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Andy Stephens' horse racing tips for Pontefract on Monday

Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023

The focus switches to the Flat this week with the three-day meeting at Newmarket beginning on Tuesday and set to feature Native Trail in the bet365 Craven Stakes 24 hours later.

It will be good to see last season’s champion two-year-old, a top-priced 3-1 for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, back in action on the Rowley Mile with the step up to a mile unlikely to pose a problem.

Star Of India, Claymore and Al Mubhir are possible rivals and each were all taking winners of their only races last season. However, Native Trail is a two-time Group One winner, with no penalty to carry, so he’s naturally a short price to pick up from where he left off.

Before that, the Racing TV cameras will capture the action at Pontefract on Monday and I’ve got four suggestions.

3.05 Pontefract: Autumn Festival at 13-8 with William Hill

Finished: 2ndSP: 5/6

He’s a brother of Italian Derby winner Summer Festival but he’s not going to be winning any Classics, having been gelded after making little impact in three all-weather maidens at up to 7f in the winter.

It was a case of “bingo” when he was switched to handicap ranks after more than two months off at Redcar last week, as he thumped 14 rivals with plenty to spare. Perhaps it was the surgery that made the difference, or the step up to a mile, or the soft ground, or more positive tactics. Maybe it was a mixture of the lot, but the bottom line is that a mark of 57 seriously underestimated him.

A 6lb penalty should not stop Autumn Festival following up, given that David O’Meara has found a race over the same trip on likely similar going. The only niggle is whether this might come a bit quick, but, unlike with some of the others, we know he’s fit and in form.

3.40 Pontefract: Rayong at 9-1 with William Hill

Finished: 1stSP: 13/2

The Mayson gelding looked like he might have a decent handicap in him when winning over course and distance in July 2020, having previously run creditably at Royal Ascot. However, he has been beaten in his subsequent 13 races and must be testing the patience of his connections/supporters.

However, every cloud has a silver lining and, on the plus side, Rayong’s mark has tumbled 20lb during his barren spell. And he hinted all was not lost when twice running well here in the autumn, including on deep ground.

It looks significant that he’s starting off the campaign back at a track he clearly likes, plus he’s favourably drawn in stall 1 provided they don’t migrate to the other side of the track. Hopefully, Karl Burke has got him revved up for his return and, if he has, the early double-figire digits on offer would look chunky.

Enjoy a day at the races on us

4.15 Pontefract: Frankelio at 17-2 with William Hill

Finished: 6thSP: 5/1

Fresh looks the best time to catch him and, at the odds on offer, he looks worth risking on his first start for almost six months.

Frankelio ran well on his first two starts last term, off a mark of 69, before his season tapered off. It was a similar story the season before, when he won over course and distance on his return (again off a rating of 69) before getting worse by the run.

The Frankel gelding resumes off a rating of 62 and, if following his usual pattern, now is the time to be with him. The early 14-1 on offer has gone but that was simlpy the wrong price. I’ll probably have a saver on the reliable Al Qaasim, who comes with less wealth warnings attached.

4.50 Pontefract: Liffeydale Dreamer at 7-2 with William Hill

Finished: 3rdSP: 3/1

This 2m 5f contest is likely to be attritional and that should suit Lifeydale Dancer, who is handicapped on her Flat form of a couple of years ago over much shorter distances.

She could be a different proposition over an extreme trip such as this because she stays all day over hurdles, going close over just short of 3m at Musselburgh last time. She’s also got a recent solid spin over 3m2f at Kelso on her CV.

A mark of 50 looks one she can exploit, not least because she scored off 57 when trained in Ireland a few summers ago. Beggarman is hot favourite after another good effort at Wolverhampton last time but he’s been well held in his three races on turf, not convincing with his stamina over 2m on one occasions, admittedly when racing on heavy going.

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