14:45 Pontefract

Only five runners go to post for the first round of the stayer’s series at this venue, but it still likely to prove a proper test at the trip and MAXIDENT (best price 4-1) should turn out to be in his element more than most. 

Outsider of three on his debut at Leicester last season (12-1), Dominic Ffrench Davis’ gelding faced a couple of high-profile performers from powerful stables but despite the market vibes, he turned the race totally on its head by scoring by no fewer than 50 lengths. 

Clearly well suited by extreme conditions, the son of Nathaniel never really encountered a similar terrain in four starts thereafter but he didn’t fare too badly against a useful bunch at Haydock on soft ground towards the backend and that effort backed up the view he really does need to get his toe in to be seen to best effect. 

Although he finished well down the field on his final start, the mere fact connections thought highly enough of him to take on the likes of Trawlerman, Trueshan, Kyprios and Coltrane at Group 2 level suggests he could turn out to be much better than his current mark in time and working on the theory the best time to catch him last season was first time out, a chance is taken he’s in a similar shape to stable mate, Mr Professor, who captured the Lincoln for the same connections a week ago.

Maxident - 1pt @ 4/1

15:15 Pontefract

Cast our minds back twelve months and who would have thought last season’s Nunthorpe winner would be strutting his stuff in this race and while there’s little chance of the same scenario developing with any of the runners in this field, GLORIOUS ANGEL (NAP) (best price 5-2) has a decent opportunity to make all the running, just like Live In The Dream did. 

A free going sort, Grant Tuer’s filly tried to see it out from the front in the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster but up against a more established and hardier type of older horse over six furlongs, she finally succumbed to Montaasib & Co inside the final furlong.

However, she showed enough bright speed throughout the first five furlongs to suggest a drop back down to the minimum trip is probably not a bad shout and from stall eight, there’s more than a fair chance she can bounce out and jump onto the better ground if, as is often the case here on heavy ground, conditions are quicker towards the stands’ side rail.