Royal Exchange to deliver goods at Pontefract
Frankie Dettori will try to put a disappointing Saturday behind him after Delegator and Saamidd’s poor runs on Champions Day, when he takes the ride on Tahaamah in the Toteplacepot Nursery Handicap division 2 at Pontefract. The colt won on its debut last time out, scoring by 1½ lengths at Wolverhampton and looked to have plenty left in the locker. The step up to a mile shouldn’t be a problem and he looks pretty well handicapped off a mark of 72.
Fieldgunner Kirkup will look to shoot the field down with an improved performance in the Toteswinger Flexi Betting Maiden Auction Stakes. He finished third in last two starts so there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be in contention again today.
Insolenceofoffice shouldn’t be ruled out having placed in all of its five starts but with the lack of progression will probably fall short again.
In the Totesuper7 Handicap, Russian Spirit should show enough character to beat the field. He raced well in last two starts finishing second at York last time out and will go on the good ground today. He races with a 2lb penalty today but has shown enough form to make strong claims here.
If you want an outside bet take a look at Captain Royale. The four-year-old is in form having won at Ayr at the end of September and claiming a second at Newcastle before that. Ignore his last outing where the heavy ground didn’t suit and you have an in-form horse who has a legitimate chance. The 20-1 quotes represent value, but it’s Russian Spirit who looks the classier sprinter.
The big race of the day is the Listed Totepool Silver Tankard Stakes where Ryan Moore will look to secure the Queen a winner on Royal Exchange. The promising two-year-old didn’t run to its ability last time out at Newmarket but still managed to finish under a length third to Rerouted.
That was over seven furlongs and the step back up to a mile today should help. The Richard Hannon trained colt looks to have a great chance today even with a 2lb penalty and looks like a potential group horse for next year.
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