Pontefract Racecourse: Preview and tips for Thursday’s seven-race card

Read on for a full preview of the Pontefract card, courtesy of Racing TV, who provide all the latest free bet offers, writes Kitty Waddell.

The action kicks off with an apprentice handicap run over five furlongs (2.08). Tim Easterby’s Canaria Queen looks to have a good chance here, after winning and placing on her last two starts, and stays on the same mark as last time.

With a seven-pound claimer in the saddle, she could be right at the sharp end here. Paul Midgley’s Masterclass also should have at least an each-way chance and can perform at his current mark, and has Warren Fentiman’s three pounds to boot.

Race two is a six-furlong two-year-olds’ maiden (2.43). Two of the six runners are newcomers; Tiny Riot and Mick The Vest. Both look likely to be better over further in time, so may be best watched for now.

Ralph Beckett’s Spanish Waltz brings the best current form, having placed a good second of eight on debut over an extended seven furlongs, and can be considered over this shorter distance.

A two-year-olds’ six-furlong nursery handicap is next (3.18). David O’Meara’s Lucky Hero should be the one to beat in a first-time visor, having had a good season, placing in four of his five starts this summer. He still ought to be able to go well here, despite having risen a couple of pounds in the weights.

Runamara makes his handicap debut after a nice win on soft ground at Bath last time and may be able to replicate that form here.

The fourth race is a two-year-olds’ mile novice contest (3.53). We have a pair of debutants in the field of nine; African Gib and Charlotte Corday, of which the latter makes the most appeal on paper.

Willie Haggas’ Gaspacho brings the best existing form, having been beaten under four lengths on debut at Haydock over seven furlongs. The extra furlong here might yield some improvement.

Race five is a mile and a quarter handicap (4.28). Top National Hunt trainer Nicky Henderson has a rare Flat runner here in Twirling, for who wind surgery appeared to help a little when she was last seen at Ascot.

With a greater distance to travel this time, she could get closer to the front and is just two pounds above her last winning mark.

Elsewhere, Raulin seeks a hat-trick having won his last two starts over course and distance, but is confronted with a new high mark and different conditions today.

The penultimate race is a mile-and-half handicap (5.05). Declan Carroll’s Very Muddy Waters might find the slightly softer going to play to his advantage here, so has a real chance, running off the same mark as last time and given a useful three pounds once again by Zak Wheatley.

Sonic Pioneer won his last start over 10 furlongs at Beverley in convincing fashion, well suited by the soft ground, but carries top weight and a six-pound penalty here, so might not be best placed to go back-to-back.

Finally, racing wraps up with a six-furlong handicap (5.38). City Captain might have looked a good option if it was not for his significantly increased handicap mark, while Keep Warm might have a good chance for the Easterbys, having displayed some ability on this sort of ground and ought to be on a workable mark.

Valentine Catcher might also have an each-way shot if his first-time cheekpieces take effect.

Pontefract selections - Thursday:

2.08 - Canaria Queen

2.43 - Spanish Waltz

3.18 - Lucky Hero

3.53 - Gaspacho

4.28 - Twirling

5.05 - Very Muddy Waters

5.38 - Keep Warm