Great View fluffed the start yesterday, but in all honestly he looked totally ill at ease with conditions anyway, and failed to land a blow. Racing at Chepstow and Catterick was then abandoned so that became our only runner of the day. Hopefully we’ll have more luck with today’s meetings and we can finally get August going properly.

Today’s bets:

4.10 - Pontefract - Lord Of The Reins - 2 pts win. Available at 7/1 (Stan James)

With Mr Wolf in the field there is likely to be no hanging about and that will suit Lord Of The Reins who likes to come from off a fast pace. He hasn't been at his best after showing promise on his reappearance this season but there was a bit more encouragement over C/D last time out and he is weighted to get involved if he can build on that effort. He is fourteen pounds lower in the handicap than at the start of this campaign and the booking of an excellent three pound claimer with a 4 from 18 record at this track in recent seasons takes the eye. Lord Of The Reins seems to handle any ground and has performed well on a number of occasions on tracks with stiff finishes.

4.40 - Pontefract:
Paraguay - 2 pts win. Available at 15/2 (Sportingbet)
Betteras Bertie - 1 pts e/w. Available at 10/1 (General)

This looks very competitive and it's not easy to rule many out. Major Magpie returns to his favourite venue for the first time this season and that could spark a form revival. If it does he is the one to beat at these weights. However his form this season is well below that of recent campaigns and his current price makes little appeal. Returning to the turf at the beginning of this season Betteras Bertie looked a consistent, if ordinary, gelding on the A/W over the Winter. That impression has changed having won two of his three races over six furlongs since. The key to him seems to be delivering him as late as possible. As such, a generous gallop would be to his liking and the absence of a natural trailblazer is a concern but, given the size of the field,it is likely the pace will be sound enough. The yard are not in the habit of employing top jockeys on a regular basis so the booking of Robert Winston looks a positive one. Paraguay hasn't run a bad race on turf this season yet still remains on a competitive mark. His performances on stiff tracks suggest he will enjoy his first visit to this course and he acts on any ground. The loss of his regular jockey for a three pound claimer with little experience on this track is a slight concern but he is experienced and Paraguay is straight forward.

4.50 - Newcastle - Darfour - 1 pt e/w. Available at 12/1 (General)

5.10 - Pontefract - Oriental Rose - 1 pt e/w. Available at 14/1 (General)

With the drop in trip not sure to suit, Northern Flyer is readily taken on, and at a much bigger price Oriental Rose is given a chance. She was the shock winner of novice race as a Juvenile last season but disappointed in two subsequent Nurseries. There have been better signs in two of her three races over today's trip this season (probably needed the other and was 15 pounds out of the handicap) and the handicapper has slowly began to relent. She didn't look to enjoy the downhill undulations of Catterick last time out but it was encouraging to see her make up a lot of ground once they levelled out on the run for home. This is a better race but she does give the impression she is capable of improving on what she has so far achieved.