News

In the 3.40 at Pontefract on Wednesday, Stars Over The Sea was far from disgraced, off today’s revised mark, when third of 17, beaten 1¾ lengths behind stable companion Fire Fighting over 1 mile 2 furlongs at Goodwood last week and, having won over 2 miles over hurdles, the step back up in distance may well be in his favour. He takes a drop in class and can resume winning ways.

In the 4.10 at Pontefract, Mr Orange has yet to win over the minimum trip, but was only beaten half a length, off a 5lb lower mark, on his last attempt over course and distance, despite being denied a clear run in the closing stages. His subsequent defeat of Laila Honiwillow, over 6 furlongs, on the West Yorkshire course has been franked by the runner-up so, on his favoured fast ground, he may be capable of following up.

Selections: Pontefract 3.40 Stars Over The Sea, Pontefract 4.10 Mr Orange, 1-point Win Double

The fourth and final major of the season, the USPGA Championship, gets underway at Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield, New Jersey on Thursday and, as is customary, the winners of the first three majors, Danny Willett, Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson, play together for the first two days. Following a sensational performance at Troon, Henrik Stenson (13/8) looks worthy of support in that particular three-ball.

Elsewhere, Sergio Garcia may never shed the tag of ‘best player never to win a major’, but is another who arrives in fantastic form after finishing tied fifth at Troon. The Spaniard should be suited by the course and, at 15/8, may be able to get the better of Bubba Watson and Jordan Spieth in the opening exchanges.

Last, but hopefully not least, Baltusrol favours accurate driving, so Jason Dufner (7/5), who won this tournament three years ago and finished in the top 25 at Troon, may be able to steal a march on Martin Kaymer and Y.E. Yang.

Selections: Henrik Stenson (13/8), Sergio Garcia (15/8), Jason Dufner (7/5), 1-point Win Treble

Laila Honiwillow failed by just a length to withstand the challenge of Mr. Orange and land our treble at Pontefract last Friday but, even so, a 36-point profit, courtesy of Monsieur Joe (7/2) and Final Venture (6/1), did us no harm. Suitably inspired, we’ve decided to put up three more selections in the hope of repeating the dose.

In the 3.15 at Musselburgh on Tuesday, Bashiba has been raised just 2lb for winning a 0-95 contest at Windsor earlier this month and, dropped back into 0-80 company, must have every chance of following up. The Iffraaj gelding has done all his winning on good, or faster, going over the minimum trip and, although on a career-high handicap mark, has plenty going for him.

In the 4.45 at Musselburgh, Always Resolute could probably do with a drop of rain, but should run his race in any case and can defy a 5lb rise in the weights form winning at Chester last month. That was just his second attempt at 2 miles on the Flat so, with the flat, slightly undulating track once again in his favour, he may be capable of further improvement.

In the 7.50 at Chelmsford, Clovelly Bay recorded his sole win over course and distance last November under Hayley Turner and, reunited with the lady jockey, must have a decent chance of winning again off a handicap mark just 3lb higher. His recent form on turf is nothing to write home about, but back on Polytrack, he can win a fairly uninspiring contest.

Selections: Musselburgh 3.15 Bashiba, Musselburgh 4.45 Always Resolute, Chelmsford 7.50 Clovelly Bay, 1-point Win Patent