Five meetings to get stuck into on Monday, and it is an even split between the ones we fancy at short odds and the ones we think are worth chancing at a price. Pontefract and Ffos Las are where most of our thinking has gone, with Kempton’s evening on the all-weather and the cards at Windsor and Stratford filling out the rest of the day.
Start at Pontefract, because that is where the day really takes shape for us. Ideal Guest is the one we keep coming back to in the five o’clock. He stands clear of this lot on the clock, his fastest work has come over course and distance, and he makes his own running so nothing gets the jump on him. The weight is dropping and there is a first-time hood on to help him settle, which could be the final piece. Earlier on the card, Wrist Art is the one for the bold. He is on the up off a mark he can take advantage of, his Brighton third reads better than the bare result, and the first-time tongue-tie and visor are clearly aimed at sparking a bit more. At a big price he makes plenty of each-way sense.
Over at Ffos Las there is a similar shape, one we are confident about and a couple worth a second look. Zighy is the banker of the meeting for us. She went for home a fraction too soon last time and was only collared close home, so that effort was better than third place suggests. Boughey is in red-hot form, Loughnane has a good record at the track, and dropping back to the minimum trip should sharpen her up. Mayberry Moon can be marked right up for a comeback run at Carlisle where he was far too keen to do himself justice. He handles this trip, Egan knows the course well, and a calmer round puts him bang in the mix at a tempting price.
Elsewhere, Buck Barrow is well worth chancing back in a handicap after digging out a course-and-distance win, with first-time cheekpieces that might find a touch more. Uhtred Ragnarson carries our confidence at Stratford, while Windsor’s evening leans on Aim For The Bull.
No luck yesterday. Five went in without a winner, though The Stone Power and Shalaa Asker both found the frame to soften the blow. We move on. Get your eye in at Pontefract first, then let Ffos Las do the rest.