MIDDLEHAM trainer Jedd O’Keeffe can kick-off his Flat turf season in style at Pontefract today by completing a first and last race double.

Dark Ocean goes for the Many Thanks To Josie Smith Handicap, a race he won last year, while Where’s Tiger, who went close to scoring at Doncaster’s opening meeting ten days ago, is fancied to lift the Racing On Monday 20th April Handicap.

Dark Ocean likes an uphill track, as he showed in this contest 12 months ago. He is now set to race off only a 4lb higher mark and, with Graham Lee engaged for the ride again, is selected to make a successful reappearance.

Where’s Tiger looked likely to prevail on his Doncaster comeback, only to be denied by Walk Like A Giant. That outing will not have been wasted on the North Yorkshire gelding, who is taken to go one better today.

Ryan Moore journeys north to ride Gothic in the £20,000 Easter Family Funday Handicap.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, the four-year-old, a winner at Leicester last summer, also ran well in several decent handicaps.

It looks significant that he has been retained for another season within the Stoute stable. A bold bid is anticipated.

Fellow Newmarket trainer John Gosden can also figure on the Pontefract scorecard. He saddles Secateur, who promises to be too sharp for his rivals in the Breeders Backing Racing ‘High Rise’ Maiden Stakes.

Robert Havlin’s mount shaped well in three outings last season, including when narrowly beaten at Goodwood on his final start in October. He is fancied to have the edge over Ya Hade Ye Delil, the mount of Frankie Dettori.

The Jamaican Flight Handicap, which is the first round of the Pontefract Stayers’ Championship, could well fall to Madam Lilibet, the mount of accomplished apprentice Joey Haynes.

Trained near Richmond by Sharon Watt, Madam Lilibet has her quirks and often gets well behind in her races before staying on strongly. She was a winner over hurdles at Carlisle in February and has a fitness advantage over some of her rivals, who are making their first appearances of the year.

Twice a winner on this course, she looks short-list material for this two-and-a-quarter mile contest.

Also worth noting are Richard Fahey’s Grandad’s World (3.00), a winner on his debut here last August, and the promising Rock Follies (4.30), trained by Lady Cecil.

At Chelmsford, Emirates Skywards, runner-up in all his three starts as a juvenile, can start his three-year-old campaign with a win.

The Godolphin inmate showed a useful level of ability last season but seemed to lack a little concentration at the end of his races. He has since been gelded and looks the type to thrive this year. He should be hard to beat in the toteswinger Maiden Stakes.

Freddie Tylicki, the former Malton-based champion apprentice, can enjoy a lucrative day by completing a double.

Tylicki teams up with nap selection Oscars Journey in the August Family Days At Chelmsford City Handicap.

Trained by John Jenkins, the five-year-old went down in a photo-finish to the in-form Colourbearer on this course just under three weeks ago. He can step up to the number one slot this time.

In the Book Tickets Online At chelmsfordcityracecourse.com Handicap, Tylicki partners First Dream, whom he steered to a decisive victory at this venue at the end of February.

There is surely more to come from First Dream, trained by Roger Varian, and a follow up looks on the cards.

Pontefract today: 2.00 Dark Ocean, 2.30 Secateur, 3.00 Grandad’s World, 3.30 Madam Lilibet, 4.00 Gothic, 4.30 Rock Follies, 5.00 Where’s Tiger.

Chelmsford City today: 2.20 Thahab, 2.50 Oscars Journey (NAP), 3.20 Emirates Skywards, 3.50 Watersmeet, 4.20 Clumber Street, 4.50 The Happy Hammer, 5.20 First Dream.

Today’s other meeting: Lingfield.