Abingdon
Abingdon

Sunday's racing preview and selections


Pontefract stages a fine card to shake off the post-Royal Ascot blues and Chris Wilson has previewed the pick of the action. He has a suggestion for every race.

Pontefract stages a fine card to shake off the post-Royal Ascot blues, with Abingdon the shout on what could be a good day for Sir Michael Stoute.

Stoute's inmate features in a strong-looking renewal of the totepool Pontefract Castle Fillies' Stakes and should take some beating if she is fit enough.

That could itself be a contentious issue, though, as she has been off the track for nearly 300 days.

Be that as it may, Abingdon's class could see her home and she might not need to be fully wound up to take this Listed race over a mile and a half.

The 107-rated daughter of Street Cry is twice a winner at this level already and looked especially smart in the Galtres Stakes at York last summer, when she defeated To Eternity by a length and a quarter.

Her maiden form that year also reads very well as Abingdon was too good for Ajman Princess and Skiffle in a hot Ascot race last May.

Stoute was obviously very sweet on her as a three-year-old, and she was pitched into Group Two company on her last start of 2016.

Abingdon ran okay in the Park Hill Stakes, but she did not look entirely comfortable over a mile and three-quarters and ended up finishing fifth.

Back over a shorter trip and a proven operator on fast ground, she is clearly not coming up to Pontefract for the cakes.

Stoute has a clutch of other grand chances in Yorkshire, with Lockheed's half-sister Procedure an interesting runner in the novice stakes for fillies.

It is rare a Freemason Lodge inmate is at the foot of the weights for any race, so Royal runner Swiftsure could also be worth a play in the mile-and-a-quarter handicap.

He showed spits and spots of form as a juvenile but has since been gelded.

And though it could be viewed upon as rather idealistic and lazy punting, perhaps a first-time visor will do its job on stablemate Aristocratic in the fillies' handicap over a mile.

She must banish memories of a poor show at Ascot last time out, but her form before that had been decent.

Aurora Gray should be backed in the Pontefract Cup.

Hughie Morrison's stayer shaped promisingly at this track on June 12 when she galloped on strongly for third place behind Frederic, with whom she renews rivalry on much better terms.

On that evidence, the grey filly is well worth a try over this slightly longer trip and runs at Pontefract off the same mark of 79.

Having won three all-weather staying races earlier in the year, she is seemingly a horse with a bit still left in the locker.

It is slightly curious to see Peace And Co head all the way to Hexham to make his chasing debut, but he really ought to make no mistake for the Nicky Henderson team.

For one reason or another, things have not gone well since he won the Triumph Hurdle in 2015, but he does have the size and scope for fences ahead of the two-mile novice chase at the Northumberland circuit.

Wishfull Dreaming unseated his jockey last time but can gain redemption in a two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle at Worcester, with Mizaah an interesting one in the seven-furlong handicap at Gowran.

Sporting Life suggestions:

GOWRAN: 2.05 Medal Of Honour, 2.35 Betty Loch, 3.05 Mizaah, 3.35 Queluz, 4.05 Spanish Steps, 4.35 Diarist, 5.05 Ceol Na Nog.

HEXHAM: 1.50 Horace Hazel, 2.20 Peace And Co, 2.50 Symphony Of Angels, 3.20 Heist, 3.50 Desert Island Dusk, 4.20 Mo Rouge, 4.50 Motion To Strike.

PONTEFRACT: 2.00 Procedure, 2.30 Count Simon, 3.00 Swiftsure, 3.30 ABINGDON (NAP), 4.00 Aurora Gray, 4.30 Aristocratic, 5.00 Logi.

WORCESTER: 2.10 Ballinure, 2.40 Dragon De La Tour, 3.10 Such A Legend, 3.40 Wishfull Dreaming, 4.10 Utility, 4.40 Weld Arab, 5.10 Included.

DOUBLE: Abingdon and Aurora Gray

Like what you've read?

Next Off

Sporting Life
My Stable
Follow and track your favourite Horses, Jockeys and Trainers. Never miss a race with automated alerts.
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Click HERE for more information

Most Followed

MOST READ RACING

We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo