Pontefract and Wolverhampton

It is difficult to get enthused about today´s racing in the U.K., and the main event at Pontefract, a class 3 race for 2yo´s over 6 furlongs at 16.15 CET has cut up to only 4 runners. Decree Absolute (Julia Tooth/ Paul Fitzsimons) is unbeaten, but the form shown by Kylladdie (Tom Tate/ Micky Fenton) when winning last time at Ripon is probably better. The fillies handicap over the same distance at 16.45 is the best betting race here. Mango Music (Mick Quinn/ Tom Queally) won this last year and should go close again but we prefer Sioux Rising (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan),whose only start this year resulted in a CD win, and top-weight Artistic Licence (Mick Channon/ Darryll Holland). Holland rides two more handicap top-weights with each-way chances, Sergeant Pink for Steve Gollins at 17.15 and Kipchak for Conor Dore at 18.45. With top-rated Harry Up a non-runner, the way should be clear for Northern Empire (Kevin Ryan/ Neil Callan), who has been running in much better races, to win Wolverhampton´s 5 furlongs seller at 16.00. The 3yo handicap over 1 1/2 miles here at 16.30 should lie between Decorum (John Gosden/ Richard Mullen) and Calalou (Charlie Egerton/ Steve Drowne), both of whom have finished third on their last two starts.