being more exposed than most. GLOBAL CRISIS didn’t look short of promise when fourth of 13 on debut at Beverley, where he was doing all of his best work at the finish and should be better suited to the longer trip here. He has the potential to give the favourite a lot to think about.
Selections: SNUGGLE, GLOBAL CRISIS
15.00 – Jamaican Flight Handicap – 2m2f
CHAMPAGNE CITY is well-treated based on past exploits and placed on his last two starts on the Flat last year. He goes well in the mud and returns to the turf on the Flat from a handy mark, so he could be a big player in what is a wide-open race. LAND OF WINTER has found life tough since winning at Nottingham off only a three pounds lower mark and will find this easier than when sixth in a stronger race here last time. He has gone well fresh in the past, so despite his big weight, he has the ability to fare well now having his sights lowered.
Selections: CHAMPAGNE CITY, LAND OF WINTER
15.30 – Who’ll Be The 1st Yorkshire Wonder Horse Handicap – 5f
With most of these making their reappearance, it is hard to pinpoint who will be ready but CLARENDON HOUSE signed off last season with a good second at Beverley and his record fresh reads well. He would be more effective on better ground but he comes out well at the weights and should be thereabouts. ARECIBO looked unlucky when marginally denied at Lingfield last time and he is another with a good record fresh. He has winning form under various conditions and is proven to be effective in pattern-class events when everything goes his way, so with a strong pace sure to be on offer, he has an excellent chance.
Selections: CLARENDON HOUSE, ARECIBO
16.00 – Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap – 6f
Brian Smart’s PROJECT BLACK ran a really good race on debut at York when coming from off the pace to be third and then opened his account at Redcar next time from the front. He was touched off into second when last seen and will make his handicap debut from a fair mark on his return. He should go very well. AMY SANTIAGO relished a fast pace when taking the spoils at Southwell two starts ago and while she couldn’t sustain that form when only sixth last time, the application of cheek-pieces could help her get back on track. She isn’t out of this from a lenient mark, so it’s possible she will make the frame.
Selections: PROJECT BLACK, AMY SANTIAGO
16.30 – British Stallion Studs EBF ‘High-Rise’ Maiden Stakes – 1m2f
CRYSTAL MARINER is bred to be smart and trainer Sir Michael Stoute has an impressive 31% strike-rate at this course, which bodes well for this debutant. This son of Sea The Stars could play a leading role, while KING SHARJA shaped promisingly when fifth at York in a higher-grade event and should improve for the step up in trip with more to offer.
Selections: CRYSTAL MARINER, KING SHARJA
