Pontefract & Uttoxeter - Tuesday 8th July

Pontefract 

15:10, Weatherbys Hamilton Pipalong Stakes

Royal Dress 11/2, 1pt each-way (3 places)

An up to scratch renewal of this listed race for fillies and mares highlights Tuesday afternoon's racing. It's not always the easiest race to predict with only 1 outright favourite winning in the last 10 years. It may pay to oppose the favourite again here as Sparks Fly is currently heading the market but may find the ground fast enough. Soprano is respected but carries a penalty, whilst Charlotte's Web brings in decent all weather form but needs to prove she is as effective on turf. Preference at the prices is for James Tate's 5 year old Night Of Thunder mare, Royal Dress. Unsuited by the track and way the race panned out at Epsom last time out, she comes here with something of a point to prove. She did however, win at Group 3 level in Ireland last year and this track should suit here. The stable is in form and she's well drawn in stall 2. Expect a big run. 

///

Uttoxeter

19:30, Plink On The Air Rifle Range At Eaton Hall Handicap Hurdle

Kitesurfer 5/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

Plenty are in decent nick coming into this staying handicap hurdle but it may be a good idea to side with the younger horse, Kitesurfer. Jamie Snowden's string is in good form and his 6 year old here still looks feasibly weighted off a mark of 117. He stays well, being a three time winner at about this trip, and does all of his winning in the summer. Gavin Sheehan is back aboard having won on Kitesurfer twice before and will find this race run to suit much more than the 3 and 4 runner events he has been beaten in the last twice. 

///

21:00, Eaton Hall Shooting Ground Open NH Flat Race

The Hustler 9/2, 1pt each-way (3 places)

Fergal O'Brien does terrifically well in bumpers and has been banging in the winners over the past few weeks. His runner here is a big gross gelding who ran a decent race at Southwell to finish 3rd when made plenty of use of from the front. He shaped as though he'll enjoy this stiffer track and will have learned a lot for that outing.