Today’s free horse racing tips: Steve Mullen’s top tips for Sunday’s racing at Pontefract and Uttoxeter
PONTEFRACT
2.20
POP DANCER ran a really nice race on debut here last time when a good second despite showing understandable greenness. He should have learned plenty for that experience at this track and take a step forward.
Stablemate Ellenor Gray could be the main danger after a good second over this trip at Catterick last time. She has the benefit of experience on her side with three runs. Queen’s Order is a nicely bred newcomer who is worth a look in the betting.
2.50
KING AND QUEEN is a pretty short price but he has been impressive in landing back-to-back wins at Hamilton. He is two from two since moving over from French racing and appears to have a lot more to offer.
Sempre Presto is coming down the weights despite running pretty well at Catterick and York on her past two outings. She’s got good form over course and distance and won’t be far away.
3.20
FIREWATER did really well to win at Nottingham last time despite being hampered at a crucial stage. A 4lb rise in the weights for that looks fair given the time was decent and he should be competitive again.
Billy Roberts won well at Beverley two runs ago before a close second at Ripon last time. He’s off the same mark so should be right there over a suitable distance. Bit Of A Quirke didn’t get the run of the race at Chester last time and will be happier on this more conventional track.
3.55
KHAFOO SHEMENI came back from more than a year off to show good signs on his debut for Sir Michael Stoute last time out. That was in a Windsor Listed contest against similar opposition over this distance.
You would expect him to be a bit fitter for that return and it wouldn’t take much more for him to strike. Di Fede held her own in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes before a close-up third in a Deauville Listed race last time out.
That makes her a threat, while Exhort dug deep to win in this class at Pontefract latest and is on the upgrade. She looks capable of better.
4.30
TRICKY DICKY won well at York on Friday and is thrown back in quickly with every chance. He carries a 5lb penalty for that success and has gone well with a short break between races before.
He likes this trip and rarely finishes out of the first two. Big Les looks a big price if he can find the form of his win on the Knavesmire last summer. He’s not run for five months so may need this but is only 1lb higher than that success.
Highly Sprung was a good second at Pontefract latest in a fast time and can’t be discounted on this hike in class.
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5.05
AL MUREIB really should have won by now and drops back into maiden company after some good runs in handicaps. Saeed Bin Suroor has his horses in fantastic form and he has put a visor on this son of Dubawi for the first time and that could help.
Joyful Mission comes from Sir Michael Stoute with every chance after two solid runs. He came back from 11 months off to finish a fair third at Haydock last time and has something to build on.
Gazton ran on into second on debut here 19 days ago despite missing the break. He’s another with more to offer.
5.40
SUPER JULIUS looked a different horse when running without headgear at Hamilton last time out. He won with plenty in hand and going up the weights by 6lb shouldn’t be an issue.
Johnny Cavagin likes this course and distance which doesn’t suit all horses and ran well in second at Nottingham off this mark latest. A repeat of that would put him right in the shake-up.
Paco Escostar ran her best race for a long time at Carlisle 17 days ago before just running out of petrol a little up the hill. This drop back in distance should help.
UTTOXETER
2.00 Rococo Style
2.30 What Will Be
3.00 Haul Away
3.35 Asockastar
4.10 Sirobbie
4.45 Purple King
5.20 Moreece