Race Of The Day - 8:20 Pontefract

Now that second English classic of the season for the three-year-olds has been and gone, it’s time to focus on some slightly lower class racing around the UK Calendar until Royal Ascot that is!

However tomorrow evening at Pontefract holds quite a nice Listed prize up for grabs, and hopefully I’m going to unearth that gem hidden amongst the rubble.

Looking at the race trends it would suggest you needn’t look any further than the favourite, because for the last five renewals of this very race – each individual one has been won by the favourite. This race usually does attract a decent filly or two and nothing looks different this year round, with previous winner Bahia Breeze in the line-up.

Impetious – Has been running okay for Eamon Tyrell but shouldering a penalty here against better horses, and this shouldn’t be in the shake-up as they hit the lollypop.

Bahia Breeze – Has run poorly on return to racing this year, but both times have been on firmish ground despite it being officially “good” at Epsom on Derby day. The quick re-appearance is slightly worrying and her previous quickest return was 10 days in which she won this very race back in 2006. If the ground is as described (Good-to-soft) she won’t be far away. Will see what the grounds riding like after the first couple of contests.

Chantilly Tiffany – Runs her best races fresh and is better on firmer ground over a straight mile. Looks likely to finish mid-division here.

Flying Clarets – Has a big shout in this despite running her best races fresh. Has an excellent record round here and the time of her win over Eradicate back in March over ten furlongs puts her bang there. She likes to force the pace and I’m not sure she’ll have the sufficient speed to do so over a mile, but she’ll be battling away a furlong out and should go well for Richard Fahey.

Folly Lodge – Is a filly with ability but hasn’t really stepped up on her Newbury win last spring. Looks another to be mid-division, and will most likely finish out the frame – trainers’ record here doesn’t inspire confidence either.

Fondled – Looks a filly with a future and confirmed promise when hacking up on return at Newmarket last month. Put away a decent handicapper in Ace Of Hearts in a time capable of going close in this race. James Fanshawe won this with Macadamia in 2003, so will know what it takes to win this race. She’s one of the more favoured sorts.

Goodbye – Has been running with credit in handicaps and was unlucky not to go close last time. Shouldn’t have the class to trouble the principles here but can run into a respectable sixth or seventh in a tricky race.

Kasumi – Give away bucket loads of weight to Baharah at Ascot when going down a gallant second, and wasn’t impressive off a slow pace at Musselburgh last time, however the filly she beat is no slouch and clocked a good time at Musselburgh previous. Travis Block has been on the mare for each of her 5 wins, and he has a good record round Pontefract on older horses. Hughie Morrison is a shrewd man and doesn’t tint at windmills, and this mare is vastly overpriced and is dangerous of a stronger pace she’ll get here.

Musical Beat – Won’t be troubling the judge here, one of the back numbers on form.

Passion Fruit – Third in this last year but that run looks way above her level and the sedate early gallop probably helped. This looks tougher and looks likely to struggle.

Steam Cuisine – Really came to hand at the end of last year and clocked a solid time when winning over seven furlongs at Newbury. Hasn’t really shown much this year, but should be around fourth or fifth at the finish – this may be a tad too far though.

Treat – Has the best form in the race but has it all to prove, Ryan Moore a big booking and Ed Dunlop has been given the task to coax more improvement from this filly.

Verdict:
In what looks a solid listed contest for the venue, it could pay to go each-way with KASUMI who is sure to go well for your money at massive odds. Hughie Morrison is a shrewd handler and instead of targeting a handicap off this current mark of 85 is instead going for black-type and that’s worth taking note of. Fondled should make a bold bid to stop her though, and is worth a small saver.

My Bets:
2pts EW – Kasumi (Best Morning Odds)
0.5pt CFC – Kasumi, Fondled, Flying Clarets
0.5pt CTC – Kasumi, Fondled, Flying Clarets