SUNDAY SELECTIONS

16:10 Pontefract

Brunch is a horse I’d be all over after back to back seconds in top class Northern handicaps and the four year old followed that up with a solid 7th at Royal Ascot however the horse continues to climb in weight without tasting success. In such a small field I’d have been happy to side with Michael Dods’ runner but when you see Regal Reality in the line up you have to take notice. Sir Michael Stoute’s horse has been woeful in two runs this season but a massive factor is who is set to climb aboard the six year old. Ryan Moore is set to ride the multiple group race victor and is Moore’s sole ride of the day. The former champion jockey could easily have a book of rides but chooses to head up to Pontefract just for this mount and that must be indicative of the horses chances. I’ll trust Moore’s judgement and side with the favourite.

REGAL REALITY (WIN)

17:10 Pontefract

The short priced favourite Khabib went up against older rivals at Beverley last time and claimed a solid near 3 length victory. Off a very similar mark I’d expect him to go equally as close once again however I find myself siding with a runner who remains a maiden after seven career starts. The three year old Raydmoor hails from the in-form yard of Richard Fahey and since being gelded seems to have shown an up-turn in form. If he continues on this upward trajectory I’m sure he’ll shake off his maiden tag soon enough.

ROYDMOOR (E/W)

17:15 Musselburgh

The fourth race on the card at Musselburgh has seventeen runners set to lineup in this ultra competitive five furlong sprint. With so many runners you have to look for a horse who potentially offers plenty of value in the betting and I hope Abel Handy is the answer. The horse is unbeaten here at Musselburgh and although the six year old hasn’t been great this season if he’s anywhere near his best he’ll have a fantastic chance. It may be easy to forget that he is a former group race winner so at 25/1 I’m more than happy to back him to finish in the money.

ABEL HANDY (E/W)

17:45 Musselburgh

I’ve already tipped up a seven race maiden this Sunday yet I find myself doing the exact same once again. This time in the 17:45. On paper it may well seem a ludicrous decision to opt for the Keith Dalgleish trained Kraken Filly but she’s a very interesting runner. Her rivals are much more consistent than she is but connections have tried all sorts with this three year old. She was entered into a listed race at Hamilton last time over 1m3f but now finds herself in a Class 4, 1 mile event. Sadly with three non-runners the bookmakers will only be paying the first two spots but at a big price I’ll take a chance that jockey Joe Fanning can steer her to success.

KRAKEN FILLY (E/W)

written by Rory Paddock