UK Horse Racing Tips: Pontefract

There was just a neck splitting STAG HORN and Herman Hesse when third and fourth respectively in a Goodwood maiden 12 days ago and that pair could fight it out for major honours this afternoon, with Archie Watson's charge shading the verdict. Dangeroffizz would need to improve dramatically but Mark Johnston saddles a couple of respected runners in Justified and Salamanca School, the latter showing up well on his debut at Ayr.
Prediction : 1st Stag Horn 2nd Herman Hesse 3rd Salamanca School

Today could be the day ASMUND breaks his duck. Karl Burke's charge has posted a number of solid efforts in defeat, including when touched off on soft ground first time out, and a repeat of his latest third-placed effort in a class 2 handicap at Ayr will make him extremely hard to beat. Three Coins ploughed through the mud to win a Thirsk novice event latest and warrants respect on her nursery return, while Alix James is another name to note in a competitive event.
Prediction : 1st Asmund 2nd Three Coins 3rd Alix James

Alotabottle has won three of his last four and looks sure to give another good account, while Barristan The Bold is respected following his length third in a class 2 handicap at Chester. Barossa Red is another in-form player with claims, but the vote goes to handicap debutant MODAKHAR. The Battle of Marengo gelding has done nothing but improve in three starts thus far, he appeared to love soft conditions when winning at Hamilton last time and could be underestimated by an opening mark of 83.
Prediction : 1st Modakhar 2nd Alotabottle 3rd Barristan The Bold

Only a neck separated Becky The Thatcher and FOREWARNING when the former scored over this C&D in June and they can fight out the finish again today. The winner hasn't raced since and although the latter is 1lb worse off with his conqueror today, Julia Brooke's charge has remained in fine form since and can make her match-fitness count. Bodacious Name is another track-and-trip winner and is no forlorn hope, but may also just need this after a break.
Prediction : 1st Forewarning 2nd Becky The Thatcher 3rd Bodacious Name

Be Kool got back on the winning trail in a Redcar seller over this trip 12 days ago but has no margin for error under top weight now back in a handicap and preference is for SALT WHISTLE BAY. Rae Guest's inmate struggled in a good contest at Newbury latest but has strong claims on his form before that and, with no worries about testing conditions, he could make the most of a sliding mark and drop in class. Vive La Difference also looks feasibly treated again and hinted his turn may be near with two fair efforts in defeat last month.
Prediction : 1st Salt Whistle Bay 2nd Vive La Difference 3rd Be Kool

RAMPANT LION wasn't beaten too far when sent off co-favourite for a similar event at Ayr last month and William Jarvis' four-year-old could prove popular once again off the same rating. Storm Ahead placed on the same card that day and is another to consider racing off a feasible mark, while it would be no surprise to see Rudy Lewis enjoy the return to this trip and the switch to turf.
Prediction : 1st Rampant Lion 2nd Storm Ahead 3rd Rudy Lewis

ART OF DIPLOMACY relished the soft underfoot conditions when stepping up to this distance with a win at Haydock last month and could thrive once again off a 5lb higher mark with the ground set to be testing once again. Grazeon Roy made a pleasing switch to the handicap ranks at Ayr and could have more to come in this sphere as he steps up in trip by half a mile, while consistent pair Lady Scatterley and Fantastic Ms Fox make plenty of each-way appeal.
Prediction : 1st Art Of Diplomacy 2nd Grazeon Roy 3rd Lady Scatterley

The experience of AL MUREIB could prove crucial here and the consistent Godolphin performer can build on his handy performance over course and distance from when last seen in July to get off the mark. Cathedral Street showed enough encouragement on debut at Beverley last month to suggest he could figure dropping back to a mile, while Wemyss Ware catches the eye on debut and is worthy of a market check.
Prediction : 1st Al Mureib 2nd Cathedral Street 3rd Wemyss Ware