York-based jockey Robert Winston, who is on the shortlist to ride for Sir Michael Stoute in the Vodafone Derby at Epsom on Saturday week, can underline his talents by completing a double at Pontefract tonight.

Winston teams-up with North Yorkshire trainer Alan Swinbank, from Melsonby near Richmond on a pair of fancied runners in Confide and Formal Decree, both of whom have winning chances.

Nap selection Confide goes for the opening race, the Constant Security Services Handicap, and would hardly need to improve much on his recent comeback outing at Thirsk, where he finished third to Bollin Edward, to take this one-mile event.

Formal Decree lines-up for the Pontefract Irish Night Monday 12th June Handicap and boasts a solid chance, following an encouraging seasonal reappearance at Ripon, where he failed by only a neck to catch Flying Clarets after meeting trouble in running.

Sure to be all the better for that outing, Formal Decree is selected to go one better here, at the main expense of Midnight Traveller, who ran a race full of promise at Lingfield last time, and who represents Luca Cumani's Newmarket stable.

Winston was in Newmarket on Wednesday, riding Papal Bull in some work for Sir Michael. The recent Chester Vase winner is a possible Derby runner, provided connections stump-up a £75,000 supplementary entry fee on Monday.

"If Papal Bull runs in the Derby, I would hope Robert will be in with a chance of getting the ride," said Richard Hale, Winston's agent.

"He's a lazy type of horse at home and he doesn't really show you much, that's his character," said Winston. "He's a different horse on a racetrack, though."

The feature event at Pontefract this evening, the £15,000 Youngsters Condition Stakes, has attracted only four runners. But they include Always Fruitful, trained by Mark Johnston, who made a winning debut at Ripon, and Hellvelyn, a winner on his first outing at Leicester for Bryan Smart, who won this race 12 months ago with Sir Xaar.

It promises to be an intriguing battle and my slight preference is for Hellvelyn.

Jason Maguire was banned for four days (June 6-8 and June 11) after being found gulity to have failed to ride out for fourth place aboard Secret Ruby in the Baker Tilly Novices' Hurdle at Wetherby yesterday.

Padge Whelan finished runner-up in the same race on Hold The Bid but was handed a two-day ban (June 6-7) after using his whip to often.

York hero can do the trick

Peppertree Lane, who looked a horse on the upgrade when following-up a recent Ripon win at York last week, can complete a hat-trick, and hit the jackpot at Haydock tomorrow.

The £100,000 Totepool Silver Bowl is the target for the colt, who is trained by Mark Johnston and carries the colours of former BHB chairman Peter Savill.

Having shown promise in his two outings last season, Peppertree Lane is making rapid strides up the ladder. Although he is not guaranteed to confirm his York superiority over Richard Fahey's runner-up Anna Pavlova, after being raised 9lb by the handicapper, the chances are that the progressive Pepertree Lad can rise to the challenge. Kevin Darley again takes the mount.

The Totesport Victoria Cup has pride of place at Ascot's re-opening meeting and a note should be made of two Ryedale-trained horses in this seven-furlong event.

Tim Easterby's Game Lad is returning to his best trip after finishing a creditable fourth in the Thirsk Hunt Cup over a mile, and Fahey's Mutawaffer finished a good fourth over six furlongs at York last week.

My preference is for Game Lad, who has the strongest winning profile of the Ryedale pair.

At Catterick tomorrow, the £20,000 totequadpot Handicap over seven furlongs looks a good opportunity for Hartshead, a prolific scorer last season, to open his account for the year.

Racing selections

TONIGHT

Pontefract: 6.35 Confide (Nap), 7.05 Wolds Dancer, 7.35 Hellvelyn, 8.05 Formal Decree, 8.35 Resonate, 9.05 Penzo.

Stratford: 6.15 Kercabellec, 6.45 Coole Glen, 7.15 Sou'Wester, 7.45 Gumley Gale, 8.15 Cannon Bridge, 8.45 Amicelli.

Today's other meetings: Goodwood (afternoon, Flat), Haydock (afternoon, Flat), Newmarket (afternoon, Flat).

TOMORROW

Haydock (selected race): 3.45 Peppertree Lane.

Ascot (selected race): 2.20 Game Lad.

Catterick (selected race): 3.15 Hartshead.

Tomorrow's other meetings: Cartmel (evening, National Hunt), Newmarket (afternoon, Flat), Stratford (evening, National Hunt).

Updated: 09:01 Friday, May 26, 2006