David Massey has the Punting Pointers for Tuesday and he has two selections running at Pontefract.
Racing betting tips: Tuesday April 8
1pt win Ventura Express in the 3.32 Pontefract at 9/2 (General, min 4/1)
1pt win Herakles in the 4.42 Pontefract at 6/1 (Hills, min 5/1)
3:32 Pontefract
A race where, on an initial look yesterday, we both liked a different horse but this morning, after a second look and a proper crunch of the numbers, it turns out we're both wrong. These things happen....
It's VENTURA EXPRESS that's the one that comes out very well here. If we take form figures in handicaps through the first half of the season on stiff sprint tracks then Ventura Express comes out with form figures of 121211, and that form is all at Pontefract, which only enhances the case for him today.
Three of those wins have come from stall 1 and the other from stall 2, so from the inside draw again today, his case couldn't be more obvious if it had flashing lights and ringing bells on.
4:42 Pontefract
He wouldn’t be the most consistent around but in truth that’s an accusation you could level at a fair few of these, so maybe this is the time to give HERAKLES a try after his eyecatching run at Newcastle four weeks ago.
On his first start since November, he shaped a lot better than finishing sixth of eight would suggest, getting no room at all in the latter stages of the contest but running on in taking fashion once out in the clear, suggesting he had a bit left in the tank.
Placed here last year, he should find conditions to his liking and if he takes a step forward from that, has his chance in an open contest.
5:12 Pontefract - 1m 6y
Harriet Bethell has an excellent record when horses have their first run for her after coming from another yard, with winners at 11/1, 14/1 and 18/1 from just a dozen such runners in the last two years. One of those winners came after an absence at this track in April 2023 and was ridden by Cam Hardie, so the signs are positive for the potentially well handicapped Milteye, who has joined Bethell from Edward O’Grady having had an unsuccessful spell over hurdles.
Having shown his best Flat form at a mile, it’s not a huge surprise that Milteye has made limited impact as a hurdler, and he returns to the level off a mark of 65, having been initially given a mark of 79 by the BHA handicapper on the back of a maiden win at Redcar for Jack Channon. Good ground seems to suit him, and while his initial mark was a little high, he appeals as being capable of winning from his revised mark if Bethell can rekindle his spark. Given her record of getting the best out of those she picks up from other yards, he may be worth chancing at a decent price.
Published at 0935 BST on 08/04/25
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