14:02 Pontefract

There is jumps racing at Carlisle on Tuesday 8th April while Pontefract and Navan stage flat turf meetings and Southwell stages an all-weather meeting this evening. 

Today’s Best Bets from Steve Ryder

2:02 Pontefract - U Sure Do 9/4 (1pt)

The market is headed by Strong Warrior who was an impressive winner of his only start as a juvenile but I feel he may struggle to concede 7lbs to U SURE DO (best priced at 9/4). 

The Tim Easterby trained three-year-old outran odds of 125/1 to finish a nose 2nd on his debut at Haydock behind the now 90 rated Dubai Bling. He was then sent off 9/4 to go one better at York on his next start but could only finish 3rd. 

In hindsight that was a fantastic run as the winner The Striking Viking finished a close 2nd in two Group 2 contests later that season and is now rated 106 and the second Tiger Mask won on his next start and is now rated 100. 

The favourite Strong Warrior won comfortably on his debut but that was from rivals rated 82, 79 and 88 so on figures he is up against it trying to concede 7lbs U Sure Do. Neither have been seen for over 260 days but at the prices I am willing to take a chance on the latter at a bigger price. 

15:32 Pontefract

3:32 Pontefract - Ventura Express 9/2 (0.5pt ew)

The Paul Midgeley trained VENTURA EXPRESS (best priced at 9/2) won on his reappearance last season over this course and distance so it was no surprise to see him finish a close 2nd on his reappearance this year when 2nd at Newcastle. With a race record of 0-6 on the AW, better is expected from him on his return to turf and he is only 1lb higher than his victory at Beverley in July. 

Jason Hart takes over on board for the first time which is no negative and he is well drawn to get a good position from Stall 1. With up to four places available, it would be disappointing if he wasn’t involved in the finish. 

16:42 Pontefract

4:42 Pontefract - South Shore 15/2 (1pt) 

SOUTH SHORE (best priced at 15/2) was once a highly touted youngster for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum who won a Windsor handicap off a mark of 75 in April last year. 

He has since joined the Ruth Carr stable and has been sent off at prices ranging between 50/1 and 80/1 on his five starts for new connections.

In that time, he has dropped from a mark of 79 down to 65 but showed a lot more promise when only beaten 2 ¾ lengths last time at Newcastle when dropped to this trip of 5f for the first time. 

That race was a Class 5 0-75 handicap but South Shore now drops into a Class 6 0-65 handicap for the first time off top weight. He is clearly well handicapped on old form and can get back to winning ways in this race.