Listed race at Pontefract

After 5 days of superb sport from Royal Ascot, today´s 4 cards -two of them over jumps- come as a complete anti-climax. The only black type race of the day is the listed Pontefract Castle Stakes over 1 1/2 miles at 16.40, with only 5 runners. Gatewood (John Gosden/ Joe Fanning) stands out here, he has plenty of good form at this level and is well clear on ratings. There should be an all-Newmarket finish, as Connectitut (Luca Cumani/ Adam Kirby) and Red Galileo (Ed Dunlop/ Graham Lee) can follow him home. A better betting heat is the Pontefract Cup, a handicap over 2 1/ 4 miles at 17.10, in which the consistent Tuscan Gold (Micky Hammond/ Peter McDonald) attempts to repeat his CD victory of a fortnight ago; Waterclock (Jedd O´Keeffe/ Graham Lee) was fourth then and can possibly reverse the form on 5 lbs better terms. Earlier, German-bred Liberty Red (James Given/ Lee), from the Ittlingen Lando family, can start off a good day for the jockey at 16.10.

The Irish card at Gowran Park is surprisngly weak for a Sunday, and boring too, as all the races are over middle distances. More interesting are the two U.K. jumps cards, and the best race here is the 2 1/2 mile handicap hurdle at 18.20 at Worcester. Dubh Eile (Tim Vaughan/ Richard Johnson) has won his last 2 races very easily, but has been raised a massive 27 lbs for his pains, while Aficionado (Dr. Newland/ Will Kennedy) was beaten in a photo-finish over this CD last time, but also faces much stronger opposition today. Laudatory (Nicky Henderson/ Nico de Boinville) ran welllast time, but is running over this trip for the first time. Our preference is for the two runners owned by JP McManus, and while Rum and Butter (Jonjo O´Neill/ Dougie Costello) carries the first colours, Vulcanite (Charlie Longsdon/ Ger Fox) won this race last year, is better handicapped now and comes from a stable in good form.

Pontefract - betting forecast:
1. Race: Dawaa - Big Sky - Sunnua
2. Race: Faith Matters - Spring Dixie - Europa
3. Race: Abbey Angel - The Character - Sellingallthetime
4. Race: Gatewood - Connecticut - Red Galileo
5. Race: Tuscan Gold - Samtu - Awaywiththegreys
6. Race: Arethusa - Two In The Pink - La Dorotea
7. Race: Aprovado - Bacall - Ocean Sheridan