UK Horse Racing Tips: Pontefract

Ancient Times was well held on his only previous run at this venue and has something to prove on that basis, while Copper Knight is more proven on stamina-demanding courses but has only won once since scoring over C&D in July 2023. Therefore, Protest Rally (winner) and HOVER ON THE WIND (second) could be the pair to focus on. The former narrowly held sway when they clashed over track-and-trip last month. However, the latter is 6lb better off at the weights, when factoring in his rider's claim, and can turn things around.
Prediction : 1st Hover On The Wind 2nd Protest Rally 3rd Ancient Times

Richard Fahey won the 2021 edition of this race with a similar type to LILY PEARL and this daughter of Ardad looks the most logical option after her promising fourth-placed finish over C&D on her debut last month. There's A Chance also created a favourable impression on her racecourse bow at Thirsk and cannot be ruled out given she had a legitimate excuse at Carlisle most recently, having stumbled at the start. Just A Girl and Westend Music are interesting newcomers for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Lily Pearl 2nd Theres A Chance 3rd Just A Girl

Perfectly Timed and KITSUNE POWER are closely matched based on the face value of their encounter at Thirsk in April. The former only had a neck to spare over his old rival when winning that race and, armed with a 4lb pull at the weights, the latter has a big chance of gaining the upper hand this time. The hat-trick seeking Educator is another strong contender, despite going up another 4lb for a cosy success at Windsor last month.
Prediction : 1st Perfectly Timed 2nd Kitsune Power 3rd Educator

QUEEN OF STEEL has been in top form of late under both codes and she got off the mark on the level in impressive fashion at Nottingham last month. With a 10lb rise for that easy success potentially being lenient, the five-year-old may prove too strong for Captain Potter, who has run with credit on his last two outings without getting his head in front. Forglen had Triple Nickle (fourth) behind when runner-up at Wolverhampton last time out and both are likely to be thereabouts again.
Prediction : 1st Queen Of Steel 2nd Captain Potter 3rd Forglen

Denied by the narrowest of margins over shorter at Beverley last time out, DISTINCTION can gain compensation stepping back up in trip off 2lb higher. That may be at the main expense of Casilli, who has been winless since July 2022, but was unlucky when making headway over this distance at Beverley last month. We Still Believe and unexposed handicap debutant Desert Of The Sea cannot be ruled out either.
Prediction : 1st Distinction 2nd Casilli 3rd Desert Of The Sea

Runner-up on his return at Beverley in a contest that has worked out extremely well since, THIS YEARS LOVE may be able to dictate this from stall four and he is only 2lb higher than his last success. A creditable third on both starts this season at Leicester, Little Tiger must enter calculations again, along with Evelyn's Phoenix, who has dropped back to his last winning mark.
Prediction : 1st This Years Love 2nd Little Tiger 3rd Evelyns Phoenix

Willolarupi can still make his presence felt, despite a 5lb rise for winning at Redcar last month, but it could be the turn of MINNESOTA LAD today. Ivan Furtado's sprinter posted his best effort of the year so far, when runner-up on the turf course at Lingfield, and another bold bid looks likely on that evidence. Illusionist drops in class and has a shout, especially if the forecast rain arrives.
Prediction : 1st Minnesota Lad 2nd Willolarupi 3rd Illusionist

FIERCE found himself trapped on the rail over 5f at Beverley last time and will have likely finished closer than fourth with a clear run. However, that effort confirmed he arrives in good order and the son of Dandy Man is taken to launch a serious challenge. It would be no surprise to see a better effort from The Good Biscuit in this lower grade, while Loving Apprentice won her maiden here last autumn and will be sharper for last month's comeback.
Prediction : 1st Fierce 2nd The Good Biscuit 3rd Loving Apprentice