PONTEFRACT: 3 BETTING PICKS — MARK YOUR CARD SERVICE. We head to Yorkshire today for a competitive card at Pontefract. With a mix of exposed handicappers and well-treated options looking to bounce back, here are three strong betting selections on the card.
PONTEFRACT: 3 BETTING PICKS — MARK YOUR CARD SERVICE
14:45 — GLITTER CODE (11/2)
Star Start wins in turn and comes into this having run a solid second to Alazwar in a similar contest. The Ruth Carr-trained 6-year-old is a course-and-distance winner—which came under today’s jockey, Miss Charli Parker. Given he has previously won off a 4lb higher mark, he clearly holds a major winning chance.
Sunny Orange was only a nose behind Star Start in that same race and today benefits from a 3lb claimer in the saddle. However, he is not as prolific as the favorite and could find his stamina stretched if this turns into a strongly run contest.
Despite being a 22-race maiden, the vote goes to Glitter Code to get past them both. Nell Biker’s mount may have been well beaten in his last two outings, but those came on the all-weather, and he was reported lame last time out at Newcastle. Turning the clock back to April 23rd, Edward Bethell’s gelding was only just touched off at Beverley over an inadequate 8.5 furlongs. Stepping back up in trip on turf should be ideal, and this looks like his best opportunity yet to break his duck.
15:45 — SPIRIT GENIE (7/2)
For a race of this nature, Garden Oasis looks very short in the betting. While Tim Easterby’s 11-year-old is a course-and-distance winner who posted a good second last time out, that was a weak contest and the form has been let down since.
The value lies with Spirit Genie, a 6-year-old who won his last race off a 13lb higher handicap mark. While he comes into this on the back of a poor showing at York, that came in a higher grade over a distance that was completely unsuitable. Dropping back in trip, fitting a first-time visor, and bringing in Jason Hart to take over in the saddle are all massive positives. The gelding is a further 2lb lower in the weights, and he represents a stable in red-hot form.
16:15 — SEA HER EXCEL (9/2)
Great arrives in good order, but his two career wins have come over further than this minimum trip. While Pontefract is a stiff track, his jockey will need the gaps to appear at the right time coming from off the pace.
For this grade of handicapper, Between The Sticks has served his connections brilliantly, racking up 10 wins and placing 23 times. Given his track affinity and consistent recent form, Ruth Carr’s gelding deserves strong consideration for Placepot lines.
However, for the outright winner, the nod goes to the improving 3-year-old Sea Her Excel. The filly is a strong front-runner, and the way she stays on late suggests this stiff finish will play right into her hands. Elle-May Croot gave the daughter of Bungle Inthejungle an excellent ride to win at Ayr last time out, and she looks very workable off just a 3lb higher mark today.
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