Timeform’s top Pontefract punts for Monday’s 8 races

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Most of the top Northern yards are represented here and the betting will no doubt prove informative, but it is DUCHRAY who is chanced over Jaxta before market clues. He is a half-brother to a useful winner Red Mirage who made a successful debut and his dam also won as a juvenile. Experience counts for plenty in these early-season two-year-old events, though, and Comedian Leader is entitled to build on her Kempton debut, although this looks a deeper contest on paper.

CLAIM THE STARS is bred to be at least useful and his two standout efforts last season when runner-up at Ayr and Kempton make him the one to beat in this contest. He ran no sort of race in a valuable sales race on his final start last season, but has since been purchased by new connections for 35,000 guineas and gelded. He is just the sort Tim Easterby will do well with and this looks a good opening for him. Cotai Class and five-year-old Cape Sunset are a couple of others who should find races near to hand.

WELCOME TO PADDY POWER NEWS!

STUDY THE FORM IN STYLE

CHECK OUT OUR SNAZZY RACECARDS FOR EVERY RACE, EVERY DAY

HUDDLE UP starts out for a fledging training partnership that has made a fantastic start and could pick up where he left off in Ireland in the autumn with a victory. This looks a deep and competitive handicap, but Huddle Up looked a good prospect when winning a useful sprint handicap at Navan when last seen in October and he remains fairly treated from a mark of 83. Rayong and the thriving Fine Wine are a couple of others to consider in a typically open sprint handicap for the track.

AL QAASIM arrives in top form having caught the eye on his last two starts back on turf, making smooth headway halfway up the straight at Redcar last week, and beaten only by an unexposed improver. He remains relatively unexposed on turf and the return to a mile at this stiff track looks a positive move. Provided he can secure a good position he seems sure to go close again from the same mark. Distinction and Le Reveur also arrive on the back of good placed efforts and they have fared well with the draw, so they’re worth considering, too.

LIFFEYDALE DREAMER is on an appealing mark returned to the Flat and she was right on her game when second over hurdles at Musselburgh 17 days ago. She is a thoroughly likeable mare and is confident choice to land this staying event. Beggarman is an obvious danger if he can replicate his all-weather form back on turf, and Niblawi is no forlorn hope having scored over hurdles last time out, either.

Kevin Ryan has made a bright start to the turf season and ESKEN ROSE should be up to conceding weight all round. She showed good speed when making a winning debut over course and distance in September, her early sharpness enabling her to get the pole position on the rail and she quickly put the race to bed when asked. Esken Rose showed signs of greenness in the closing stages and should have plenty more to offer on her return to action. Close Quarters is probably the most interesting of the newcomers, while Hooked On You should find a race.

An ultra-competitive sprint handicap to close the card in which cases can be made for several. It is ALBEGONE who is taken to come out on top. His form took off towards the back end of last season and Tim Easterby’s charge gets the tentative vote to make a winning reappearance. The hat-trick-seeking Morty heads up the dangers on his return.