After a short break, we’re back with another set of placepot picks for this afternoon’s racing, and in a break from tradition – we’re venturing to the flat!
Pontefract host their first fixture of the new season, and there is plenty of competitive action to get stuck into, so it is there we head. If you’re not too keen on Pontefract though, don’t worry as Lingfield and Chelmsford City host all-weather cards and Fairyhouse’s fixture later this afternoon offers the chance for jumps enthusiasts to get stuck into another placepot bonanza.
Leg One: Marciano
Mick Appleby will be hoping he can carry his all-weather form onto turf as he saddles up Marciano in the opener, and the improving five-year-old looks a decent bet to hit the frame. He has been kept busy over winter with three runs on the all-weather, and his last victory was eye-catchingly impressive, as he strode well clear under Jane Elliot.
The seven-pound claimer retains the ride this afternoon and the son of Pivotal looks primed for another big effort. He has an advantage over rivals who are likely to need a run after a lengthy break from the track and everything points towards a bold showing from the front.
Leg Two: Secateur
John Gosden sends Secateur to contest an interesting maiden in leg two, and it is hard to ignore the three-year-olds obvious claims. After finishing close behind Commemorative in a hot Doncaster maiden, the son of Danehill Dancer was well-backed when a staying-on fourth behind Mohatem at HQ.
He lost little in defeat on his final start, as he went down by jjust a neck from an enterprising Richard Hughes ride on Shadow Rock at Goodwood, with the pair pulling a decent way clear of the remainder. A repeat of this run will make him tough to beat, and he looks set to make the first two in this seven-runner race.
Leg Three: Grandad’s World
Richard Fahey has started the season well, and he saddles the intriguing Grandad’s World in leg three at Pontefract. The colt already has course success to his name as he ran out a ready winner over a furlong shorter on debut and he must have been showing the right signals at home, as he was allowed to contest the £300,000 2yo Stakes at Doncaster on his final start.
He wasn’t disgraced when ninth behind stable-mate Bond’s Girl, and if he can replicate that effort again he will be difficult to beat. He is open to any amount of improvement and Jack Garrity’s five-pound claim further enhances his chances.
Leg Four: Scrafton
Plenty of the horses taking their place in leg four have been kept busy over winter, with many enjoying campaigns over the sticks. One of these is the intriguing Scrafton, who was last seen finishing a fair third behind subsequent Triumph Hurdle runner-up, Top Notch. The four-year-old had previously been placed behind the useful Seamour and then Medicine Hat.
He arrives with the benefit of race-fitness and the consistent sort looks an interesting contender now dropped back to the level. He has been running well when last given a crack in the sphere, with his last four efforts resulting in two victories and two runner-up finishes. At a decent price, he looks the one to hopefully hit the frame and see backers into the penultimate leg.
Leg Five: Goodwood Mirage
Another who has been kept busy over hurdles, is Goodwood Mirage, who gets the nod in leg five. The five-year-old has proved slightly frustrating over the obstacles, failing to build on tremendous promise shown when landing a competitive hurdle in fine style early last year. He has shown glimpses of promise but his jumping has caused slight issues so reverting him back to the level could easily bring about plenty of improvement.
He blundered badly at Cheltenham after racing keenly at the Festival, but he will arrive fairly fresh with the benefit of race-fitness. Jamie Spencer is an eye-catching jockey booking and it would be no surprise to see him outrun his massive price.
Leg Six: Bonds Choice
The placepot at Pontefract is likely to pay a nice amount, so if you have made it through to the finale, excitement will be well and truly building. For us, the vote goes to Bonds Choice, who just about shades the verdict from Tohfa thanks to Richard Fahey’s fantastic form.
Only one pound separates the pair on official ratings, but the Fahey’s filly looks open to plenty of improvement and is likely to be ahead in her preparation. She outran her odds when a close third in a hot York maiden on her final start back in in June, and if turning up in the same mood she is likely to go well over the six-furlong trip.
