THERE could be some sense in lending one's support to Northgate Lad at Pontefract today.

A tight-looking field has been assembled for the five-furlong Riu Hotels And Resorts Handicap, but Brian Ellison's inmate is taken to come out on top.

His claims are, at first glance, hardly obvious as he has not hit the back of the net since June 2015.

Dig a little deeper, though, and quite a reasonable case can be made for Northgate Lad.

The five-year-old grey has flickered, without really ever igniting, since he won so well at Newcastle over two years ago.

And despite having disappointed on two starts last September, Norton handler Ellison, pictured, must have been heartened by his return to the track at Doncaster on April 2.

Sent off at princely odds of 50-1 in a hot six-furlong handicap, Northgate Lad showed up really well for a long way and eventually came home sixth.

He was only beaten a length and a quarter by the winner, Wentworth Falls, so that was a good effort, all things considered.

Northgate Lad races at Pontefract on the same mark of 89 which, while not necessarily generous, is still a bit more lenient than when he was pushing a three-figure rating two summers ago.

His two victories to date have also been achieved over five furlongs, so the step back in trip is possibly a good thing.

A shower or two would be handy, but Northgate Lad should still go well at what might be generous odds.

Tuscan Gold is unquestionably due a change of fortune when he contests the Pontefract Marathon Handicap.

Micky Hammond's stayer once again finished second at this track a fortnight ago and knows the West Yorkshire terrain probably better than any horse in training.

Tuscan Gold was fifth in this race last year, when sent off the 9-2 joint-favourite, yet returns for another go off a 13lb lower mark.

It will be interesting to see how Stepper Point gets on at Windsor.

A lot of water has passed beneath the bridge since the days he was rated as highly as 114 two years ago, but he is now handicapped accordingly ahead of the Sky Bet-sponsored five-furlong handicap.

The William Muir-trained 10-year-old showed a little bit of his old vim at Chelmsford in March, but it all went wrong again at Lingfield 15 days later.

That might have been too much, too soon for him, however, while his cause was not helped by having to use up a lot of gas from a very wide pitch.

If one is prepared to forgive him that last performance, he should surely have enough about him to win a race like this.

Lime And Lemon has done quite well since his transfer to Clive Cox's yard but his trainer will be hoping to step things up a notch in the extended mile-and-three-furlong handicap.

The four-year-old filly finished nicely at Doncaster on his seasonal debut, in which she was fifth, and should be even happier over this slightly longer trip.

TODAY'S SELECTIONS

KEMPTON: 2.10 Autumn Lodge, 2.40 Coverham, 3.15 Masquerade Bling, 3.45 Luduamf, 4.20 Angel Of Rome, 4.50 Captain Peacock, 5.20 Sgt Reckless, 5.50 Halling's Wish.

LINGFIELD: 5.05 Rattle On, 5.35 Frank Cool, 6.05 Dusty Blue, 6.35 Shargiah, 7.05 La Vie En Rose, 7.35 Star Of Lombardy.

NAVAN: 4.25 Medal Of Honour, 4.55 Captain Power, 5.25 Primo Uomo, 5.55 Pillar, 6.25 Homesman, 6.55 Cloistered, 7.25 Escape Clause, 7.55 Jackie Ellis.

PONTEFRACT: 2.00 Ventura Knight, 2.30 Rockwood, 3.05 NORTHGATE LAD (NAP), 3.35 Tuscan Gold, 4.10 Star Catch, 4.40 El Principe, 5.10 Sakurajima, 5.40 Reinstorm.

WARWICK: 1.50 Abbotswood, 2.20 Earls Fort, 2.50 Robin Of Locksley, 3.25 Contre Tous, 3.55 Big Casino, 4.30 Ballintara, 5.00 Saturdaynightfever, 5.30 Bound For Glory.

WINDSOR: 4.45 Daddies Girl, 5.15 Stepper Point, 5.45 Ulysses, 6.15 Cold Snap, 6.45 Lime And Lemon, 7.15 Desert Cross, 7.45 Jack The Laird.

DOUBLE: Northgate Lad and Tuscan Gold