4:50 Pontefract – NIBLAWI
This is an extreme trip, the longest of the entire Flat season and that means that we need to find a horse who is guaranteed to stay, which makes NIBLAWI very appealing. He won over hurdles last month at Southwell, when he stayed on gamely in the closing stages and looks like this kind of stiff test would be well within his range. He comes from the family of Affidavit and Altamura who both stayed longer trips on the Flat and he has run with credit over 2-miles on the all-weather already this season. He has weight to give away, but most of his rivals have question marks over their form and stamina, so he should be able to cope with that burden.
3:50 Hexham – SHANROE STREET
Hexham is such a unique track, with its undulations and stiff climb to the home straight, horses either handle it or they don’t. SHANROE STREET has plenty of form at this track, including a win over this course and distance last April and he has far fewer questions to answer than his 3 rivals. He was beaten by a head on his last start behind Geordie B at Carlisle and if he repeats that effort, he should really have too much class for his opponents. In a small field, he should get a soft lead in front and could prove hard to pass under his Owner/Trainer/Jockey Gregor Walkingshaw.
