Pontefract and Worcester

There is also racing this afternoon at Pontefract (flat) and Worcester (N.H.). At Worcester, thr steeplechase course is still unfit after the spring floods, and there will be 5 hurdles races and two bumpers. Trainer Ala King and jockey Robert Thornton can team up to win two races, the opening maiden hurdle at 15.00 CET with Bormo, and the 3 mile handicap hurcdle an hour later with Otarie; the latter must give weight away all round, but has won his last two races in opod style, and the opposition does not look strong. The novices hurdle at 17.15 should concern only Adroit Approach (Andrew Hales/ Wayne Kennedy) and Mambo des Mottes (Venetia Williams/ Sam Thomas), who is reverting to the smaller obstacles after several flops over fences. At Pontefract, where the ground will be very soft, the best race is the class 3 fillies handicap over 10 furlongs at 17.05. Henry Cecil´s German-bred Born Tobouggie (Tom Quealy), who won on his debut at Notingham a fortnight ago, faces a strong challenge from Richard Hannon´s La Colombina (Paul Hanagan), who is making her seasonal debut but showed progressive form last season. These are both 3yo´s; Ella (Alan Swinbank/ Neil Callan) looks best of the older horses.