Max to take it at Ponte

Take It To The Max has not managed to live up to some lofty expectations this year but he has gradually had his sights lowered and can return to the winner's enclosure at Pontefract this afternoon.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Sep 2010, 11:55 BST
Updated 23rd Sep 2010, 11:56 BST

After beating last weekend's Ayr Silver Cup hero Colonel Mak at the West Yorkshire venue in the summer of 2009, the son of Bahamian Bounty went on to land Newmarket's Zetland Stakes – a race that has been won by the likes of Double Trigger and Twice Over.

As a result, Middleham handler George Moore started his colt off in Sandown's Classic Trial and after making little impact in Esher, he then ran behind St Leger third Corsica and Michael Jarvis's Group performer Hot Prospect.

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He struggled in a warm Beverley handicap last time out, but he now races off a mark a stone lower than when he began his current campaign and any rain would help his cause further in the feature Simon Scrope Dalby Screw-Driver Handicap.

Henry Cecil is always a welcome visitor to Pontefract and has spotted a good opportunity for Tiger Webb in the European Breeders' Fund Frier Wood Maiden Stakes.

The Derby entry has had to settle for second best on his two starts to date, but both appearances have offered plenty of encouragement and his ever-popular handler would not be bringing him up from Warren Place just for the experience.

Similarly, Mahmood Al Zarooni, who has enjoyed an excellent first season in the Godolphin training ranks, is represented by just the one runner on the card and beaten Kempton favourite Double Dealer will appreciate the return to turf in the opening European Breeders' Fund Sheila Jack 50th Birthday Maiden Stakes.

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Sir Mark Prescott's yard is flying and the wily handler steps Memory Lane into handicap company for the first time in the Best Horse Racing Sky Channel 432 Fillies' Nursery on the back of a much-improved Kempton performance.

Recent course-and-distance scorer Bosun Breese will be a tough nut to crack in the totepool A Better Way To Bet Handicap, while Mark Johnston's Indochina is capable of breaking his duck in the Pontefract Apprentice Handicap.

York Racecourse has been announced as the inaugural winner of the National Award for Overall Excellence in Racecourse Catering, sponsored by Piper Heidsieck Champagne.

William Derby, chief executive and clerk of the course, said: "Winning the Overall Excellence Award is great recognition for the efforts of the whole team.

"I'm delighted that the judges recognised the quality and effort that is our goal across all our many restaurants and bars."

Related topics:PontefractWest Yorkshire