Fine Form
Santorini Star PO – 3.40
has been well placed by William Haggas to win four of her six races to date and this looks the right time to step her up in class for the Pontefract Castle Fillies’ Stakes.
A field of seven has been declared for the Listed contest, but none of them have a rating over 100, suggesting it will not be the deepest race of its type run this season and Santorini Star is actually just 1lb off being top rated.
Following wins at Kempton and Lingfield last season she ended the campaign with a below-par effort in the Winter Oaks. She has progressed again this season, though, winning a decent little race at Brighton before impressing at Goodwood last time out.
Barely a meeting at Pontefract goes by without a long-distance race and the two and a quarter miles should suit
Almudena PO – 4.15
in the Moor Top Farm Shop Hemsworth Pontefract Cup Handicap.
Her pedigree is laden with stamina and as a Kirsten Rausing home-bred, it is no surprise she is by Study Of Man.
This will be the furthest she has tackled and Sir Mark Prescott has reached for first-time blinkers which could spark her back to life.
Partisan Hero PO – 4.50
won a high-quality handicap at the Derby meeting so should be able to defy a a 3lb rise in the Sunpak Potatoes Handicap.
David Loughnane’s sprinter just held on from Golden Mind in a valuable race having made all the running and it would have been tough on him had he been caught.
This does not look as competitive so despite the higher mark, he remains the one to beat.
At Hexham
Benny Nahar Road HX – 2.48
can follow up a recent Southwell win in the Diana & Malcolm Pearce 50th Wedding Anniversary Handicap Chase.
Outlandish FF – 3.30
ran well at Nottingham and can get off the mark in the Trade Centre Wales Maiden Stakes at Ffos Las for Charlie Fellowes.
The Calyx gelding took a big step forward from his debut when beaten less than a length but that was always likely and he was struck into not once but twice on his first run.
After such a nasty experience it is to his credit that he came out next time to run so well and had a positive experience.
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