Pontefract — 5 August 2026

Class 6 · 1m2f5y · Good To Firm · 7 ran

We passed. Likely winner: Sunny Orange (9/4)

Won by: Star Start (IRE) at 11/4F · then Sunny Orange (IRE)

What we said: Sunny Orange heads the market on the strength of a string of in-the-money finishes but hasn't found the winner's enclosure in this sequence, and Star Start, Max Of Stars and Glitter Code all carry legitimate claims of their own with little to split them on official ratings or recent form; with four runners bunched on ability in a seven-runner amateur handicap there's no horse I can isolate with real conviction. The first-time blinkers on Glitter Code and the steam into Max Of Stars are both noted but neither tips the balance decisively enough to build a case around.

Class 4 · 0m6f0y · Good To Firm · 8 ran

Not a bet. The horse we made most likely: Rock Steady Beat (5/6)

Won by: Bugzy (GB) at 15/2 · then Lady Henshaw (IRE), Our Son Oscar (IRE)

What we said: Three solid efforts to open a career (5-2-3) show a horse already crossing the paint at the right barrier, and the rail draw at a track where every race bends plays straight into that consistency. Clifford Lee and this yard both fire well at Pontefract, and dropping into this maiden off proven placed form looks the swiftest route to a first win.

Class 5 · 1m6y · Good To Firm · 6 ran

Not a bet. The horse we made most likely: Garden Oasis (10/11)

Won by: Spirit Genie (IRE) at 9/4 · then Alessia Fernanda (IRE)

What we said: Consistent this campaign (338542) and a proven Pontefract performer for Tim Easterby's yard, the veteran gelding has the clear form edge in a small, workmanlike field and the drop into this grade lets him operate near his ceiling. First-time cheekpieces are a slight unknown but they're being added to a horse already racing well, not to mask a fade.

Class 5 · 5f3y · Good To Firm · 10 ran

Not a bet. The horse we made most likely: Spirit Of Applause (7/2)

Won by: Great (GB) at 5/2F · then Spirit Of Applause (GB), Missmimi (GB)

What we said: First-time blinkers go on a gelding whose sire Charm Spirit and damsire Acclamation both relish this fast ground, and his recent form figures (3-4330) show he's rarely out of the frame at this level. The market move into 7/2 reflects genuine confidence from a yard trying to unlock more from a horse who's already racing well, and today's ground plays to his pedigree strengths.

Class 4 · 6f · Good To Firm · 8 ran

Our bet: The Good Biscuit (9/4)

Won by: Alfa Whiteburd (IRE) at 9/4F · then Aberama Gold (GB), Mae Amor (IRE)

What we said: Two wins on the bounce and the pick of the draw at a course where the low stalls hold a real, well-documented edge every time out, and the Exceed And Excel damsire line adds a going tick in its favour on this fast surface. The scratching of Willolarupi, the other market-backed low-drawn runner, hands this horse a cleaner run at the rail with one less rival to contend with for the inside advantage. Sitting on a career-best figure with the yard in decent touch, this looks the most complete case in the race even carrying a short price.

Class 4 · 2m1f27y · Good To Firm · 3 ran

We passed. Likely winner: Division Day (11/10)

Won by: Division Day (GB) at 1/2F

What we said: A three-horse affair where the market has essentially got it right: Something's rock-steady placing form (831232) makes him solid without being spectacular, Division Day has bounced back to form and a leading yard clearly fancies the first-time cheekpieces given the market move, but that intent is already fully priced into 11/10, and Anzac Day carries a real going question with his sire's fast-ground weakness on Good To Firm. None of the three offers a gap between what I'd rate them and what the price demands, and with poor recent trainer form (4% last 14 days) clouding Division Day's steam, there's no clean read here worth backing with real money.