Pontefract compensation in the offing for O’Meara’s runner Edmaaj (From York Press)

Pontefract compensation in the offing for O’Meara’s runner Edmaaj

10:50am Tuesday 1st May 2012 in Horse racing By Tom O'Ryan, Racing journalist

Edmaaj, narrowly beaten at Pontefract last week, can gain quick compensation on the same course tomorrow.

Trained at Nawton, near Helmsley, by David O’Meara, the four-year-old former inmate of Barry Hills’ Lambourn yard, failed by only a neck to get the better of Flying Applause on his latest outing but looked a most unlucky loser.

Trapped behind horses at the rear of the field on the home turn, Edmaaj burst through entering the final furlong and only just failed to take the honours.

That was a creditable performance considering he did not see a racecourse last year before changing hands fairly cheaply and joining the O’Meara yard.

Edmaaj should turn the tables on Flying Applause, who carries a 6lb penalty, in tomorrow’s Betfred Supports The NRC Handicap and is taken to come out on top under Danny Tudhope.

O’Meara and Tudhope, who last week won a Grade 2 prize at Sandown with Penitent, also have good prospects with El Torbellino in the ladbrokes.com Fillies’ Handicap.

Tough and consistent last season, El Torbellino is a winner on soft ground and so should have nothing to fear from the expected underfoot conditions.

Luca Cumani and Kieren Fallon are worth watching in the totepool Maiden Stakes.

The Newmarket duo are represented by Commitment, who shaped well in his two outings last season, finishing fourth at Yarmouth and fourth at Newmarket. He always looked more of a three-year-old prospect and should be firmly in the mix in this ten furlong event.

Mick Easterby, who had three winners last week, including one on this course, can continue his good run with On The Hoof in the coral.co.uk Handicap.

The three-year-old ran a sound first race of the season when third at Thirsk recently. He looked as though that race might bring him on. It would be no surprise to see him clinch this.

Mark Johnston is going great guns and the Middleham handler has every chance of a double.

Steer By The Stars (2.20) makes her debut in the opener, but Johnston’s juveniles have made an excellent start and this filly is nicely bred.

Danube River (4.40), a four-length winner of a maiden at Lingfield, looks the type to progress further in handicaps.

At Sedgefield tonight, Henry Brooke, who on Saturday was crowned the season’s champion conditional jockey, can continue in a winning vein.

Riding for his boss, Donald McCain, Brooke looks set to land the opening Daisy Chain Conditional Jockeys’ Maiden Hurdle on Grouse Lodge. The six-year-old ran out a decisive winner here last month and looks sure to progress over hurdles.

Tekthelot is overdue a win, having finished second on his last three starts in handicap company.

The Santander Handicap Chase over a gruelling three miles and three furlongs could fall to Esme Rides A Gaine.

Racing selections

Sedgefield (today)

5.15 Grouse Lodge, 5.45 Tekthelot, 6.15 Esme Rides A Gaine, 6.45 Kent Street, 7.15 The Thirsty Bricky, 7.45 Short Supply, 8.15 Supreme Asset.

Today’s meetings

Exeter, Kempton, Lingfield, Sedgefield and Yarmouth.

Pontefract (tomorrow)

2.20 Steer By The Stars, 2.55 Commitment, 3.30 Edmaaj (NAP), 4.05 El Torbellino, 4.40 Danube River, 5.15 On The Hoof.

Tomorrow’s other meetings

Cheltenham, Kelso and Southwell (inspection 7am today). The meeting at Ascot was abandoned.