Windsor was abandoned over the weekend, but no problems
expected at Pontefract where the ground was described as soft yesterday ahead
of today's eight-race card which has a noon start.
Sea Trout Reach (1.00) has a 5lbs pull with Dashing Roger for
the half-length he was behind that rival at Newmarket back in August and I feel
this stiff mile will suit the William Haggas-trained three-year-old. Richard
Kingscote was in the plate when the selection stayed on at one pace at Haydock
last time and he keeps the ride this afternoon.
Tom Collins is well handicapped on his best form but finished behind
Dashing Roger and the selection last time. A market move would be worth noting
with the David Elsworth yard showing signs of a revival.
Hydros (2.30) went to Doncaster for his debut with a big
reputation and it was perhaps disappointing that this Frankel colt couldn't
overhaul the penalised Magical Morning who was given a wonderful ride from the
front by an inspired Frankie Dettori. That effort was on fast ground and many
of Frankel's progeny prefer more cut in the ground. I will be disappointed if
he does not go one better today.
Yukon (3.30) caught my eye when fifth at Redcar on debut but
failed to build on that effort when third at Hamilton last time. The selection
makes his handicap debut this afternoon and, although he was drawn out on the
wing in stall 11, he is taken to defy what could potentially be a lenient mark.
The last fence will be omitted at Stratford this afternoon which
means there will be a near three-furlong run in on the chase course.
Cherry Cola (1.45) was taken off her feet on fast ground at
Plumpton last month but she was staying on when coming down at the last. I
think she will find today's soft ground more to her liking and is taken to
reward each way support in a race where many of the main protagonists are
unproven on the ground.
Fort Gabriel (2.45) has not been at his best so far this
term but he has dropped to a favourable mark and I hope he can land the
conditional jockey's event. The selection has run well on soft ground in the
past and has won under today's jockey – good to soft – at Ludlow. Like many in
the field he is unproven on heavy ground, but he should be coming to peak
fitness and the stable of David Bridgewater had a welcome winner at Huntingdon
last week.
Zoltan Varga (3.15) could hardly be described as a serial
winner having taken twenty runs to break his maiden tag, but he is taken to
build on last month's Fontwell victory from a 7lbs higher mark. The selection
enjoys soft ground and may have more to offer with this intermediate trip of 2m
3f looking ideal.
At Wolverhampton Old Friend (7.00) can finally get his head
in front despite being 3lbs higher than when running a personal best over this
evening's C&D when runner up last time. Luke Morris keeps the ride on Ed
Dunlop's three-year-old who may have run into a well handicapped rival last
time.
