Pontefract today

Pontefract is the main meeting today and there are some interesting maidens running in the 10 furlongs race at 16.00 CET. On recent form Syvilla (Rae Guest/ Jim Crowley) would be the selection, having been a good runner-up last time out, but on 2007 form Godolphin´s Siyabona (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori), a very disappointing favourite last time, but runner-up both starts at 2, can be preferred; however all eyes will be on Sir Michael Stoute´s London Bid (Ryan Moore), the first foal of the outstanding multiple Group One winner Islington. Stoute and Moore should go home with a winner in any case, as their Heritage Coast is surely overdue for a win in the 1 1/2 mile maiden at 17.30, having finished second four times in a row. The 6 furlongs handicap at 17.00 looks very open with 14 runners. Top-weight High Curragh (Kevin Ryan/ Neil Callan), consistent enough in this grade, course specialist Mr. Wolf (Derek Barker/ Fergal Lynch) and in-form John Keats (noted running on well last week at Haydock) are 3 for the short list and if it rains, Steenberg (Mark Tompkins/ Jimmy Quinn), who has dropped to a very favourable mark, must come into the reckoning.