UK Horse Racing Tips: Pontefract

ANCIENT TIMES should be all the wiser for the experience gained when third on debut at York behind a pair who had the benefit of previous experience under their belt. Kevin Ryan's charge has bagged a workable draw and is taken to strike second time out. Secret Handsheikh is penalised for his last-time-out victory at Bath but can fight it out with Ballintoy Harbour, who shaped promisingly on debut at Thirsk, for the silver medal.
Prediction : 1st Ancient Times 2nd Secret Handsheikh 3rd Ballintoy Harbour

KEEPING SECRETS ran a race full of promise when third over this trip on debut at York and is expected to put the experience gained to good use to strike second time out. Meu Amor and Three Hat Day are similarly expected to step up on encouraging debut efforts and could take closer order. The pick of the newcomers could be Richard Fahey's Waitingonanalibi, any money for whom would be interesting.
Prediction : 1st Keeping Secrets 2nd Meu Amor 3rd Three Hat Day

KNIGHTCAP shades the verdict representing last year's winning trainer. Her last couple of performances have been encouraging and, unlike a lot of her main rivals, she has a handy draw in stall four. Epeius comfortably justified favouritism at Ayr but stall 11 makes life tricky for him, likewise Foreshore, who was touched off at Doncaster but is stuck out in box nine here. From further in, Yukon Mission and Inexes could make their presence felt.
Prediction : 1st Knightcap 2nd Yukon Mission 3rd Inexes

ELECTRIC MISTRESS was joined on the line when dead-heating at Thirsk on her second outing and Karl Burke's filly is open to further improvement making her handicap debut. She only found the hugely progressive Art Power too strong on debut at Newcastle so a mark of 72 appears workable. Jordan Electrics went up 4lb for a recent success at Ayr and he warrants respect along with Redcar winner Lincoln Gamble.
Prediction : 1st Electric Mistress 2nd Jordan Electrics 3rd Lincoln Gamble

OAKENSHIELD probably found soft ground too much to handle in a strong Newmarket handicap last month and the return to a sounder surface, combined with the application of cheekpieces, might see Kevin Ryan's gelding return to what he showed when scoring on his first start as a three-year-old at Newcastle. The step back up to 6f is likely to suit Stone Soldier, who shaped as though he would improve from his first run of the year at York, while Benefit Street's recent Thirsk victory puts her in the mix.
Prediction : 1st Oakenshield 2nd Stone Soldier 3rd Benefit Street

SHADES OF BLUE finished second in this contest 12 months ago and was more competitive as he dropped into a Group 3 when fourth at York last month. The change of headgear, from blinkers to a first-time visor, has the potential to eke out more from Clive Cox's filly. The form of Stormy Girl's first two efforts in 2020 would give her every chance of going close, while a pair of blinkers and the drop back to 6f could see Natalie's Joy bounce back to form.
Prediction : 1st Shades Of Blue 2nd Stormy Girl 3rd Natalies Joy

REVOLVER has won five in a row since switching to handicaps, making a mockery of his initial mark of 57 in the process, and there seems no obvious reason to abandon faith in Sir Mark Prescott's three-year-old now. Another 6lb penalty has followed, but he is clearly still ahead of the assessor and should enjoy this stiff test up in distance. Fun Mac isn't getting any younger but did win here in October off 1lb lower, while unexposed recent C&D hero Frankenstella is another worth keeping an eye on.
Prediction : 1st Revolver 2nd Fun Mac 3rd Frankenstella

Wondrous Words has probably performed to a similar level on both of her starts so far, and it has to rate as a slight concern that she was quite keen when second at Thirsk 16 days ago. That won't help at a track where you really have to stay, and TAWREED is preferred instead. Third at Yarmouth on her first day at school recently, she cost $450,000 as a yearling and represents a yard in peak form. Roong Roong was second on stable debut for Tim Easterby at Redcar and is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Tawreed 2nd Wondrous Words 3rd Roong Roong

There didn't seem to be much luck about MR CARPENTER's 100-1 success at York on stable debut for Tim Easterby last month and the four-year-old could follow up off just 2lb higher. Formerly with David Lanigan, he seemed to love a first try at this trip there and could take some stopping if the forecast rain arrives. Mankayan was second at Ascot when last seen and that winner has since followed up, while the unexposed Prince Imperial is also worth noting with Hollie Doyle doing the steering.
Prediction : 1st Mr Carpenter 2nd Mankayan 3rd Prince Imperial