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18:30 Pontefract
Macho Pride was in good form around this time last year running well over course and distance before scoring at Haydock and he is now 7lb lower here today so it’s easy to see why he will be well fancied for this grade 5 contest. The battle hardened Corinthia Knight has been on the decline for a while now having fallen a full 24lb in the weights over the last eight months but is a dual course and distance winner here. There was a glimmer of a revival last time out that he might be coming back to some sort of form and the services of Hollie Doyle are enlisted today. I would however like to see more solid evidence that either gelding is ready to win again before taking a chance at short odds in a deep race.
Mr Orange has also enjoyed a lot of success here at Pontefract and is well drawn today to further improve his course record. He can get a good position here and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him go very well now back below his last winning mark.
MR ORANGE (E/W)
19:30 Pontefract
Elegant Erin goes for the hat-trick here today having scored at Carlisle and at Beverley last month. Though she hasn’t got her head in front here at Pontefract, she has run very well in two previous visits here and looks a strong proposition today. She is unbeaten since dropping down to five furlongs and she looks plenty speedy enough for the job.
King Of Tonga is another horse who has done very well since dropping to five furlongs and has won twice here since switching to Declan Carroll’s yard and is sure to go well again today. He is better drawn than the likely favourite and he would be my pick to land this contest.
The maiden Stalingrad would have a squeak on his peak form but always seems to find one or two too good while the much tried Van Gerwen is also a course and distance winner here but seems to have a lot to find with both his stablemate and today’s selection.
KING OF TONGA (WIN)
written by Tom Bates