Pontefract afternoon racing tips: Best bets for Thursday, September 21

Let's get the ball rolling with some info on our selected horses, then you can get a full list of all the tips from Pontefract at the bottom of the page.

Don't forget to check out the Pontefract 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)

 

15:45 (Pontefract) Unequal Love

Unequal Love can put a recent defeat behind her as she lines up in the British EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap.

William Haggas’ charge had been on a roll through July and early August, stepping up on a debut fourth in June to win at Leicester, Ripon and Haydock to land on a mark of 90 at York’s Ebor meeting.

Lining up over furlongs, Unequal Love was sent off the 4/1 favourite but failed to fire, coming home a well-beaten 10th behind Nigiri on ground that may have been just a shade too fast for her liking.

The winner has since gone on to place at Group Three level while a handful of those who also finished in front of Unequal Love have also subsequently gone on to win or place, so the form looks pretty strong.

Unequal Love’s unchanged perch of 90 does not look beyond her and the expected easier conditions in West Yorkshire could play to her strengths.

 

16:20 (Pontefract) Dereham

Dereham can make his second visit of the year to Pontefract pay dividends with victory in the Search For The Yorkshire Wonder Horse Handicap.

Well out of the frame on his initial spin in April, Dereham subsequently recorded one win and two placed efforts, with the move back up in distance here a definite plus.

 

16:55 (Pontefract) Marching Band

Marching Band makes his first turf start in the Nadeen Dawson Memorial Maiden Stakes as one of two contenders for Sir Michael Stoute.

Owned by the King and Queen, Marching Band has had two spins on the all-weather so far, most recently being beaten half a length at Chelmsford at the end of last month and might not need to improve too much to win this.

Paternoster Square and Talis Evolvere are in the mix for the places.

 

17:30 (Pontefract) Mother Mary

Mother Mary makes for plenty of appeal after three career starts.

Broke through for a success at Salisbury attempting seven furlongs in latest and could be of interest stepping up in journey.

Dubawi Warrior broke through for a five length success over course and distance. Disappointed when beaten by 20 lengtha subsequently but is still a contender.

Mexicali Rose resumed from a three month spell delivering an impressive win at Chepstow. Has shown form tackling further in the past.

Mount King holds each-way claims on the back of a Thirsk win.

 

Pontefract selections in full:

PONTEFRACT: 2.00 Derwent Boy, 2.35 Bondy, 3.10 Damascus Steel, 3.45 Unequal Love, 4.20 Dereham, 4.55 Marching Band, 5.30 Mother Mary.