DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SUNDAY JUNE 22
4.15 PONTEFRACT
CAPTAIN POTTER (best price 5-2) can count himself extremely unfortunate to bump into a very well handicapped horse on the up from the Fergal O’Brien stable here last time out but now going back to the same venue with seemingly nothing of that calibre in his way, Brian Ellison’s gelding can go one place better.
The five-year-old was always to the fore at the Yorkshire venue 13 days ago and a thorn in the side of the eventual winner from half a mile out but try as he might, he just couldn’t get by a mare fresh off the back of three consecutive wins with her confidence riding high.
That said, he did pull well clear of the remainder and with the speed figure pointing towards a performance way clear of his previous best, it makes total sense to stay loyal to the Azamour gelding with promising Shay Farmer helping him run off a mark of just 53.
CAPTAIN POTTER – 1-point win@5-2
4.25 HEXHAM
MARTY MCFLY (NAP) (best price 9-4) is a bit of an Oxo character but he posted a smart set of figures for the grade here last time and a chance is taken on Sandy Thomson’s gelding running to the same level under similar conditions and back over the same C&D.
Having his first attempt over fences and fitted with a tongue-tie following a disappointing effort over hurdles previously, the seven-year-old jumped and travelled nicely in behind a strong pace set at the Borders venue and when joining the front pair approaching the last, he then found a useful change of gear to come well clear on the run-in.
Compiling a useful set of figures for a Class 5 chase, most notable a significantly quicker final circuit than the other two chase races on the card, it’s fair to say the son of Getaway proved an instant success in his new discipline and even though today’s test represents a stiffer examination of his apparent improvement, the data suggests he is likely to have all bases covered.
MARTY MCFLY – 2-point win@9-4