🏇 PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM - 2021 SEASON FINALE - MEETING #16 18th OCTOBER

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2021.

Welcome to this our final meeting of the 2021 season taking place on Monday 18th October. 

1st race 1.15pm.
Going: Soft, Good to soft in places.

This will be our FINAL meeting of the year as the turf flat season begins to draw to a close. The last day of the 2021 season sees our final Listed Race where the 2yos take to the stage in the EBF Silver Tankard Stakes – Pythagoras won the 2020 renewal ‘behind closed doors’ for Richard Fahey and Paul Hanagan. There is also another stayers contest 'The Phil Bull Trophy' over 2m 2f and due off around 2:55pm, It’s always a popular and well attended race meeting also a chance to do some very early Christmas shopping when the Injured Jockeys Fund brings their stall.

ALL results for these fixtures are recorded to a level stake at Starting Price (SP), and will also show any forecast results too in the daily results but these do not count for the profit / loss figures.

After a good opening we have seen a few winners and at least secured a small profit on the last two meetings up till last week, sadly that was a complete blow out with loads of runners up and no wins. So sadly we saw our deficit climb again to -49.027 points onto this final meeting this afternoon.

Going / Weather: 
The forecast going is now currently reported as 'Soft, Good to soft in places' while the weather for Monday afternoon is for a generally cloudy day with some showers expected and a breeze the maximum temperature around the 16C mark.

Here are our selections for the eight races taking place on Monday afternoon, remember it's a very simple selection process using stalls one and two in every race;

13:15  Northern Commercials Iveco And Fiat Restricted Novice Stakes (2yo)
6f  [Class 5  12 runners]
(1) - Finbar's Lad.  [11th @16/1]
(2) - Fantasy Navigator.  [6th @150/1]

13:45  Harriet Bethell's IJF Pontefract Course Walk Nursery (2yo)
1m 6y  [Class 6  16 runners]
(1) - Greatness Awaits.  [2nd @5/1]
(2) - Grifter.  [9th @4/1]

14:20  British Stallion Studs EBF Silver Tankard Stakes (Listed) (2yo)
1m 6y  [Class 1  12 runners]
(1) - Mahagoni.  [4th @12/1]
(2) - Mr Professor.  [WON @16/1]

14:55  Phil Bull Trophy Conditions Stakes
2m 2f 2y  [Class 2  5 runners]
(1) - Stag Horn.  [WON @4/7f]
(2) - Warranty.  [3rd @50/1]

15:30  Allen Hinchcliffe Memorial Handicap
1m 2f 5y  [Class 4  11 runners]
(1) - Kayfast Warrior.  [4th @9/1]
(2) - Thunderclap.  [WON @11/4]

16:05  Steve Lumb Quest For The Cheapest Pint Handicap (Div One)
6f  [Class 5  12 runners]
(1) - Patsy Fagan.  [WON @12/1]
(2) - Stallone.  [2nd @2/1f]

16:40  Steve Lumb Quest For The Cheapest Pint Handicap (Div Two)
6f  [Class 5  11 runners]
(1) - Mashaan.  [8th @14/1]
(2) - Impeller.  [7th @8/1]

17:15  Racing TV Club Day Handicap
5f 3y  [Class 4  14 runners]
(1) - Black Friday.  [WON @11/2]
(2) - Ehrmann.  [11th @5/1]

Staked - 16 points.
Returns - 41.82 points.

This has been a frustrating 2021 season here, we had a nice start early on but sadly begun to fall behind and not recovered enough. After the opening fifteen meetings we are sadly still -49.027 points behind coming into this final fixture, the results for today will be updated during Monday afternoon as we try to claw back a little more again in the season finale. Nice winner in the third race, then followed up with a few more winners this afternoon. Meant we will at least end the season on a winning meeting, small victories and all that, looks likely we will still be down for the year, but after sixteen meetings it's looking a lot better than it was.
Profit on the day of +25.82 points.
Therefore we ended the season down, but not disheartened, overall loss was reduced to -23.207 points to a level point stake at SP. 

That is all for this season here I hope you have been well through 2021 and we'll return in April for the start of the 2022 season.

🏇 PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM - 2021 SEASON - MEETING #15 4th OCTOBER

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2021.

Welcome to this our fifteenth meeting of the 2021 season taking place on Monday 4th October. 

1st race 1.39pm.
Going: Soft

This will be our penultimate meeting of the year as the season begins to draw to a close. As the nights draw in, Mondays in October can seem a bit dismal but we’ve got something to brighten even the darkest of Autumnal days! There will be eight exciting races to enjoy on the day now that the final handicap has been divided.

ALL results for these fixtures are recorded to a level stake at Starting Price (SP), and will also show any forecast results too in the daily results but these do not count for the profit / loss figures.

After a good opening we have seen a few winners and at least secured a small profit on the last two meetings up till last week, sadly that was a complete blow out with loads of runners up and no wins. So sadly we saw our deficit climb again to -41.227 points onto this fifteenth meeting this afternoon.

Going / Weather: The forecast going is now currently reported as 'Soft' while the weather for Monday afternoon is for a generally cloudy day with some showers expected and a breeze the maximum temperature around the 16C mark.

Here are our selections for the eight races taking place on Monday afternoon, remember it's a very simple selection process using stalls one and two in every race;

13:39 Northern Commercials Drive Away Range EBF Novice Stakes
1m 2f 5y  [Class 4  7 runners]
(1) - Graffiti.  [4th @8/1]
(2) - Auntie Margaret.  [2nd @10/3]

14:14  Napoleons Casino Bradford Nursery
6f  [Class 4  10 runners]
(1) - Power Generation.  [7th @16/1]
(2) - Bollin May.  [5th @20/1]

14:44  Leslie Burton (Fisher) Handicap
1m 6y  [Class 4  13 runners]
(1) - Crown Princess.  [6th @14/1]
(2) - Omary Amber.  [5th @14/1]

15:14  RacingTV HD Bluff Cove Handicap
2m 2f 2y  [Class 5  8 runners]
(1) - Wynford.  [WON @3/1]
(2) - Severus Alexander.  [7th @17/2]

15:44  House That Jack Built Handicap
6f  [Class 5  17 runners]
(1) - Nearly A Gonna.  [6th @9/2]
(2) - Harmony Lil. [3rd @12/1]

16:15  Injured Jockeys Fund Maiden Stakes
1m 4f 5y  [Class 3  8 runners]
(1) - Tiger Beetle.  [3rd @7/5]
(2) - Doctor Parnassus.  [2nd @7/2]

16:45  Go Racing In Yorkshire Handicap (Div One)
1m 6y  [Class 5  10 runners]
(1) - Dark Spec.  [WON @16/5f]
(2) - Big Muddy.  [9th @80/1]

17:15  Go Racing In Yorkshire Handicap (Div Two)
1m 6y  [Class 5  11 runners]
(1) - Regular Income.  [10th @4/1]
(2) - Coase.  [5th @5/4f]

Staked - 16 points.
Returns - 8.2 points.

Having started the 2021 season afresh, we had a nice start early on but sadly begun to fall behind now as we begin to reach the latter part of this season on the track. After the opening fourteen meetings we did have a couple of winning fixtures but are sadly still -41.227 points behind coming into this fifteenth fixture, the results for today will be updated during Monday afternoon as we try to claw back a little more again. Only two winners, meant a -7.8 points loss today, and that's now -49.027 overall. 

The final fixture here for this season will be held on Monday 18th October hope you have been well through 2021 and we'll return in April for the start of the 2022 season.

🏇 PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM - 2021 SEASON - MEETING #14 23rd SEPTEMBER

 

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2021.

Welcome to this our fourteenth meeting of the 2021 season taking place on Thursday 23rd September. 

1st race 1.45pm.
Going: Good to firm

The highlight of our second September meeting is the Dalby Screw Driver Handicap. In the early 19th century, ‘Screw Driver’ set the Pontefract pulses racing. He won at least two ‘Cup’ races, back then these consisted of four heats over two miles on the same day. The overall winner being the horse with the best aggregate score over the 8 miles! He is the earliest Pontefract course specialist on record. Today's race is due off at 14:55 and is now run over 1m 2f instead of the longer staying trip, plus they only have to race once today not four times. 

ALL results for these fixtures are recorded to a level stake at Starting Price (SP), and will also show any forecast results too in the daily results but these do not count for the profit / loss figures. After a good opening we have seen a few winners and at least secured a small profit on the last two meetings up till last week, sadly that was a complete blow out with loads of runners up and no wins. So sadly we saw our deficit climb again to -36.88 points onto this fourteenth meeting this afternoon.

Going / Weather: The forecast going is now currently reported as 'Good to firm' while the weather for Thursday afternoon is for a generally cloudy day with a light breeze but we are not expecting any showers the forecast maximum temperature around the 20C mark.

Here are our selections for the seven races taking place on Thursday afternoon, remember it's a very simple selection process using stalls one and two in every race;

13:45 Northern Commercials Used Vehicles Ebf Maiden Stakes

6f  [Class 5  4 runners]

(1) - Kodebreaker.  [3rd 10/1]
(2) - Eldrickjones.  [WON @2/13f]

14:20 Irish Stallion Farms Ebf Fillies' Nursery Handicap

1m 6y  [Class 4  6 runners]

(1) - Turn Back Time.  [2nd @9/4f]

(2) - Fuente Ovejuna.  [3rd @5/2]

14:55 Simon Scrope Dalby Screw-driver Handicap

1m 2f 5y  [Class 3  4 runners]

(1) - Living Legend.  [WON @7/2]
(2) - Tiger Beetle.  [3rd @9/4]

15:30 Atlas Leisure Homes Ltd Handicap

6f  [Class 4  8 runners]

(1) - Lady Nectar.  [7th @15/2]

(2) - Oso Rapido.  [WON @3/1]

16:05 Racing Tv On Channel 426 Handicap

5f 3y  [Class 3  8 runners]

(1) - Ben Macdui.  [5th @7/1]

(2) - Rayong.  [2nd @11/2]

16:40 Charles Stewart Chartered Accountant Steve Evans Memorial Restricted Novice Stakes

1m 6y  [Class 5  12 runners]

(1) - Wakey Wakey.  [4th @5/6f]
(2) - Lituus.  [11th @12/1]

17:15 Malcolm Willstrop Memorial Apprentice Handicap

5f 3y  [Class 6  7 runners]

(1) - Jorvik Prince.  [7th @9/2]
(2) - Gorgeous General.  [2nd @6/1]

Staked -- 14 points.

Returns -- 9.653 points.
Having started the 2021 season afresh, we had a nice start early on but sadly begun to fall behind now as we begin to reach the latter part of this season on the track. After the opening thirteen meetings we did have a couple of winning fixtures but are sadly still -36.88 points behind coming into this fourteenth fixture, the results for today will be updated during Thursday afternoon as we try to claw back a little more again. Small loss again today, shame, now -41.227 points behind with only two more fixtures to save us. 

The penultimate fixture here for this season will be held on Monday 4th October so we do hope you will follow the action for these final meetings of 2021.

🏇 PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM - 2021 SEASON - MEETING #13 16th SEPTEMBER

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2021.

Welcome to this our thirteenth meeting of the 2021 season taking place on Thursday 16th September. 

1st race 2.15pm.
Going: Good to firm

Our second Art of Racing raceday will be on Thursday 16th September and will celebrate everything we know and love about The Sport of Kings. A day truly dedicated to The Art of Racing will feature a seven race card with the highlight the £30,000 EBF Fillies’ Handicap over 6f. Just three more meetings to follow to complete our season here in Yorkshire.This afternoon's 'feature' event on the card is the EBF Fillies Handicap over six furlongs. This is due off at 15:25 today,  will see if Vanitas remains in the final declarations later in the week a course and distance winner back in June [sadly she doesn't appear in the seven runner field]. This race was won last season by Simon Crisford's filly 'Last Surprise' pictured below.

ALL results for these fixtures are recorded to a level stake at Starting Price (SP), and will also show any forecast results too in the daily results but these do not count for the profit / loss figures. After a good opening we have seen a few winners and at least secured a small profit on the last two meetings. Despite this though we still have to carry over a deficit of -24.88 points onto this thirteenth meeting this afternoon.

Going / Weather: The forecast going is now currently reported as 'Good to firm' while the weather for Thursday afternoon is for a generally cloudy day with a light breeze but we are not expecting any showers the forecast maximum temperature around the 21C mark.

Here are our selections for the seven races taking place on Thursday afternoon, remember it's a very simple selection process using stalls one and two in every race;

14:15  Northern Commercials - Service, Sales & Parts Novice Stakes

6f  [Class 5  9 runners]

(1) - Paradise Of Love.  [6th @28/1]
(2) - Selfish Brian.  [7th @25/1]

14:50  Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap

1m 2f 5y  [Class 4  6 runners]

(1) - Liberation Point.  [2nd @11/8f]

(2) - Culture.  [5th @20/1]

15:25  British Ebf Premier Fillies' Handicap

6f  [Class 2  6 runners]

(1) - Lady Celia.  [4th @9/1]
(2) - Silent Flame.  [2nd @15/8f]

16:00  Madam Lilibet Handicap

2m 1f 27y  [Class 5  12 runners]

(1) - Dereham.  [2nd @14/1]

(2) - The Rutland Rebel.  [7th @7/1]

16:35  Nadeen Dawson Memorial Maiden Stakes

1m 6y  [Class 5  8 runners]

(1) - Balqaa.  [7th @22/1]

(2) - Madame Glitters.  [Non Runner]

17:10  Matty Bown Handicap

1m 6y  [Class 4  7 runners]

(1) - Just Hiss.  [Non Runner]
(2) - Ghost Rider.  [2nd @7/2]

17:40  Like Racing Tv On Facebook Apprentice Handicap

6f  [Class 5  8 runners]

(1) - Singe Anglais.  [2nd @6/5f]
(2) - Round The Island.  [4th @5/1]

Staked - 14 points.

Returns - 2 points.
Having started the 2021 season afresh, we had a nice start early on but sadly begun to fall behind now as we passed half way of this full season on the track. After the opening twelve meetings we did have a couple of winning fixtures but are sadly still -24.88 points behind coming into this thirteenth fixture, the results for today will be updated during Thursday afternoon as we try to claw back a little more again. 

What a frustrating day that was, 5 seconds and 2 non runners, so we losing today again. -12 points overall sadly puts us back up again to -36.88 points. 

The fourteenth fixture here will be held on Thursday 23rd September so we do hope you will follow the action throughout the season.

🏇 PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM - 2021 SEASON - MEETING #12 3rd SEPTEMBER

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2021.

Welcome to this our twelfth meeting of the 2021 season taking place on Friday 3rd September. 

1st race 5.00pm.
Going: Good to firm [Good in places]

Friday night is Queen Night and a beer festival ! When you add in a nice card of horseracing too what's not to love this Friday, and a great way to kick off your weekend. If you’re after a fantastic night out with great racing, a fabulous atmosphere, award-winning beers and lagers and one of the UK’s best Queen bands, then this is the night for you. Magic Queen re-enacts the glorious days of legendary rock band Queen, including the glam of the ’70s and the magic of the ’80s, proving themselves to be one the most dynamic and exciting Queen Tribute Bands in Europe.Magic Queen’s high-energy shows showcase the main greatest hits and assure the audience the maximum entertainment with dancing from the very first second of the show! Concentrating on sounding like the original artists, Magic Queen delivers a blast of entertainment in every single show, interacting with the audience to make them live an unforgettable experience.The band will be playing the greatest Queen hits in their brilliant live set straight after the last race. We also have Pennine Brewery, Revolutions Brewing Co, Ossett Brewery and Bier Huis joining us for our annual Beer Festival. There are six fantastic races to keep you entertained throughout the evening too! It’s always a hugely popular evening

The 'feature' event on the card is the 6pm Volkswagen Van Centre Leeds Optional Claiming Handicap over a mile trip. I'm waiting to see if "Give It Some Teddy" stands his ground once the declarations are finalised later in the week in this one (sadly he doesn't), while in the 5f finale @19:30 we would like to see "Ventura Express" who has already won twice at Ponte earlier in 2021, and pleased to see that he is in the line up.  

ALL results for these fixtures are recorded to a level stake at Starting Price (SP), and will also show any forecast results too in the daily results but these do not count for the profit / loss figures. After a good opening we have seen a few winners but despite this overall after the latest meeting we still have to carry over a deficit of -30.63 points onto this twelfth meeting this evening.

Going / Weather: The forecast going is now currently reported as 'Good to firm - Good in places' while the weather for Friday evening is for a generally cloudy day but not expecting any showers and the forecast maximum temperature around the 16C mark.

Here are our selections for the six races taking place on Friday evening, remember it's a very simple selection process using stalls one and two in every race;

17:00  Northern Commercials Iveco 's' Way Ebf Restricted Novice Stakes

6f  [Class 4  12 runners]

(1) - Clarets Glory.  [WON @10/1]
(2) - Fiftyshadesaresdev.  [2nd @14/1]    f/c £145.90

17:30  Rod Wooler 'mucker' Memorial Nursery Handicap

6f  [Class 4  6 runners]

(1) - Chelsea Annie.  [5th @10/3]

(2) - Stripzee.   [6th @11/1]

18:00   Volkswagen Van Centre Leeds Optional Claiming Handicap

1m 6y  [Class 2  10 runners]

(1) - Enigmatic.   [WON @3/1]
(2) - Streak Lightning.   [10th @14/1]

18:30  Happy Belated 50th Birthday Andrew Askin Maiden Handicap

1m 2f 5y  [Class 5  6 runners]

(1) - Broughtons Mission.   [4th @85/40f]

(2) - Bryanwood.   [2nd @13/2]

19:00  Fbs Chartered Accountants Handicap

6f  [Class 5  12 runners]

(1) - Merry Secret.   [12th @12/1]

(2) - Singe Anglais.   [3rd @4/1]

19:30  Engagement Of Adrian And Julia Handicap

5f 3y  [Class 3  7 runners]

(1) - King of Stars.   [WON @7/4f]

(2) - Ginger Jam.   [4th @15/2]

Staked -- 12 points.

Returns -- 17.75 points.
Having started the 2021 season afresh, we had a nice start early on but sadly begun to fall behind now as we passed half way of this full season on the track. After the opening eleven meetings we are sadly -30.63 points behind coming into this twelfth fixture, the results for today will be updated during Friday evening. A couple of early winners secures a profit for tonight's meeting and we'll hopefully continue as the night progresses, well we only got one more winner in the last, but it's a profit of +5.75 on the night to SP and reduces our season loss to -24.88 points.

The thirteenth fixture here will be held on Thursday 16th September so we do hope you will follow the action throughout the season.

🏇 PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM - 2021 SEASON - MEETING #11 15th AUGUST

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2021.

Welcome to this our eleventh meeting of the 2021 season taking place on Sunday 15th August. 

1st race 2.00pm.
Going: Good to firm [Good in places]

Tickets are now being sold for future events and selling quickly, it will be nice to see a big attendance at courses around the country for the summer. Under the current ‘roadmap’, the racing here will see (limited) numbers of spectators returning to Pontefract for this Sunday afternoon meeting on 15th August. For as long as social distancing remains in place, however, the ‘normal’ raceday remains some way in the future. With all ‘essential workers’ (BHA and Racecourse officials, stable staff, trainers, jockeys etc) having to undergo health screening before each raceday, and then having to be kept at least 2m away from owners and (when admitted) other racegoers, these restrictions effectively rule out any use of the Main Stand, and parts of the Second Stand, by the general public. Indeed two of the dining rooms in the Main Stand have been transformed into changing areas for jockeys to ensure that they are able to maintain social distance.

The following is a quote from the official Pontefract Racing site 'A limited number of tickets for the following race meetings are now on sale:

* Sunday 15th August – 3 enclosures (Premier, Grandstand & Paddock and Picnic)

Tickets for September and October meetings will also go on sale after the government announcement of an ease to restrictions.

Our final Family Day of 2021 on Sunday 15th August will be run once again as The In The Zone Raceday.

We are setting up zones around the Enclosures to offer racegoers the chance to engage with and learn a little more about different parts of the industry:

• The Jockey Zone – pre register for an ex- jockeys take on how to ride Ponte. Walk the last 6 furlongs at 11.30am (numbers limited). To register, either give us a call on 01977 781307 or send an email.
• The Industry Zone – Behind the Scenes Tour in the Weighing Room from 12.30pm – 12.45pm (numbers strictly limited)
• The Horse Zone – Join the ex racehorses during a parade of ex racers from 12.45pm – 1pm
• The Quiet Zone – Enjoy a free tea or coffee with us while you read the Racing Post and sort out your selections. Peace and quiet between 12.30pm and 1pm in the Betting Hall
• The Newcomers Zone – Meet our ‘Here to Help’ team who’ll show you around and explain how an afternoon at the races works. Join us on the Marquee Site – 1.00pm
• The Tipster Zone – Listen to the expert Punters Panel in the Winners Enclosure at 1.30pm
• The Kids Zone – Enjoy the Kids zone throughout the afternoon in the Picnic Enclosure.

Onto the racing itself and the highlight of our final Family Day of 2021 is the EBF Highfield Farm Flying Fillies Listed contest which is due to go off at 15:10 and worth over £32,000 to the winner. This contest was won last year by Stormy Girl, (pictured above) a first listed event win for trainer Rebecca Menzies and ridden by Cam Hardie. You can guarantee there’ll be some very speedy equine ladies on display. 

ALL results for these fixtures are recorded to a level stake at Starting Price (SP), and will also show any forecast results too in the daily results but these do not count for the profit / loss figures. After a good opening we have seen a few winners but despite this overall after the latest meeting we still have to carry over a deficit of -33.88 points onto this eleventh meeting this afternoon.

Going / Weather: The forecast going is now currently reported as 'Good - Good to firm in places' while the weather for Sunday afternoon is for a generally cloudy day with a high probability of showers but hopefully not too many. We are seeing a forecast maximum temperature around the 21C mark.

Here are our selections for the seven races taking place on Sunday afternoon, remember it's a very simple selection process using stalls one and two in every race;

14:00  Trevor Woods Memorial British Ebf Novice Stakes

5f 3y  [Class 4  4 runners]

(1) -- Where's Diana.  [2nd @15/8]
(2) -- Lady Ardad.  [4th @10/1]

14:35  Mary Clark 'favourite Day Of The Year' Handicap

1m 4f 5y  [Class 3  4 runners]

(1) -- Dash Of Spice.   [WON @11/1]

(2) -- Possible Man.  [2nd @7/4]

15:10  Ebf Stallions Highfield Farm Flying Fillies' Stakes

6f  [Class 1  12 runners]

(1) -- Shuthoor.  [9th @40/1]
(2) -- Double Or Bubble.  [WON @5/4f]

15:45  William Hill Pick Your Places Handicap

1m 6y  [Class 3  4 runners]

(1) -- Duty Of Care.  [WON @2/1jf]

(2) -- Tadreeb.  [4th @2/1jf]

16:20  Moor Top Farm Shop Hemsworth Handicap

2m 1f 27y  [Class 5  7 runners]

(1) -- Stonific.  [5th @9/1]

(2) -- Retrospect.  [4th @11/2]

16:55  Happy Retirement Mick Henshaw Novice Stakes

1m 6y  [Class 4  8 runners]

(1) -- Broughtons Mission.  [2nd @7/1]
(2) -- Maxios Show.  [7th @10/3]

17:25  Queen Night Friday 3rd September Handicap

6f  [Class 5  8 runners]

(1) -- Vardon Flyer.  [8th @14/1]

(2) -- General Sago.  [3rd @4/1]

Staked -- 14 points.

Returns -- 17.25 points.
Having started the 2021 season afresh, we did start reasonably well but sadly begun to fall behind now as we passed half way of this full season on the track. After the opening ten meetings we are sadly -33.88 points behind coming into this eleventh fixture, the results for today will be updated during Sunday afternoon. Three winners securing a profit so far today, didn't pick up any more with the final few races sadly however have at least reduced the losses by a few points to -30.63 points to carry over to the next meeting.

The twelfth fixture here will be held on Friday 3rd September so we do hope you will follow the action throughout the season.

🏇 PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2021 SEASON -- MEETING #10 4th AUGUST

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2021.

Welcome to our tenth meeting of the 2021 season taking place on Wednesday 4th August. 

1st race 2.00pm.
Going: Good [Good to firm in places]

Tickets are now being sold for future events and selling quickly, it will be nice to see a big attendance at courses around the country for the summer. Under the current ‘roadmap’, the racing here will see (limited) numbers of spectators returning to Pontefract for this Wednesday afternoon meeting on 4th August. For as long as social distancing remains in place, however, the ‘normal’ raceday remains some way in the future. With all ‘essential workers’ (BHA and Racecourse officials, stable staff, trainers, jockeys etc) having to undergo health screening before each raceday, and then having to be kept at least 2m away from owners and (when admitted) other racegoers, these restrictions effectively rule out any use of the Main Stand, and parts of the Second Stand, by the general public. Indeed two of the dining rooms in the Main Stand have been transformed into changing areas for jockeys to ensure that they are able to maintain social distance.

The following is a quote from the official Pontefract Racing site 'A limited number of tickets for the following race meetings are now on sale:

* Wednesday 4th August – 3 enclosures (Premier, Grandstand & Paddock and Picnic)

* Sunday 15th August – 3 enclosures (Premier, Grandstand & Paddock and Picnic)

NB: Additional tickets will be released AFTER 19th July if the government easing of restrictions goes ahead as planned. And tickets for September and October will also go on sale after the announcement on the 19th July.

Today's meeting is Pontefract Ladies Day - With an array of hats, fascinators and stilettos, the ladies of Yorkshire truly do ‘dress to impress’ in an effort to win the coveted Best Dressed Lady Competition. And once again in 2021, there will also be a Best Dressed Gents competition too!

BEST DRESSED GENTLEMAN COMPETITION (12.50PM)

The Best Dressed Gent Competition will be judged before racing starts. Watch out for the judging team who will allocate numbers to 25 lucky finalists. They’ll be on the lookout from the minute that the gates open at midday and the 25 finalists will then gather in the Parade Ring at 12.50pm with the top 3 announced shortly after. £300 1st prize

BEST DRESSED LADY COMPETITION (1.15pm)

The Best Dressed Lady Competition will be judged before racing starts. Watch out for the judging team who will allocate numbers to 100 lucky finalists. They’ll be on the lookout from the minute that the gates open at midday and the 100 finalists will then gather in the Parade Ring at 1.00pm with the top 3 announced around 1.15pm.

The 2021 prizes:

In 2021, the Best Dressed Lady will win a holiday for two for 7 nights at the Riu Cancun hotel. This all inclusive week long trip includes flights! The winner will also compete to be the Best Dressed Lady in Yorkshire at the final at Doncaster Racecourse.

ALL results for these fixtures are recorded to a level stake at Starting Price (SP), and will also show any forecast results too in the daily results but these do not count for the profit / loss figures. After a good opening we have seen a few winners but despite this overall after the latest meeting we still have to carry over a deficit of -32.005 points onto this tenth meeting this afternoon.

Going / Weather: The forecast going is now currently reported as 'Good - Good to firm in places' while the weather for Wednesday afternoon is for a generally cloudy day with a high probability of showers but hopefully not too many. We are seeing a forecast maximum temperature around the 21C mark.
Here are our selections for the seven races taking place on Wednesday afternoon, remember it's a very simple selection process using stalls one and two in every race;

14:00  Solutions4Cleaning Handicap (Gentleman Amateur Jockeys)
1m 2f 5y  [Class 6  9 runners]

(1) -- Bonne Vitesse.  2nd @10/1
(2) -- Straight Ash.   Non Runner

14:35  Jayne - On Course Lady Bookmaker EBF Maiden Stakes

6f  [Class 4  14 runners]

(1) -- She's Got Bottle.  6th @16/1

(2) -- Hamaki.  WON @7/2

15:10  tiesplanet.com - Ladies Love Guys In Ties Handicap

2m 1f 27y  [Class 3  4 runners]

(1) -- Solo Saxaphone.  4th @12/1
(2) -- Let Me Be.   Non Runner

15:45  Riu Hotels And Resorts Ladies Day Veterans' Handicap

1m 6y  [Class 4  9 runners]

(1) -- Little Jo.   2nd @4/1

(2) -- Six Strings.   3rd @5/4f

16:20  Bet With Jayne - Your Local Bookmaker Handicap

1m 6y  [Class 5  10 runners]

(1) -- Dreamseller.  Non Runner

(2) -- Power Player.  3rd @12/1

16:55  Chaplins Club Handicap

5f 3y  [Class 5  7 runners]

(1) -- Canford Bay.  3rd @11/4
(2) -- East Street Revue.  WON @13/8f

17:30  Keith Hammill Memorial Handicap

6f  [Class 4  12 runners]

(1) -- Dream Together.   Non Runner

(2) -- Highly Sprung.   Non Runner

Staked -- 14 points.

Returns -- 12.125 points.
Having started the 2021 season afresh, we started reasonably well but sadly begun to fall behind now as we passed half way of this full season on the track. After the opening nine meetings we are sadly -32.005 points behind coming into this tenth fixture, the results for today will be updated during Wednesday afternoon. Many non runners today again and only a couple of winners not quite enough, now fallen behind by -33.88 points to SP.

The eleventh fixture here will be held on Sunday 15th August so we do hope you will follow the action throughout the season.