Horse Racing tips: The best bets for EVERY Pontefract race on Monday

12.20pm – Lost My Sock

It is worth sitting up and taking note when one of Tim Easterby’s two-year-olds runs well on debut, as they usually improve a bundle for the outing, and LOST MY SOCK is the selection following his third place at Newcastle. Lockdown showed promise on the same card, having lost ground at the start, and he is feared most. There are interesting newcomers from the Fahey, Ryan and Johnston stables.

12.50pm – Bowman

It’s hard to get away from BOWMAN. He didn’t appear unfancied at Lingfield and did well to be bang there at the finish after playing his part in a fierce early pace. Airflow finished in front of Voodoo Whodoo at Newcastle and can do so again. He’s the danger.

1.20pm – Hurcle

Recent Kempton winner Meraas is very much respected but this could go to HURCLE, who performed creditably when a slow-starting third to the improving Corvair at Lingfield last time out in March. Corvair is also considered, along with Romero.

1.50pm – Splinter

There’s good reason to believe both SPLINTER and Returnofthemac can improve on their Newcastle efforts but the former, who was such an eyecatcher at York last season, is taken to reverse placings with the O’Meara runner. Alchimista has to be feared.

2.20pm – Billy Roberts

Edgar Allan Poe is a tempting option given his fine course record, while Kind Review has to be respected under a 5lb penalty for Saturday’s win at Leicester, but preference is for BILLY ROBERTS on his first outing since November. He ran well more often than not last year, including on the two occasions he returned from a break. River Dawn and Star Of Valour were in good form on AW when last seen, and Mythical Madness and Makthecat could also be in the mix.

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2.50pm – Antonia De Vega

The stand-out form contender is ANTONIA DE VEGA, who ran well in Group 1 races on her final two starts last season. She goes well fresh and should be tough to beat. One who could emerge as a threat is Specialise, a lightly raced 4yo who could be just the type to continue to improve this year for Roger Varian. Eva Maria could appreciate the step up to 1m4f and is an each-way player.

3.25pm – Revolver

He didn’t show much over 7f last autumn on his first three starts but REVOLVER could be a typical Sir Mark Prescott-trained improver now upped in distance for his handicap debut. Dangeroffizz has a similar profile and is feared most, although cases can also be made for Baltic Wolve, My Girl Maggie and Dangeroffizz.

3.55pm – Lady Shanawell

A low-grade handicap and wide open. Others have been in better form but LADY SHANAWELL, a dual winning hurdler, will appreciate returning to turf and her mark has never been lower. Stablemate Calevade gives Ben Haslam a strong hand. Nearly There is also high up the list.

4.25pm – Celtic Artisan

A chance is taken on CELTIC ARTISAN, who was runner-up on his last visit here and has the benefit of some recent match practice. Greengage and Going Native would be dangerous if able to translate their AW improvement to turf, with the latter having not looked back since fitted with blinkers. She’s feared most, with Royal Shaheen best of the remainder.

5pm – Canasta

James Fanshawe’s CANASTA wasn’t seen to best effect in a steadily run 1m affair last time out and, on the pick of her AW efforts at this trip, she’s a player. There’s no reason why she won’t be as able on turf. Embrace The Moment is second call, ahead of George Mallory.