UK Horse Racing Tips: Pontefract

XCELENTE (first) accounted for both Il Maestro (fourth) and Kidda (fifth) at Thirsk 18 days ago and could confirm that form despite carrying a 6lb penalty. He looked by far the most straightforward in that contest, a quality that could prove essential on this undulating track. A low draw will also help Mark Johnston's charge and he can land this before competing in some of the leading juvenile sprint races this summer. She Looks Like Fun needs a market check on debut for a yard that can ready one.
Prediction : 1st Xcelente 2nd Kidda 3rd Il Maestro

Newmarket-based trainers have won six of the last seven renewals of this maiden and that dominance looks set to continue with William Haggas and DESERT ICON fancied to take some beating. Fourth on debut in the Wood Ditton last month, the 110,000-euros yearling is a half-brother to two winners and appears set to enjoy this step up in distance. Global Express failed to stay 12 furlongs at Ripon recently and may appreciate this new trip, while Selino is one to note for a yard that had a first-time-out three-year-old winner at Doncaster last week.
Prediction : 1st Desert Icon 2nd Global Express 3rd Selino

The form of IDEAL CANDY's second behind Kylie Rules at Beverley was boosted when the latter scored again at the same track a week later, and the four-year-old won't get too many better chances than this to claim a victory this season. The four-year-old has a plum draw in stall one and, having been dropped 1lb for that effort last time, looks poised to go in sooner rather than later. Seaborough outran 25-1 odds to finish third at Redcar recently, while Jo's Girl has now dropped to a tempting handicap mark on her second run since a wind operation.
Prediction : 1st Ideal Candy 2nd Seaborough 3rd Jos Girl

MOUNT ARARAT failed to land a gamble when third at Beverley two weeks ago, but he sets a fair form standard after finishing fourth in a French Listed race last summer and has been located a great opening here by Karl Burke. Jonathan Fisher's 7lb claim can give the four-year-old a helping hand and the pair can prove too strong for Mutarakez, who has only won one of his last 30 starts but that was this race 12 months ago, and Kripke, who shaped well at Redcar last month following a 338-day absence.
Prediction : 1st Mount Ararat 2nd Mutarakez 3rd Kripke

Cale Lane needs a market check on stable debut for Julie Camacho off a fair handicap mark, while Round The Island made a pleasing return to action at this track 16 days ago when fifth over an insufficient trip. The percentage call is to go with HIGHLY SPRUNG, who is a three-time course winner and shaped well on his turf return here recently when third. The selection will be better suited by this extra furlong, while a draw in stall one is a further positive towards his already strong claims.
Prediction : 1st Highly Sprung 2nd Round The Island 3rd Cale Lane

LADY CALCARIA accounted for some of these when making a winning handicap debut over this trip at Ripon last month. The daughter of Mayson remains unexposed and a 6lb rise in the ratings may not be enough to stop her from taking this contest as well. Staycation and Fume chased home the selection on that occasion and could do so once again, while the recent Redcar winner Ascot Dreamer is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Lady Calcaria 2nd Staycation 3rd Fume

NIBRAS AGAIN was not beaten far at all when finishing second in a similar event at Ripon last month and he can be expected to go one better. Foxtrot Knight failed to reward favourite backers over C&D last time out but he has to be respected based on his previous form, while Musharrif and Zapper Cass are others who could go well in a wide-open event.
Prediction : 1st Nibras Again 2nd Foxtrot Knight 3rd Musharrif