Free horse racing tips for Monday: Andy Stephens' best bets

Horses for courses is one of racing’s oldest ages and on Monday one of the sport’s specialists will be remembered at Pontefract.

Mr Wolf was a standing dish at the Yorkshire track between 2005 and 2012 before being retired, running there on 36 occasions. The sprinter won on eight occasions and was placed on another 11.

It’s perhaps fitting that four horses who have won over course and distance – Oso Rapido, Rhythm, Corinthia Knight and Round The Island - will line up in the Mr Wolf Handicap at 8.30pm.

I’ve got a selection in the contest, which you can watch live on Racing TV, plus two other tips to ponder. Once the action is over, you’ll be able to enjoy another episode of The Verdict with Angus McNae

There doesn’t look a great deal of pace on the cards here and that should play into the hands of Matchless, whose seven career wins have all been gained when making the running or racing prominently.

He was one of the lesser lights at Ballydoyle when initially trained by Aidan O’Brien (his CV does include a small part in the Irish Derby a couple of years ago) but the son of Galileo has either won or been second in five of his seven races, under both codes, for Jennie Candlish.

The five-year-old found one too good over hurdles at Kelso last time, but like plenty of his sire’s offspring he simply isn’t as good in that sphere. He had previously shown great resolution when scoring on the level at Doncaster and PJ McDonald (1/7 for Candlish, showing a profit of £10 to a £1 stake when riding for the yard) is an interesting booking.

Carrigillihy looked fortunate to fend off Unplugged by a nose here last time but is feared most, with the runner-up having since gone one better. Bumper winner C’mon Kenny still hasn’t mastered the stalls but his turn has looked close and he also commands respect.

Noble Masquerade’s three career victories – two of them at this track - have all been achieved under William Buick (the six-year-old is 0/16 when ridden by other jockeys) and the combination look to have plenty going for them here.

The handicapper has certainly given Noble Masquerade a chance, as he’s now 4lb lower than when a wide-margin winner here last year. The bay gelding indicated he would soon be taking advantage when a length third to Saligo Bay over course and distance last month, when he kept on well after an unusually sleepy start.

Lexington Knight, the runner-up, did his bit for the form when subsequently going one better at Doncaster.

The one relatively unknown quantity is Love You Grandpa, a Frankel filly in top hands who has been absent a year. She’s yet to set the world alight in three runs and on her bare form is harshly treated, but she’s open to improvement up in trip on her handicap bow.

The obvious place to start is with Corinthia Knight and Round The Island, who between them have won 13 races at Pontefract and dominated the finish of this race last year.

Corinthia Knight’s front-running style favours this track – he’s won six of his nine races here - and he returns 3lb lower in the ratings than 12 months ago after some dull runs on the all-weather, when often claimer or amateur ridden. More than that, he’s 10lb lower than when gaining his latest track win less than a year ago.

Freshened up and with the services of Paul Mulrennan (1/1 on him) secured, it’s not hard to see him adding to his fine record here provided his latest runs on artificial tracks are not a sign that he’s lost some of his dash.

Round The Island will be having his 28th run at Pontefract and is seeking to match Mr Wolf’s haul of eight wins. He’s never been the easiest to predict and is running from out of the handicap on this occasion.

A bigger threat seems likely to be Crypto Quest, who struck at the first time of asking for Ian McInnes when making all in what looked a competitive race on his return at Doncaster last month. He’s got to back that up and has been troublesome in the stalls (twice withdrawn), but on balance a 4lb rise looks fair enough.