The Citizen (Gauteng)

Mark Johnston set to blow them home at Pontefract

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- Blown By Wind can get back to winning ways today after two solid efforts in a higher grade when he runs in the British Stallion Studs EBF Spindrifte­r Conditions Stakes at Pontefract.

Successful in two of his first three careers starts in the spring, this Mark Johnston-trained youngster has contested the National Stakes at Sandown and the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The latter event is arguably the best two-year-old race of the year so far and Blown By Wind did not shirk the issue when the pace hotted up at the business end of this Group 2.

London

To finish seventh, beaten 6.50 lengths by the impressive winner Calyx, was no disgrace.

That was his first try at 1200m and the way he saw the race out suggests Pontefract should hold no fears.

Penny Pot Lane can give trainer Richard Whitaker backto-back victories in the ebfstallio­ns.com Fillies' Handicap.

Avon Breeze stuck for the West Yorkshire handler in 2017 and Penny Pot Lane already has a win to her credit over this course and distance.

She has yet to hit top form this term but she did run respectabl­y behind Sandra's Secret at Ripon in May and a return to the scene of her last success might bring about a revival.

French Resistance enjoyed the stiff 1800m at Carlisle when getting off the mark at the eighth attempt and an extra 600m in the Wayne Conway Memorial Handicap could eke out further improvemen­t.

Jedd O'Keeffe's gelding was a well-backed favourite last time and it looks like he has not finishing progressin­g just yet.

Ice Age could not quite make an impact in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot but can regain winning ways with his sights lowered in the Windsor Handicap at the Thameside venue.

Eve Johnson Houghton's fiveyear-old had won his previous start at Newbury in good style and can defy top weight in this less-competitiv­e contest.

The Noel-Wilson-trained Pavers Pride can get his head in front in the hamilton-park.co.uk Handicap at the Scottish course after losing out on the nod at Ayr last time.

Comrade In Arms should appreciate the step up to 2400m as he looks to open his account in the Neal Wood 9th Anniversar­y Memorial Handicap at Wolverhamp­ton.

This Sir Michael Stoutetrai­ned gelding has not been beaten far in his last two starts over 2000m when he has been staying on in the closing stages.

Barriston The Bold, trained by Tom Dascombe, shaped well on his debut when third to Semoum at Ripon and can go two places better over an extra 200m in the EBF sportingjo­bs.co.uk Novice Stakes.-

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