Theatro back in the groove

RACING: O’keefe’s inmate can take heart from second at Nottingham

Racing returns to Pontefract for the first time this year and Jedd O’keeffe can be quickly off the mark at the Yorkshire venue with THEATRO.

The four-year-old was last seen chasing home Goshen at Nottingham last October, with the value of that form clear to see given that one’s subsequent exploits over hurdles.

Theatro tried her best but was beaten seven lengths, with deep ground seemingly not really playing to her strengths and she might find her groove again in the VW Van Centre (West Yorkshire) Ltd Handicap.

VASARI makes the trip from Sir Michael Stoute’s yard for the Stay Smart With tiesplanet.com Handicap.

He showed ability in three juvenile starts, placing twice, including when last seen at Wolverhampton back in

September over the same six furlong test.

He did not quite have the pace to go with the winner Brad The Brief, going down by half a length, but he looks capable of winning a race like this.

ASBAAGH can strike gold in the second division of the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Maiden Stakes at Wolverhampton.

She looked to be in need of the experience when finishing third behind another John Gosden inmate on her debut, shaping with plenty of promise as she made up ground at the end to finish a length down.

SELECTIONS: PONTEFRACT: 12.45 Sam Bellamy, 1.15 Listen Again, 1.45 Midnite Bride, 2.20 Sands Of Giza, 2.50 Vasari, 3.20 Oleg, 3.50 Theatro, 4.20 Defence Treaty, 4.50 Turntable. WOLVERHAMPTON: 2.10 Dream Game, 2.40 One One Seven, 3.10 Moonbootz, 3.40 Relaunch, 4.10 Astro King, 4.45 Asbaagh, 5.20 Amir Kabir, 5.50 Final Attack, 6.20 Troop.

DOUBLE: Theatro and Vasari.