Listed race at Pontefract

Strangely enough, there is no racing today in Ireland, but that is because the big Galway meeting starts tomorrow and all the top trainers (notably of course Dermot Weld) are already on their way. The only black type race in the U.K. is the listed Pomfret Stakes over a mile at 17.05 at Pontefract. Highland Knight (Andrew Balding / David Probert) won this in 2012 and has good chances of scoring again; he has been racing in mainly much company since, including a victory at Baden-Baden. Irish challenger Elleval (David Marnane/ Jamie Spencer) is an obvious danger, but we shall take a chance on 3yo Cordite (Mike Appleby/ Andrew Mullen), who was not disgraced when fifth in Cologne to Lucky Lion despite trying to run out; he possibly needs softer going than he is likely to find here, but could still run into the places at a good price.

The card at Ascot, two maidens and 4 handicaps, can clearly not be compared to yesterday´s top class offerings, but the races are all very competitive. Lady Cecil will be in Munich today, but can still take the 1 1/2 miles handicap at 16.05 with Retirement Plan (Ryan Moore). The 5 furlongs handicap that ends proceedings at 18.20 looks very tricky. Results from the two previous days of the meeting suggest that low-to-middle draws have an advantage, so we shall select Masamah (Marco Botti/ Martin Harley), who has a good CD record and is drawn 7.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Never Easy - Dark Reckoning - Charlie Croker
2. Race: Men Don`t Cry - El Bravo - Merchant Of Medici
3. Race: Spanish Plume - Eltheeb - Wahgah
4. Race: Highland Knight - Custom Cut - Artigiano
5. Race: Boy In The Bar - Misplaced Fortune - Sunraider
6. Race: Lockhart - Cliff - Mr Gatsby
7. Race: Pearl Noir - Pabusar - Mey Blossom