Gosden in Pontefract raid with Seelo

John Gosden may have endured a frustrating two days at Epsom, but he looks to have strong claims at Pontefract with Seelo tonight.

The Newmarket handler will have been delighted to see Izzi Top place in the Oaks on Friday, but he missed out on further glory when Nationalism got going too late in the Diomed and Masked Marvel could not serve it up to his Derby rivals.

A veteran of just two races, Seelo did well to score at Yarmouth before finding just one too good on his return at Newbury and attempts to get back to winning ways in the Racing UK On Channel 432 Handicap.

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The sixth that day has since gone on to score twice in lesser grades, and though he has a 3lb hike in the handicap to contend with, he looks capable of getting involved where it matters.

Gosden’s stable jockey William Buick rides for Mark Tompkins in the Fathers’ Day On June 19th Packages Handicap, but the one to be on may be Keith Dalgleish’s Apache Ridge.

Weight problems meant Dalgleish had to quit the saddle at an early age, but he has made a promising start to his training career.

He has certainly hit his stride in recent days, sending out three winners last week and his five-year-old looked ready for a return to the winner’s enclosure when third at Carlisle last month.

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Given another chance off the same handicap mark, the son of Indian Ridge looks likely to play a major role in the outcome of this trappy sprint handicap.

However, nap of the day comes in the Mr Wolf Sprint Handicap in the shape of Fieldgunner Kirkup.

The Acclamation gelding looked a speedy sort as a juvenile, and showed his liking for this track when opening his account at the third attempt in October.

David Barron’s charge made light of a lengthy absence after that when returning at Thirsk, as he was part of a three-way dash to the line.

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Just a head away from eventual winner Dream Catcher that day, the trio pulled over four lengths clear of the rest of the field, promising much for the future.

The first and third have let the form down somewhat since, but Fieldgunner Kirkup would have been clear of them in a few more strides and the stiff finish at Pontefract should be playing to his strengths.

Mr Wolf himself does not qualify for the race named after him as it is a long time since he was a three-year-old, but he lines up in the totepool A Better Way To Bet Handicap.

A veteran of no less than 102 races, John Quinn’s charge can never be ruled out at Pontefract, where he has tasted success on no less than eight occasions, including in this race in 2009.

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However, there are some decent rivals in this contest, including Jigajig, who has the assistance of the champion jockey in the plate tonight.

Kevin Ryan’s runner has dropped to a mark 1lb lower than when last successful, and he looks likely to pose a major threat.

Halyard can land the Mercers Law Handicap at Windsor.

The four-year-old does not boast a prolific wins-to-runs ratio but two victories in 10 starts is not too bad and he looks a horse who could be on the upgrade.

Walter Swinburn’s charge failed to strike in two juvenile starts and he took a while to get going last term, too, finally hitting the mark at the sixth attempt on the Kempton all-weather last September.

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He was expected to go on from that again when returned to the same track later that month but he put up no sort of show and finished well in arrears.

Given a long break after that disappointment, Swinburn sent him to Bath for his comeback run last month and he relished the firm surface there in winning a relatively weak event.

However, Halyard can be expected to improve a little for the run and having been raised just 4lb for that victory, he could still be on a workable mark.

Cockney Rocker is an intriguing prospect in the EBF sportingbet.com Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

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Folkestone also race and the consistent Miss Firefly can gain just rewards for her admirable attitude in the Free Trial With theprivateline.com Claiming Stakes.

Ed Dunlop’s brilliant filly Snow Fairy remains firmly on course to make her return to action in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh on June 25.

The four-year-old enjoyed a quite astounding campaign in 2010, winning the Oaks at Epsom and the Irish equivalent before taking further top-level prizes in Japan and Hong Kong.

She has not been seen since December having suffered an injury, but Dunlop is pleased with her condition and hopes to have his filly ready for a return. “We’re getting there with her and we’re very pleased with how she’s been going. She hasn’t started any fast work yet but she’s not a stuffy filly and hopefully she’ll be ready to run in the Pretty Polly Stakes, that is the target at the moment.”

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