SUNDAY WEEKENDER

17:00 Pontefract

Trainer Richard Whitaker has sent thirteen runners to Pontefract since the beginning of 2017 and has returned seven winners for a 54% winning strike rate and level stakes profit of +£26.33. He runs two at the course today and it is his second runner Round The Island that I am most interested in. His last victory came over course and distance in a Class 5 race on good-to-firm ground off a mark of 61 with Lewis Edmunds in the saddle and races today over the same trip with similar conditions off a mark of 58 and is again partnered by the talented young jockey. He finished ahead of a couple of today’s rivals when fourth last time out, racing keenly and seemingly doing too much too soon, so a more patient ride today should pay dividends.

The two most likely to put up a challenge are Crosse Fire who is better known for his all-weather victories but ran a decent third over course and distance last time out and Bibbidibobbidiboo who steps up in class off a 7lbs higher mark in search of her hat-trick.

Round The Island (WIN) – NAP

written by Dean Kilbryde