Seven races from Pontefract on Thursday afternoon, running from 14.00 to 17.30. Northern connections are joined by plenty of southern raiders at this popular venue – ‘Ponte Carlo’ to many racing fans.

Reasonable numbers runners-wise, and very competitive fare. Always a highlight. Let’s see if we can find a couple to run well for us.

14.35 Bondy @ 7/4

Bond Thoroughbreds have had many a good horse run in these famous colours, and here’s a Bryan Smart-trained juvenile with a Listed entry looking to further advertise his quality.

One run so far – a York novice over today’s trip of 6f. Ran on nicely at the finish, doing his best work late in the piece. Jockey Harry Russell, on top on the Knavesmire, again does the steering. It’s his only mount of the day.

He’s by the great stallion Kingman, who excelled at 7f/one mile, and this very stiff six should be tailor-made at this stage of Bondy’s career. Nice race, several rivals, but he holds the aces for me.

17.30 Mexicali Rose @ 11/4

A Class 4 mile handicap, and my selection is fresh from sluicing up in a Chepstow novice over a furlong less just over 3 weeks ago. The Welsh circuit offers a similarly taxing test as the one to be embraced at ‘Ponte,’ with its long, punishing home straight, and she also finished beautifully at Nottingham a couple of starts ago – another very stiff track.

That was over an extended mile, so every chance for me that the trip/track will suit and that’s a massive plus at a venue like this. Next to no-one dances and saunters to victory at Pontefract – it’s about guts, determination and staying power.

She’s shown fantastic consistency so far in her six-race career, and even the 13 box doesn’t put me off this one. Trainer Ralph Beckett is red-hot at present, and this can be another one for his seasonal tally.