Horse racing tips: Angus McNae's bets for Pontefract on Sunday

This Richard Fahey-trained filly made a promising debut at Beverley when second behind a previous winner.

She was green and outpaced until halfway but finished off her race strongly, and the Coursetrack sectionals record her as being the fastest horse through the final three furlongs. Had it not been for a lack of experience early, I am sure she would have won that race.

Although she was sent off at 28-1, she still showed bundles of promise and can get off the mark at the second attempt here.

Ed Dunlop has enjoyed something of a renaissance this season, with 34 winners already on the board, and he can improve that record with this progressive handicapper.

Lenny’s Spirit has won two of his past three starts and defeat last time out only came at the hands of a very well-treated rival.

That effort proved he is still in good form, and he should get a perfect set-up here. He is a strong-travelling type who is best suited to a strong gallop, and with lots of early pace expected here, the race should fall apart in front of him in the latter stages.

He has been well placed by connections and this looks to be another good opportunity.

I am giving this horse one last chance. I highlighted him in The Verdict column after an eye-catching effort from an impossible position in the Cumberland Plate two starts ago, and he travelled like the winner on his latest outing at Ayr before finding less than expected in the closing stages.

That is presumably the reason why cheekpieces are applied here, which should focus his attention.

Four of his five victories have been at Pontefract, and there is no doubt he is very well treated as his latest success came off a rating of 86, and he gets to race off 75 here.

This is his chance to regain the winning thread.

This is my idea of the best bet on the Pontefract card. He is a genuine, reliable, and smart performer who won a Listed race earlier this season, and he recorded a triple-digit speed figure in defeat at Windsor last time out.

He usually races prominently and will get a good tow through this race from the front-running Marie’s Diamond. His form stands up to close scrutiny in terms of seeking another Listed win, given his excellent second in the Group three Diomed stakes at Epsom, and his trainer and jockey remain in very good form, so expect this four-year-old to add to their already excellent strike-rate.