Pontefract - Thu 17 Sep 2026
FISCAL POLICY won this sprint in 2024 and looks to have strong claims once again. Ruth Carr's inmate returned the convincing winner in this grade back here in June and, having faced tougher assignments of late, the son of Profitable will appreciate this drop in class. Recent Kempton third Irish Nectar has to be of interest off his current mark, while Ingleby Archie and One Of Our Own look the pick of the remainder.
Our Son Oscar made an encouraging debut over C&D last month and merits serious consideration. Saying that, ASHINA looks to have the slightly stronger form. David O'Meara's filly took a big step forward when finishing a respectable third behind Rockfel entry Next Of Kin at Ayr and any further improvement could see her off the mark. Albert Mooney is a brother to a Group 2 winner and is an interesting newcomer.
Successful over 1m2f here in June, Alma Latina has yet to prove as effective over further and MORBEH makes more appeal. The Dubawi gelding steps up in distance for this and, given he won nicely over the extended 1m3f at Windsor back in May, Roger Varian's charge may well find further improvement. Newmarket scorer Traveling Man remains unexposed and may prove best of the rest.
The steadily improving RIVER NILE boasts the strongest form. The daughter of Teofilo finished a respectable third up against tougher opposition at Kempton last time and Andrew Balding's filly will be hard to keep out of the finish back on the turf. Devil's Brigade posted his best effort so far over a longer trip at Lingfield but could still make his presence felt, while the Haggas yard has won the last two renewals so Fan Me is one to note on her return.
VENETIAN LION appears tough to oppose in his hat-trick attempt. The penny has dropped for William Haggas' gelding since beginning life in handicap company when runner-up at Southwell in July before victories at Nottingham and Newmarket. A 4lb rise for the latter success is unlikely to halt his progress, with the main threat likely to come from Hale End, who was left on the same mark after finishing second at Southwell a fortnight ago. Capital Guarantee and Perfect Part appeal most of the remainder.
The hat-trick seeking Digger One has another 6lb rise to contend with after scoring on the all-weather at Kempton, but he is unbeaten in handicaps and commands the utmost respect. That said, PORT GEORGE may have his measure. The son of Golden Horn clearly benefited from a break when getting off the mark on his return at Thirsk in July and the step up in trip appears likely to yield further progression. No More Bolero and An Bradan Feasa add further spice to what looks a competitive race on paper.
Dubai Venture won here over 1m4f in July and now drops half a mile in trip after filling the runner-up spot at Redcar. He is likely to be competitive, but the unexposed THUNDER GODDESS shades the vote. Andrew Balding's filly is 2lb well-in after going close at Lingfield last week and this appears to be an excellent opportunity for her to strike. Grindleton and Regulus Black are others capable of a decent showing.
ONE OF OUR OWN looks to be back on a competitive mark and was beaten only half a length at Catterick last time, so she can go well again if building on that effort. Good Karma has remained generally competitive since winning at Wolverhampton in June and was narrowly denied at Thirsk last time after streaking well clear a few furlongs out before his lead was reduced and being out-battled late. Dropped in class, but off the same mark, he can go well again. Ideal Guest won over C&D three starts ago and, despite being below form when fourth at Thirsk last time, remains on a fair mark and can bounce back returned to this track.
WHAT A GIRL WANTS returned to form when third at Newcastle on her AW debut in a first-time hood and, with strong form claims having won well at higher levels, should be capable of winning a race of this magnitude. Our Son Oscar showed promise when third here on debut and, with a high-class sprinting sire, remains open to improvement over this trip. Albert Mooney is a well-bred Mehmas gelding who is a full-brother to high-class sprinter Caturra and represents a yard that won this last year, so he is not ruled out on debut.
TRAVELING MAN took another step forward over this trip when opening his account by two and a quarter lengths at Newmarket last time and, back in this company, can go well again despite a 5lb rise. Morbeh has been consistent since handicapping over middle distances, including completing a double at Chester and Windsor before being beaten five lengths on his hat-trick attempt at Ascot last time. With a first-time hood applied for this step back up in trip, he can go well again but more is likely required from this mark. Alma Latina was below form when fourth over 14f at Newmarket last time but, back down in trip, can bounce back with a strong overall record and a course victory over 10f win to her name.
This maiden looks set to be a contest between DEVIL'S BRIGADE and River Nile, with preference for the former. He was beaten only half a length when stepped up to 10f at Lingfield last time, and while he looked suited the longer trip that day, he should have no problem returned to a mile and could open his account. River Nile appears to be improving with each run and, having finished just over a couple of lengths behind the winner on her first outing over this distance at Kempton last time, remains open to further progress at a mile on her turf debut. Fan Me could be in the minor placings on her return from a long lay-off, having been pulled up at Newbury on her second start last July. William Haggas's yard has won the last two renewals of this, however, and the Too Darn Hot filly may have more to offer stepping up in trip on this delayed reappearance should she strip fit enough.
VENETIAN LION failed to show much in maidens but has been hugely progressive for William Haggas since going handicapping and completed a double at Newmarket last time when scoring by a neck to follow up a cosy Nottingham success. Despite another 4lb rise and a somewhat unfavourable wide draw at this track, he can complete the hat-trick. Hale End has been in good form of late, winning at Ayr three starts ago and was beaten two lengths when runner-up last time. On the same mark, he should remain competitive in his current mood. Capital Guarantee returned to form when dropped a furlong and finishing third at Newcastle last time and, back up to a mile from the same mark, can go well again if building on that effort.
DIGGER ONE has completed a double while stepping up in trip on his last two starts, most recently scoring by a length and a half over 16f at Kempton, and this further increase in distance should suit his strong stamina, so despite another 6lb rise, he can complete the hat-trick. Port George improved for the step up to 14f when winning by over a length at Thirsk last time and, having more stamina to draw on, can go well again despite tackling this marathon trip from a 4lb higher mark. No More Bolero has been running consistently well over hurdles and, having been better than the bare result when last seen on the Flat, can go well again from 1lb lower.
THUNDER GODDESS has improved since going handicapping over this trip and was beaten only a head at Lingfield last time, with the winner just doing enough. On the same mark as that effort, she has a very good chance to open her account at the sixth time of asking for Andrew Balding. Dubai Venture has been in good form and, having not quite seen out 14f when runner-up last time, can go well again with this drop back to 10f likely to suit. Grindleton was closer to his best when dropped in trip at Ffos Las last time and, only 1lb higher, can build on that effort from a competitive mark.
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