UK Horse Racing Tips: Pontefract

LOST MY SOCK will have learnt plenty from his racecourse debut when third at Newcastle, where finishing fast once the penny dropped. Tim Easterby's colt might just have the edge over some interesting newcomers which include Zaman Jameel, whose dam is an unraced sister to a Hong Kong Group 1 winner, and Escape Route, a 50,000gns purchase at Tattersalls Book 2 in October.
Prediction : 1st Lost My Sock 2nd Zaman Jameel 3rd Escape Route

BOWMAN sets the standard on his third at Lingfield earlier in the month and Mark Johnston's colt could put that experience to good use with the majority of his rivals making their debut. Airflow shaped as though he would benefit from a stiffer test of stamina when fifth over 6f at Newcastle and he can run well, along with Highland Dandy, who sports a visor on his first start.
Prediction : 1st Bowman 2nd Airflow 3rd Highland Dandy

MERAAS accounted for a useful field when winning at Kempton 13 days ago and that performance suggests that his opening mark of 91 should be workable. Majestic Sands had been off the track for a long time prior to his defeat at Newcastle in January and it is too soon to be writing him off. Others to consider are Troubador, Corvair and Romero.
Prediction : 1st Meraas 2nd Majestic Sands 3rd Romero

RETURNOFTHEMAC (second) finished one and a half lengths ahead of Splinter (third) at Newcastle 11 days ago and, despite having 6lb to find on official figures, he is fancied to confirm that form. Drawn better in stall four, the selection could improve for the switch to turf, and can take this before switching to handicaps. Alchimista wasn't disgraced when seventh of 20 in an above-average Newmarket maiden on debut in October and she will enjoy this additional furlong and stiff finish.
Prediction : 1st Returnofthemac 2nd Splinter 3rd Alchimista

Mythical Madness landed a late gamble when successful at Yarmouth on Wednesday, though a 4lb penalty makes life tougher and a draw in stall 12 won't exactly help matters either. River Dawn is unbeaten so far in 2020 after two starts and is interesting back on turf off 8lb higher than last time, but track form counts for plenty here and that brings C&D winner BILLY ROBERTS into calculations. The seven-year-old has a perfect draw in stall two and can be competitive off this mark.
Prediction : 1st Billy Roberts 2nd River Dawn 3rd Mythical Madness

Ralph Beckett won this in 2018 and holds leading claims once again with ANTONIA DE VEGA, who was beaten less than a length when fourth in a German Group 1 when last seen. Stablemate Nette Rousse can't be discounted dropping back in trip in first-time blinkers, but the main danger may come in the shape of Roger Varian's Specialise, who is well worth her place in this contest having won well at Newmarket in October. Eva Maria wasn't disgraced in a Group 2 at HQ recently and is also respected stepping up to 1m4f.
Prediction : 1st Antonia De Vega 2nd Specialise 3rd Eva Maria

MY GIRL MAGGIE gave a good account of herself in a hot Newmarket event earlier this month and it is interesting that she now turns her attention to handicapping for the in-form Mark Johnston. She could take some pegging back from the front and can see off the lightly-raced Nikolayeva, who steps up in trip following some encouraging opening performances for Mick Appleby. Revolver is worth a market check on his first outing in handicap company, with Baltic Wolve also respected in first-time blinkers.
Prediction : 1st My Girl Maggie 2nd Nikolayeva 3rd Revolver

CALEVADE returned a beaten favourite when fourth over 2m at Newcastle in February but the drop back in distance at this stiff track should suit Ben Haslam's charge, who is taken to get back to winning ways. Urban Spirit rattled the crossbar behind Nearly There at Newcastle on his last start in March and is another dropping in distance to consider. Ember's Glow and Feebi are viable contenders for the minor money.
Prediction : 1st Calevade 2nd Urban Spirit 3rd Feebi

GOING NATIVE rattled off a hat-trick on the all-weather at Southwell earlier in the year and it will be interesting to see if she can build on those performances now moving back onto turf. Celtic Artisan kept on well into fourth on the all-weather at Newcastle two weeks ago and is expected to strip fitter for that outing and improve for this step back up in trip. Greengage is rated only 3lb higher than when scoring at Newcastle in January and is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Going Native 2nd Celtic Artisan 3rd Greengage

EMBRACE THE MOMENT ran on well in the closing stages when third over the extended 1m1f here in February and is entitled to improve again now granted this extra yardage. Glorious Dane is worth a market check now returning to the Flat as he ran well over hurdles when last sighted at Catterick in December and is a 1m4f winner on the level. Canasta steps up from 1m and has place possibilities, as does David Barron's handicap debutant Sorbonne.
Prediction : 1st Embrace The Moment 2nd Glorious Dane 3rd Canasta