Pontefract today

Pontefract opens its doors for 2009 today with a good card and two well-contested handicaps. The mile race at 16.10 CET has 13 runners and looks wide open. Ours (John Harris/ Chris Catlin) was just beaten last time at Southwell by Intabih (Clive Brittain/ Neil Callan) and could reverse the placings on 2 lbs better terms. Veiled Applause (John Quinn/ Jamie Kyne), 4th of 19 at Doncaster last time, is an obvious danger. The 10 furlongs handicap at 17.10 has only 8 runners but is a very strong race. The lightly-raced Hawaass (Mark Johnson/ Greg Fairley) has been off since winning at Newmarket in June but is potentially better class. Jasr (Peter Chapple-Hyam/ Alan Munro) has also coming off a break, but his last form has been seriously upgraded in the meantime, while Lake Poet (Clive Brittain/ Seb Sanders) is inconsistent, but good enough on his day. Chapple-Hyam and Munro also have good chances with Select in the first division of the maiden fillies race over 6 furlongs at 17.40.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Chapter And Verse - Mt Kintyre - Shaaridh
2. Race: Swinbrook - Guest Connections - Desert Dreamer
3. Race: Veiled Applause - Intabih - Kavachi
4. Race: Yonder - Daraiym - Dramatic Solo
5. Race: Hawaass - Jaser - Jabal Tariq
6. Race: Select - Kasaa Ed - Izzi Mill
7. Race: Drum Dragon - Azharia - Highly Acclaimed
8. Race: Monfils Monfils - Quince - Rawdon