Pontefract, Tuesday 22 April 2026 — Good Ground Tips
A seven-race card at Pontefract on good ground, and there are some genuinely interesting angles to work through. The track rewards horses with a turn of foot up the straight, and good ground here tends to produce fair, honest form. Three races stand out for punters looking for value, so let's get into them.
2:17 — Constant Security Services Fillies' Novice Stakes (6f)
Five runners, small field, so each-way is off the table here. This race is a straightforward matter on paper, but there is still a decent selection to be made.
Lady Youmzain goes off as the clear favourite at 4/5 William Hill, and the price is short for a reason. The Hello Youmzain filly made an absolutely stunning debut at Beverley in September, drawing clear in the final furlong with something in hand. Kevin Ryan has come into this meeting with three winners from 31 runners over the last 14 days, which is a solid enough strike rate to suggest the yard is ticking over. Kevin Stott takes the ride.
The danger is Town Queen at 10/3 William Hill, a 160,000 euro yearling from the K R Burke yard who is firing at a 8/38 clip over the past two weeks. Burke is a trainer you want on your side when a yard is in this kind of form, and a daughter of Blue Point on good ground at six furlongs is not to be dismissed. She gets the vote as the one to complicate matters for the favourite.
Selection: Lady Youmzain to win, with Town Queen as the value alternative if you want to swerve the odds-on price.
2:52 — Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap (6f, 3yo)
Seven runners, all three-year-olds, and a competitive enough little race to warrant careful thought. The market has drifted around a bit, but the angle that appeals is the lightly raced types coming into their own at the start of a new campaign.
Alaminos at 4/1 Bet365 is the selection. Kevin Ryan's colt won a big-field maiden at Thirsk on debut last August over this exact trip on good to firm ground, showing he handles decent conditions well. He was disappointing at Haydock next time but the Spotlight note flags that he pulled hard that day, which is a classic one-run wonder excuse that holds water when a horse has shown genuine ability first time out. Now gelded over the winter, three-year-old colts who have had that procedure often settle better as a result, which directly addresses the key concern from his last run. Ryan's yard is active and Ryan and Stott are working well together right now.
The threat in the market is Reciprocated from K R Burke at 9/2 William Hill, and the Burke yard form mentioned above makes him competitive. But Alaminos represents the better price with upside.
Selection: Alaminos, 4/1 Bet365.
3:27 — RIU Hotels And Resorts Handicap (1m2f, 11 runners)
Eleven runners, a proper handicap, and the race of the day in terms of betting interest. This is where you can find genuine value.
Savvy Victory Each-Way at 7/1 Bet365 is the pick, and the angle is compelling. He is a confirmed course and distance winner at Pontefract, which on its own makes him interesting in any renewal here. Yes, he went 0-9 last season and his form deteriorated sharply, but he has since dropped down the weights to a mark that looks exploitable. His comeback run came in a Listed race at Kempton where he finished fourth, which is a solid reappearance effort considering the level of company. The trainer S Woods has hit a 2/8 strike rate over the past 14 days, suggesting the yard is in decent nick. Oisin Orr takes the ride and has the experience to get the best out of a horse who knows this track.
Good ground suits him based on his best form, and at 7/1 in an 11-runner handicap with three places on offer at 1/5 odds, the each-way case is strong. He is the kind of horse who could be ahead of the handicapper now that connections have nursed him back to a competitive mark.
Keep a close eye on Have Secret at 11/2 Bet365 from the Fahey yard, who are running at a 4/35 clip. The RPR of 112 suggests he has the ability to win off this kind of mark, and the form string shows he has been competitive throughout. He makes the place at minimum.
Selection: Savvy Victory each-way, 7/1 Bet365 (3 places, 1/5 odds).
Today's NAP
Odds: 7/1 — Bet365 (others: 6/1 William Hill, 8.2 Betfair Exchange)
A confirmed course and distance winner at Pontefract who has been dropped to a mark that looks fair after a difficult 2025 campaign. The Kempton comeback run in Listed company was a positive sign, good ground suits, and trainer S Woods has been active in the winners enclosure recently. At 7/1 in an 11-runner handicap with three placed positions on offer, the value is obvious for a horse who already knows how to win at this venue.
Each-Way Recommended — 3 places at 1/5 odds