Pontefract Tips: Prescott stayer is a Godsend at Ponte

There are six British and Irish meetings on Wednesday, with 45 races to go at through the afternoon and evening. Amongst them is a Flat card from Pontefract, a six-race affair starting at 14:10. The going in West Yorkshire is described as ‘good to firm, good in places’.

We’ve picked out a trio to follow at Pontefract, including a Sir Mark Prescott stayer on a roll and a couple of sprinters.

Horse Racing Odds

Today’s Horse Races

3.10 Pontefract – Godsend @ 1/2

Any casual observer of midweek summer racing will be familiar with the type of Sir Mark Prescott-trained horse who takes off over middle-distance and staying trips. GODSEND is the latest in the line and he can continue his run of success here.

Following wins at Ripon, Salisbury and Ffos Las since entering handicaps, Godsend now faces just three rivals on this step up in grade. He was an easy winner in Wales last time and as a result his 6lb penalty means he is still technically well in.

The weight Godsend carries would imply he is rated 76. In reality, he is now rated 79. Luke Morris has been aboard for all three wins so far and his record when riding for Prescott (19 per cent strike-rate over the last five years) is far superior to this hard-working rider’s general return of nine per cent.

4.10 Pontefract – Catch Cunningham @ 2/1

Having lost his way for Kevin Ryan, CATCH CUNNINGHAM has regained his form for Michael Herrington this year and still has room to get back to his best for his old yard.

Although when with Ryan Catch Cunningham did his best work at sharper tracks, for current connections a stiff 5f has been ideal. His wins so far have been at Leicester and Newmarket, both of which have uphill finishes. Pontefract fits a similar description.

This track is also biased towards those drawn on the inside. Catch Cunningham’s position in stall three is therefore a positive.

He arrives in top form, having recorded his win at Newmarket just over the weekend, and can keep improving back to his old level at a track which should play to his strengths.

4.40 Pontefract – Midnite Runner @ 9/2

The Michael Dods-trained MIDNITE RUNNER had been a free-going seven-furlong horse until recently. The drop back to 6f, which in theory should help him to settle as runners go that little bit faster, looked to help last time and he can build on that now.

In all truth, Midnite Runner still over raced a little at this course last time. Crucially, it did not stop him from seeing out the race and he was a good third to Havana Rum, who was pitched into a valuable race afterwards and was not disgraced.

The draw has been kind. He is in stall one, right on the rail, although given his free-racing ways jockey Connor Beasley may want something to lead his mount.

That Beasley rides is also a positive. There are a few unexposed sorts in this race, among them stablemate A Girl Named Ivy, but the presence of stable jockey Beasley up top suggests confidence in Midnite Runner.

 Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.