UPCOMING apprentice Rachel Richardson, who has won two valuable handicaps this month on Fast Shot, heads to Pontefract today in a bid to add to her growing tally aboard stablemate Maven, likewise trained by her boss, Tim Easterby.

Richardson, 23, who comes from Filey, started out as an amateur, but switched to the professional ranks last year and rode three winners. This season, from only eight rides, she has won here at Pontefract and also at Ripon on Fast Shot, showing herself in a good light in the process.

Maven runs in the £15,000 Ladbrokes Mobile Fillies' Handicap and, following a fine second-placed effort at Ripon recently, is entitled to go well especially with Richardson reducing her weight by 7lb.

Godolphin's Newmarket raider Tender Emotion threatens to be the main danger under Silvestre de Sousa.

De Sousa, pictured, pulls on the Godolphin colours aboard Dullingham in the Northern Racing College Handicap and the Charlie Appleby-trained three-year-old should go well.

Dullingham broke his maiden on this course last autumn and looks the type to progress further this season.

Richard Fahey, whose Latenightrequest represents a live danger to Dullingham, saddles newcomer Montefalcon in the opening William Hill/British Stallion Studs Maiden Stakes.

Fahey won this race 12 months with Peniaphobia, another debutante, who went on to win the Newbury Super Sprint and who is now racing successfully in Hong Kong.

Many trainers tend to target the same races each year and it is interesting that Fahey has chosen this event for Montefalcon's first outing. Although he is not well drawn, he is not to be underestimated.

Jedd O'Keeffe produced Dark Ocean to win on this course three weeks ago and the Middleham trainer returns to bid for an encore in the Betfred Supports The NRC Handicap.

The handicapper has raised Dark Ocean 6lb for his latest success, which looks fair as he won a shade cosily. Graham Lee, seen to good advantage on him that day, again takes the mount on the nap selection.

At Ascot's classy meeting, Paul Hanagan has decent prospects of riding a couple of winners.

The former Malton-based jockey teams-up with Adhwaa in the Spinal Injuries Association Conditions Stakes and the John Hills-trained three-year-old should make a bold bid.

A Doncaster winner last season, Adhwaa performed well subsequently and finished in the frame in Group 3 and Listed races.

Hanagan also teams-up with William Haggas when partnering Danehill Revival in the Racing Post Mobile App Pavilion Stakes.

Danehill Revival did not see a racecourse last year, but she made a winning debut in maiden company at Pontefract three weeks ago. That was a fairly soft race, but she won in the style of a potentially useful sprinter and she is selected to cope with this sharp step up in class.

The £60,000 Longines Sagaro Stakes is the feature race on the Sandown card and Tac de Boiston gets the vote to oblige for Newmarket trainer Marco Botti.

The seven-year-old enjoyed an excellent end to last season, winning the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp. He acts well on soft ground and is a thorough stayer and although he is closely matched with Haris Tweed on form on this course last year, Tac de Boiston should give Frankie Dettori a good ride.

The progressive Graphic (4.15), winner of the Doncaster Mile, and Russian Realm (4.45), who promises to enjoy a good campaign for Sir Michael Stoute, are also worth noting.


Selections

Pontefract today

2.10 Montefalcon, 2.45 Roseburg, 3.20 Dark Ocean (NAP), 3.55 Maven, 4.25 Dullingham, 5.00 Elusive George, 5.35 Fisher.

Ascot today

2.00 Magical Roundabout, 2.35 Danehill Revival, 3.10 Adhwaa, 3.45 Tac de Boistron, 4.15 Graphic, 4.45 Russian Realm.

Today's other meetings

Brighton, Cheltenham and Southwell.

Tomorrow's meetrings

Ffos Las, Lingfield, Redcar, Sedgefield and Towcester.