3 minutes Stephen Welch makes his picks from today's four race cards.
There are four race meetings taking place today including cards at Pontefract, Ffos Las, Windsor and Wolverhampton (AW). Looking ahead to all 27 of Monday’s races, I have hand-picked one selection from each card. Check out today’s racing NAPS below.
15:15 Ffos Las
Voyager's Quest @ 3A's Leisure Handicap
CALIBOS - 11/4
This low-grade handicap offers a winnable opportunity for a few in-form types and Calibos stands out as a consistent performer with untapped potential over this trip. He’s placed on his last three starts since joining the Daniel & Claire Kubler yard, most recently chasing home a progressive winner at Wolverhampton over this distance. That run came in first-time cheekpieces and he travelled like the best horse for much of the race before being outstayed late on.
Back on turf today and still unexposed at 1m4f, Calibos has more to come. He’s been shaping like a winner-in-waiting and this looks a good opening for him with Richard Kingscote booked again. The return to a galloping track like Ffos Las should play to his strengths and with most rivals having questions to answer, he makes plenty of appeal.
16:00 Pontefract
Pontefract Ladies Day Wednesday 6th August Handicap
GLENDOWN - 5/2
Tim Easterby’s gelding showed clear signs of a return to form when finishing third at Ripon just 11 days ago, shaping well in what looked a stronger contest than this. That effort hinted he’s on the cusp of a revival and with conditions to suit and a 7lbs lower mark than for last year’s C&D victory, he’s handicapped to strike.
Glendown is a previous course winner who handles Pontefract’s stiff finish well and that proven track record gives him an edge in a race where many rivals have something to prove at this level. David Allan takes the reins again and with cheekpieces retained, connections clearly feel there’s more to come.
19:45 Windsor
Download The Fitzdares App Now Handicap (GBBplus Race)
DANTE'S LAD - 13/8
A steadily progressive type from the George Boughey stable, Dante’s Lad returned to winning ways when stepped up to this trip at York last month, getting on top late in a tight finish and showing the kind of resolution that bodes well for further improvement. That took his handicap record to 2-4 and he remains lightly raced with the scope to go on again.
The handicapper has only nudged him up 2lbs for that success and with Billy Loughnane retaining the ride, there’s every reason to expect another bold showing. This son of Too Darn Hot appears well suited to a strong-run 1m2f and arrives here fresher than most. With a number of these arriving with questions to answer, he’s a standout contender.
20:30 Wolverhampton
HENERY HAWK - 6/1
All five of Henery Hawk’s career wins have come on Tapeta and he returned to winning ways with a convincing success over this C&D just 20 days ago. That effort came in a classified event, but the manner of the victory suggests he’s capable of holding his own now back in a handicap despite a 9lbs rise.
The return to Wolverhampton is a big plus given his record at the track and Charlie Bennett is back aboard for the in-form Linda Perratt team. From a good draw in stall 3 and with confidence restored, he’s fancied to double up in what looks a winnable Class 6 contest.
