A Perfect Evening for Racing
There's something magical about evening racing at Pontefract, and as I drove through the Yorkshire countryside this afternoon, I couldn't help but think of my grandfather's old saying: "Good ground makes for good racing." With conditions described as good, good to soft in places, we're in for a treat on tonight's six-race card.
The slightly easier ground will suit the majority of runners, and with the sun setting later in May, there's that wonderful atmosphere that only evening racing can provide. My wife always jokes that I get more excited about Friday night racing than most people do about their weekend plans – and she's probably right!
The Sam Alexander Memorial Takes Centre Stage
The feature race comes at 19:15 with the Sam Alexander Memorial Handicap Stakes, a competitive Class 4 affair over six furlongs worth £12,000. With eleven runners declared, this looks a cracking betting heat that should provide plenty of entertainment.
Musical Touch heads the weights on a mark of 84 for the in-form Fahey team. This five-year-old has been knocking on the door recently and the step back to six furlongs could be just what's needed. The booking of Ethan Tindall catches the eye, and this horse has winning form on good ground.
U Sure Do represents the Tim Easterby stable and comes here fresh from a decent effort last time out. At 83, he's well-handicapped if reproducing his best form, and Cam Hardie knows this horse well. The four-year-old has course and distance winning form, which is always a significant advantage around Pontefract's unique layout.
Novamay for Michael Dods is another with course and distance form to his name. On the same mark as U Sure Do, this four-year-old has been running consistently without quite getting his head in front. The good ground should suit, and Rhys Elliott's 3lb claim could prove crucial in such a competitive heat.
Opening Maiden Sets the Tone
The evening kicks off at 17:45 with the British Stallion Studs EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes, where Red Spells Danger stands out as the only horse with an official rating. Tim Easterby's three-year-old is rated 79, which suggests he's shown ability in previous starts, and David Allan takes the ride.
However, maidens can be tricky affairs, and Ndoto from the Fahey stable could be one to keep an eye on. The booking of Oisin Orr suggests connections think this three-year-old is ready to break his maiden tag, and first-time starters from this yard often come forward significantly for the experience.
Competitive Handicaps Throughout the Card
The Dr Keith Howard OBE Memorial Handicap at 18:45 brings together nine runners over the minimum trip. Le Beau Garcon and Vince L'Amour head the market, both rated 74, but it's worth noting that several of these have course and distance form.
Mark's Choice might be ten years old, but this veteran has course and distance winning form and has been running well in defeat recently. At the weights, and with the ground in his favour, he could outrun his odds under William Pyle.
The longer distance races later in the evening – both over a mile and a furlong – should suit the patient punter. Triple Force in the 19:45 contest has been running well lately and the step up in trip could unlock further improvement. Meanwhile, in the finale, Port Darwin for Charlie Johnston looks the class act among the three-year-olds.
Ground Conditions and Key Factors
Tonight's good to good-to-soft ground will play to the strengths of horses who appreciate some cut in the surface. The Pontefract circuit, with its unique configuration and testing finish, often rewards horses with proven course form, and several of tonight's key contenders tick that box.
The evening conditions should also help horses who prefer to race with some cover, as the cooler temperatures often lead to more patient riding tactics. This could particularly benefit horses like Rowan Scott's mount Wreck It Ryley in the Sam Alexander Memorial, who has shown his best form when allowed to come with a late run.
Best Bets and Ones to Watch
For tonight's action, I'm particularly drawn to U Sure Do in the feature Sam Alexander Memorial. His course and distance form gives him a significant edge, and the Easterby team are in good form. At the likely odds, he represents solid each-way value.
In the opening maiden, Red Spells Danger should have too much class for his rivals, while Mark's Choice in the 5f handicap could provide the best value of the evening for those looking for a bigger price.
The evening card promises competitive racing throughout, and with ground conditions favoring those who like a bit of give underfoot, we should be in for some exciting finishes under the Yorkshire evening sky. As my grandfather would have said, "Good ground, good horses, good racing" – and that's exactly what we have in store tonight.
