North Yorkshire runner eyes Tannies Raceday repeat (From York Press)

North Yorkshire runner eyes Tannies Raceday repeat

10:08am Saturday 18th August 2012 in Sport

Petella could go well at a fair price in the Tannies Raceday Handicap at Pontefract tomorrow.

Middleham trainer George Moore, pictured, thinks a lot of this six-year-old mare, who won this race 12 months ago off the same mark of 63.

Despite having shown some promise here on her first run of year, it did not really happen for her in two previous tries at Beverley and Ripon.

As a textbook hold up performer, things invariably need to fall right for Petella, who was perhaps hamstrung by a genuine lack of pace on both of those occasions.

There looks a little more speed running through various formlines of this renewal, though, so it would not be the biggest surprise in the world if she suddenly returned to form – especially if the ground remains on the fast side.

The feature race, the British Stallion Studs EBF Flying Fillies’ Stakes, looks tough to solve, with few of the 14 declared horses ruled out with confidence.

It might, however, pay to side with the likeable Mince, who has won over this course and distance in the past and deserves another shot at Listed level.

Roger Charlton’s filly scampered half a length clear of Galician on Shergar Cup day at Ascot last weekend and has a really encouraging win-to-run ratio.

The Lady Rothschild-owned chestnut is also in receipt of a few pounds from several of the protagonists, which might be enough to sway the balance of power in her direction.

Commanche Raider also has a fine chance of returning to the Pontefract winner’s enclosure in division two of the Nova Display Handicap.

The Michael Dods-trained five-year-old was victorious over five furlongs here in June, and showed the assessor might not yet have his number on his last start. Commanche Raider came from off the pace in a decent Ponte sprint to take fourth spot behind Sunny Side Up, who did his bit for the form with a victory at Newmarket on Thursday.

Dods’ inmate was staying on nicely once the game was up, so it seems to make sense to give him another try over six furlongs.

Polish Crown will be popular, too, in the British Stallion Studs EBF Trevor Woods Memorial Maiden Stakes.

The Mark Johnston-trained youngster was very green on debut here over six furlongs a couple of weeks ago, but hinted she could be relatively useful when second to Kamchatka, who had the benefit of a previous run.

She looked the type who would strip a lot fitter with a blow-out and will be unfazed by the descent to the minimum trip.

With Johnston continuing to bang home the winners, she looks as safe an option as anything on this card.

There is also jumps action at Southwell, where Rajnagan can atone for a costly gaffe at Stratford last time out by winning the Turnbull Home Improvement Novices’ Chase.

Rajnagan threw away victory at the last when he unseated Dominic Elsworth, but he deserves another chance.

Racing selections

Pontefract (tomorrow)
2.15 Polish Crown, 2.45 Muntasir, 3.15 Petella (NAP), 3.45 Mince, 4.45 Asatir, 4.45 Alraased, 5.15 Planetex, 5.45 Commanche Raider.

Southwell (tomorrow)
2.00 Douglas, 2.30 Saves Time, 3.00 Rajnagan, 3.30 Sansili, 4.00 Latest Trend, 4.30 Lion On The Prowl, 5.00 Pickworth, 5.30 Cut The Cards.

Today’s meetings : Chester, Doncaster, Lingfield, Market Rasen, Newbury, Newmarket, Perth and Ripon.