Pontefract afternoon racing tips: Best bets for Sunday, June 23

Let's find out more about our four selected horses at Pontefract, as there is a full set of tips from the seven-race card at the bottom of the page.

Don't forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport's racing live centre.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's first publication)

1500 (Pontefract) River Of Stars

River Of Stars is difficult to oppose in the Pontefract Castle Fillies’ Stakes.

A Group Three winner in last season’s Bronte Cup at York, Ralph Beckett’s charge went on to fill the runner-up spot in successive Group Twos at ParisLongchamp and Goodwood before finishing a creditable fourth on her return to the Knavesmire for the Lonsdale Cup.

She again had to make do with minor honours in third when defending her Bronte Cup crown last month, but given that was her first competitive outing since August, significant improvement can be expected in the fitness department.

Dropping back to Listed class, River Of Stars is comfortably the highest-rated runner in this field and she sets a standard that will be difficult for her rivals to match.

1530 (Pontefract) Trooper Bisdee

Trooper Bisdee can give weight and a beating to his rivals in the Moor Top Farm Shop Hemsworth Pontefract Cup Handicap.

The four-year-old is a typical improving stayer for Sir Mark Prescott, with each rise in distance enabling him to take his game to another level.

He heads to West Yorkshire having won five of his eight starts in handicap company and he is three from four since being stepped up to two miles.

A 5lb hike for his most recent triumph at Nottingham does not look insurmountable as he tackles two and a quarter miles for the first time.

1600 (Pontefract) Al Anoud

Al Anoud looks like another likely winner for the Beckett stable in the Tribute Bands Family Day Sunday 23rd June Handicap.

The Kingman filly looked an exciting prospect after winning her first two starts at Chelmsford and Salisbury last season and she did not do much wrong when finishing second in her bid to complete the hat-trick on her handicap and seasonal debut at Windsor last month.

Al Anoud remains very much unexposed and there should be more to come.

1700 (Pontefract) Darkness

Darkness is 8lb lower than he was when the six-year-old won at Newmarket last July. 

He confirmed that he is on his way back to form with a recent Goodwood third-place finish.

Jockey Daniel Tudhope will ride Darkness as they aim for glory in the Sunpak Potatoes Handicap race.

Pontefract tips in full:

Pontefract:14.00 Selection, 14.30 Ballsbridge, 15.00 River Of Stars, 15.30 Trooper Bisdee, 16.00 Al Anoud, 17.00 Darkness.