The ITV Racing cameras keep rolling into Sunday with a bumper eleven-race line-up which includes the final fixture of the Sky Bet Sunday Series from Pontefract, as well as action from Ireland at the Curragh.
15:45 PONTEFRACT – Enter ITV7 For Free EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race) Cl3 (2yo) 6f
VARZI’s (5/6) debut runner-up effort at York three months ago was promising, and with the benefit of that experience under his belt, then Karl Burke’s charge can go one better.
The Havana Grey colt was beaten around three lengths that day, but he shaped as if he’d immediately be suited by a stiffer test, so it’s not a surprise to see him tackle an extra furlong today. That debut form isn’t too shabby either; the winner has contested Group Two company on his next two outings, and a subsequent winner has also come out of the race.
His yard does very well with juveniles, and he tackles four debutants here, so his experience can prove invaluable and he can improve for the extra yardage to get off the mark now.
15:55 CURRAGH – Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Handicap (3yo+) 1m2f
GUINELOT (13/2) stayed on well to get off the mark at the third attempt, and it might be worth sticking with Ken Condon’s charge to continue her race-by-race improvement.
The Camelot filly is unexposed compared to most of these, having raced just three times in her career; but she struck latest when getting up close home to beat Taj Crown at Ballinrobe last month with the front two clear and now making her handicap debut of 71, there’s a suspicion that the handicapper might have let her in lightly here.
That runner-up won a claimer next time out, and she has the potential for better still to come, taking on more exposed rivals, so it wouldn’t come as a huge surprise if she were to go close here.
16:15 PONTEFRACT – Sky Bet For The Fans Fillies’ Handicap Cl3 (3yo+ 0-95) 1m
SI GRASS (3/1) ran better than the bare result when only eighth at Goodwood last month, but Charlie Johnston’s charge can bounce back here.
The Churchill filly had made the frame in all three prior starts, which included a win at Southwell at the beginning of the year; while his racecourse debut had seen her beaten just over one length by a subsequent Listed winner who has also placed in a French Group One.
That most recent Goodwood run was just her second turf start, and it came in a hot handicap at a track which she might not have handled, and this layout might suit her better. That Goodwood contest also represents some decent form, and the handicapper has eased her 1lb in the weights in what ought to be a slightly easier assignment, so it wouldn’t come as a huge shock if she were to leave that last run behind.
16:25 CURRAGH – Newbridge Silverware Royal Whip Stakes (Group 3) (3yo+) 1m2f
A BOY NAMED SUSIE (1/3) should find this a good deal easier than previous assignments, and Donnacha O’Brien’s charge is likely to prove hard to beat.
Runner-up in a Group One last term in France, the Starspangledbanner colt has acquitted himself well in defeat on all three starts this term, most recently chasing home Constitution River in the Eclipse at Sandown, beaten three lengths.
While his only success to date has come at Killarney as a juvenile, he takes a drop in class here and, facing nothing of the same calibre as his last couple of outings, it would be a surprise if he couldn’t get the job done here and return to winning ways.
16:45 PONTEFRACT – EBF Sky Bet Club Flying Fillies’ Stakes (Listed Race) (Fillies & Mares) Cl1 (3yo+) 6f
ROYAL FIXATION (7/2) hasn’t quite kicked on from her juvenile campaign, which saw her beat re-opposing America Queen in the Group Two Lowther Stakes before finishing third behind True Love in the Cheveley Park Stakes; but Karl Burke’s charge can get off the mark for the season.
The Palace Pier filly probably needed her reappearance when only seventh behind Song Of The Clyde at Newbury back in May, but she ran better in fifth to the smart Flora Of Bermuda latest back at York in Group Three company and easing back in class could see her resume winning ways.
She wore headgear that day, which is retained here, and the form of that York run has been boosted by both the winner and third horses home each winning since. Although America Queen finished ahead of her at York last time, she can turn the tables here and resume winning ways.
16:55 CURRAGH – William Hill Irish EBF Juvenile Sprint Stakes (Listed Race) (2yo) 5f
STAR PROSPECT (17/2) won his only victory to date over C&D, and it might be worth chancing Joseph O’Brien’s charge here despite a lesser effort latest.
The Starman colt was thought good enough to have a crack at the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot where he wasn’t unfancied, finishing in mid-division; he then finished third in a valuable stakes race at Cork before running a shade disappointingly at Naas latest.
That was over six furlongs though, and the longer trip possibly stretched him given he’s quickly dropped back to the minimum trip here. He may ideally want softer ground, but he’s proven he can handle a quicker surface, and with winning form here she can post a big run.
17:15 PONTEFRACT – Sky Bet Price Boosts Handicap (GBBPlus Race) Cl3 (3yo+ 0-95) 1m2f
HIGH DEGREE (Evens) faces no easy task off this mark, but William Haggas’ consistent performer gets the vote to get back on the scoresheet.
A winner at Ffos Las last July, the Too Darn Hot gelding has made the frame in three of his four outings this campaign, most recently when finding only one too good at Newmarket last month. That winner has since boosted the form by gaining further success at Goodwood, and first-time cheekpieces now applied could see him find more.
He can be quite keen, which is always a slight worry, but the headgear might help calm him, and although he gives weight away all round here, he could be the answer.
17:25 CURRAGH – Bet With Tote On Racing & Sports Handicap (3yo+) 5f
BOLD OPTIMIST (7/2) hasn’t won for a while, but recent efforts suggest his time might not be too far off and Daniel McLoughlin’s charge is fancied here to get back on the scoresheet.
A C&D winner back in 2024 off a considerably higher mark, things haven’t gone to plan since for the Gleneagles gelding, although he has been pretty lightly raced these last couple of campaigns.
His latest outing saw him finish a half-length runner-up behind Sovereign Cry at Naas in July following a break, beating a subsequent winner, and off this mark he ought to be competitive given he won off 81 here previously and is now rated just 69.
17:45 PONTEFRACT – Sky Bet Build A Bet Handicap Cl2 (3yo+ 0-105) 5f
BADRI (5/1) shaped as if he was feeling the effects of a busy season last time out at Windsor, but Michael Herrington’s charge is chanced nonetheless back at this venue where he rattled off three C&D wins earlier in the campaign.
The latest of those saw the veteran Dark Angel gelding beat reopposing Baker Blue under a penalty, scoring by one length, although he was disappointing at Windsor latest when beating only three home.
That was over six furlongs, however, and it wasn’t the first time he’s disappointed at that track; but back down to five furlongs here at a venue where he’s enjoyed plenty of success could see him bounce back.
18:15 PONTEFRACT – Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap (GBBPlus Race) Cl3 (3yo+ 0-90) 2m1f
Softer ground might have been a factor in a below-par run by LETSBEFRANK (7/2) at Ayr when last seen, but back on a quicker surface Jim Goldie’s charge can resume winning ways following a break.
The Frankel gelding has won twice this term, scoring at Musselburgh and Hamilton before a good third at Thirsk where he was beaten just over one length. However, he struggled in the mud last time and has been given time since.
A past C&D winner, he has the services of good 5lbs claimer Lauren Young to help ease his burden at the weights, and he’s gone well fresh in the past, so a big run wouldn’t come as a big surprise here.
18:45 PONTEFRACT – Sky Bet Proud To Support Young Lives Vs Cancer Handicap Cl3 (3yo+ 0-90) 6f
ALFA WHITEBURD (3/1) is going the right way and is 2-2 here, beating reopposing The Good Biscuit latest, and Ivan Furtado’s charge can go in again.
The Cotai Glory gelding had also struck at Chester in July before his C&D brace, most recently scoring a shade readily having made all to beat Aberama Gold by the thick end of two lengths. He’s 5lbs higher here, while he does also have to defy a 7lbs swing with Ruth Carr’s reopposing gelding.
However, he could well have better to come, and while in his current vein of form he may well be destined for further success, so he is worth sticking with.
Andy Clark is a British betting analyst and the founder and editor of Thatsagoal, a UK sports betting comparison site operated by Thatsagoal Media Limited. He has over 20 years of betting experience across football and horse racing, and personally tests every bookmaker account reviewed on the site.
