Horse racing tips: three to note for Monday

While the leaves are falling and the big Flat finale is already in the rear-view mirror, it’s not inconceivable that we might see a future star on Monday as bids to justify likely short odds in the feature race of the year at Pontefract, the Listed .

The New Bay colt is at least a stone clear of his four rivals according to Timeform ratings and with anticipation of more to come to boot – he’s rated 114p, with next best on 100 – and he should enjoy stepping up to a mile now. Seaplane, who he beat at Ascot last time, is likely to run in the Group One Futurity Trophy at next weekend, while trainer Ralph Beckett has sent out two winners and three seconds in the Silver Tankard from six runners, including Westover three years ago.

However, ground that could well be heavy in places does ask a new question as does his widest draw, even if this is only a five-runner affair. Castle Stuart will also handle this ground for top connections and every runner arriving here is coming off a last-time out win.

Love Talk does not have anything like Call Lagoon’s promise, but she’s had the most recent outing among these and could get the run of things out in front from a plum draw and on ground which she should relish.

The market will tell us more regarding Calla Lagoon and he could well bolt up here but, whatever the circumstances, this is a set-up that could potentially test him and it will be really interesting to see how he fares, particularly with a view to next year for a trainer that has enjoyed a stellar season.

Below are two names to potentially note on the undercard, in addition to one from . Best of luck whichever way you’re playing and please gamble responsibly.

While runners at Pontefract can come towards the stands-side on soft ground, prominent runners drawn low are still similarly favoured on an easy surface and Thursday’s Child looks interesting given her berth and run style in the fillies’ handicap. 

The Harry Angel filly only made her debut back in March and won at 66/1 – Micky Hammond's first winning Flat debutant since 2016 – and she again looked above average next time out when winning well over this course and distance. 

She has not hit those heights since, but it’s interesting to note that she finished a close second at 28/1 on her return from a break at the end of August on easy ground at Carlisle and she has proven she handles these conditions and indeed goes well when faced with them from limited opportunities.

Thursday’s Child disappointed last time at Southwell but, back at Pontefract and on soft ground, she has the set-up to bounce back.

is on a roll and the sole potential pace angle in this 12-runner field can make it four from her last five in this extended 7f handicap. 

The return to form has coincided with a return to the all-weather back in July and she ran her best race so far last time, and in a manner which suggests that she may well have more to offer. While this is a stiffer 7f than Lingfield, she is lightly-raced over this distance which gives further hope about more scope for improvement. 

Jockey rides this filly for the first time and he has good statistics riding around (16.4 per cent, +£42.45, 1.28 A/E in the last year and above expectation over the last five), while I think the yard is not going as badly as the figures might suggest (no winner for five weeks but 19 of those 34 runners were double-figure odds and just under a quarter of them finished in the first three).

Lady Dreamer has a nice set-up here to continue her winning run and could take some pegging back if she gets away well. 

Honour Your Dreams looks an improved performer already for Mick Appleby and can make it two wins from three starts for his new yard. 

The four-year-old was well backed when scoring at on his penultimate start and travelled strongly last time under a penalty before being headed late on after being pestered in front. Dropping down a furlong in trip here looks a good move.

His low-ish draw in four makes appeal as does his forward-going style, and he might not have too much pressure on the front-end this time.