Pick Poyle to pinch the prize

POYLE VINNIE can win for the first time since his transfer to Ruth Carr’s yard when he takes the plunge in the race of the day at Pontefract, writes The Ferret.

A strong field has been assembled for the Riu Hotels And Resorts Handicap, but many of the big-hitters could well need the run, having been off the track for a long time.

That should not apply to Poyle Vinnie, who has been on the go since January.

The eight-year-old gelding did well for former trainer Mick Appleby but showed at Chelmsford this month that Carr is now getting to grips with him.

Poyle Vinnie was beaten two lengths by Tavener in a hot little sprint at the Essex circuit, and yet he has been relieved 2lb by the assessor for this race.

He also knows the time of day at Pontefract, having won twice at the Yorkshire circuit.

And, though he is not getting any quicker at this stage of his career, a perfectly coherent argument can be made to suggest that he should not be dismissed lightly at the foot of the weights.

Champion jockey Silvestre de Sousa has already cut loose this season and can add another winner to his spring tally by guiding STARBOY to success in the concluding mile handicap. SELECTIONS

HEXHAM: 1.50 Crixus’s Escape, 2.20 Sky Full Of Stars, 2.50 Pineapple Rush, 3.20 Only Orsenfoolsies, 3.50 Orioninverness, 4.20 Melekhov, 4.55 Kings Lodge.

PONTEFRACT: 2.10 Bengali Spirit, 2.40 Dawaaleeb, 3.10 POYLE VINNIE (NAP), 3.40 Indian Red, 4.10 Three Saints Bay, 4.40 Ingenuity, 5.15 Dragstone Rock, 5.45 Starboy.

DOUBLE: Poyle Vinnie and Starboy.