Hexham (N.H.), Pontefract and Wolverhampton (a.w.) this afternoon

Plenty of racing today, but nothing likely to take the breath away. At Pontefract this afternoon the best race is the 6 furlongs handicap at 16.10 CET. If top-weight Advanced (Kevin Ryan( Neil Callan) can run up to his latest form at Doncaster (2nd of 20) he must go close, but Obe Gold (David and Adrian Nicholls) as well as Mark Johnston´s pair Thebes (Royston Ffrench) and Nightjar (Robert Winston), both dropping in distance, could prove dangerous. Winston´s best chance of riding a winner is probably Sir Michael Stoute´s Standpoint in the maiden at 17.10, also over 6 furlongs. Over a radically different distance of almost 2 3/4 miles is the handicap at 16.40. Daraiym (Paul Green/ Franny Norton) kept on well to win here over 2 1/4 miles last time, with Yonder (Hughie Morrison/ Travis Block) third and now 5 lbs better off. Top-weight Mr. Crystal (Micky Hammond/ Freddie Tylicki) has chances as has Hasanpour (Karl Burke/ Callan), if he can recover some of his old form. Jord (Alan McCabe/ Andrew Elliott), off bottom weight, can take the fillies handicap at 16.20 at Wolverhampton after running several good races at the track. At Hexham, the most interesting race is the novice hurdle at 16.00. Touch of irish (Alan Swinbank /Brian Hughes) and Lord Larsson (Malcolm Jefferson/ Phil Kinsella) were fighting it out last time at Kelso, when the latter fell two out, leaving the former to win easily. If he stays on his feet, Lord Larsson can gain revenge here on 6lbs better terms, but Glencree (Howard Johnson/ Dougie Costello) is another danger.