2:05 Pontefract – Wynford
This is Leg 1 of the Pontefract stayers’ series and there are 2 things that always stand out in these races, the ability to handle the track and fitness. WYNFORD ticks both boxes. Rebecca Menzies’ 9-year-old won over this course and distance in October on soft ground and arrives here having had a solid campaign over hurdles this winter. He is 5lbs higher than for that October victory but has maintained his form and arrives here following a solid effort over hurdles at Musselburgh last month, where he finished 5th. Rebecca Menzies yard is operating at a 15% strike rate, (4 winners in the last 26 days), but they have been in form across both codes throughout 2022. This looks to be a shrewd piece of placement with Wynford, who is versatile when it comes to ground conditions, and it will be a surprise if he can’t add a 9th career win to his tally.
3:50 Pontefract – Savvy Victory
Soul Stopper is likely to be a warm order for this 3-year-old maiden, but he isn’t guaranteed to stay this 10-furlong trip, especially on soft ground and so is worth taking on with SAVVY VICTORY. The progeny of New Bay improve significantly at 3 and Savvy Victory shaped well enough last season in his 4 starts to suggest that this step up in trip on a track with a stiff finish will be exactly what he needs. Sebastian Woods has booked Tom Marquand for the ride and if he can repeat the level of form that he showed when finishing 2nd in a Newcastle maiden in October, he should go close here.
