Following last week’s flight of fancy, we’ve decided to rein in our natural impulses and go for three horses that we expect to run well at decent, if not astronomical, odds.
The first of them is Advance in the Matty Bown Handicap (2.45) at Pontefract. The Aqlaam gelding has already won four times this season, but would probably have gone very close to doing so again if not for being snatched up in the closing stages at Leicester last month. A 2lb rise in the weights for being beaten doesn’t seem entirely fair but, frankly, shouldn’t make much difference and he can resume winning ways. He should relish the stiff uphill climb to the line at Pontefract.
Our second selection is Correggio in the next race at Pontefract, the Book Your Christmas Party Here on 0113 2876387 Handicap (3.15). Micky Hammond’s 5-year-old apparently lost a shoe and suffered minor abrasions when below par over course and distance last month, but had previously won a similar contest by 6 lengths and deserves another chance.
Finally, in the EBF Stallions Breeding Winners Fillies’ Handicap (3.50), Pretty Bubbles is an interesting contender for John Jenkins on a course where he’s had just five runners during the last five seasons. The Sleeping Indian mare has yet to tackle 6 furlongs, but has been running well over 7 furlongs and is another who should find the testing hill over the last three furlongs at Pontefract to her liking.
Selections: Pontefract 2.45 Advance, Pontefract 3.15 Correggio, Pontefract 3.50 Pretty Bubbles, win trixie (3 x win doubles, 1 x win treble)
