Golden Pass just the ticket for Pontefract glory
GOLDEN Pass can claim an all-important black-type success in the Sky Bet Pontefract Castle Fillies’ Stakes at the Yorkshire track.
Hugo Palmer’s filly has been only lightly raced to date, with connections seemingly taking a patient approach – which can pay dividends in her four-year-old campaign.
Golden Pass was a promising third on her only juvenile outing in 2019 and she was quickly off the mark last term, triumphing in a Beverley maiden – with the two fillies directly behind also subsequent winners to give the form a weighty feel.
She followed up with an all-theway victory in a Windsor novice last September and was not disgraced when fourth in a Newmarket Listed heat, racing from an unfavourable position and beaten a fair way over 12 furlongs.
The daughter of Golden Horn certainly made amends on her 2021 return, though, recording a neat success in a Thirsk handicap despite having to be switched to make her challenge before eventually prevailing by three-quarters of a length over a similarly promising rival.
The time of that race was decent – and while Golden Pass has a bit to find on the official ratings, she appeals as a filly on the upgrade.
Yesyes impressed when beating Eileendover on her racecourse bow, and she can make it two from two in the David Wildon Marching On Together Memorial Novice Stakes.
Despite being slow to break, she did not lose too much ground and clearly knew her job as she picked up the lead with a couple of furlongs to run before staying on really nicely to triumph by two and a quarter lengths.
That was over just short of 12 furlongs, and this trip looks to suit perfectly.
Almohandesah can kick on from her debut second, in the Northern Commercials Iveco ‘X’ Way Tipper EBF Fillies’ Restricted Novice Stakes. Beaten nearly four lengths at Redcar, it took a while for the penny to drop for this daughter of Postponed. But when it did she finished with purpose, and the experience will stand her in good stead.
Turandot can return to form as she switches back up to a mile in the Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire) Ltd Fillies’ Handicap.
A steady gallop did not play to her strengths over seven furlongs at Haydock last time – and while she won over that distance on her seasonal return, she basically outstayed her rival that day.
The form of that Haydock run got a significant boost on Thursday when winner Highfield Princess powered home at Royal Ascot, so Turandot is certainly not one to discount yet.
Fix Sun is the pick in Worcester’s Free Tips Daily On attheraces.com Handicap Hurdle.
He looked a classy individual as a novice hurdler, but did not fire at all last winter – after having wind surgery over the summer months.
Given a bit of time off following an unsuccessful November spin, he reaped the benefits of that decision as he returned with an impressive Warwick success last month.
Hiked 7lb for that comfortable seven-and-a-half-length verdict, Fix Sun should be able to meet the challenge now that he is back on track.
Man Of Light made it third time lucky for Philip Hobbs at Bangor recently, and can follow up in the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap Hurdle. The four-year-old had shown promise in two previous outings, but came good in style as he made all for an 11-length verdict. He now qualifies for a handicap mark, and 112 leaves his handler a bit to work with.
Largy Trix should thrive for an extra half-mile in the Iveson Sisters Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Hexham. The Irish raider finally get his head in front at Perth in May after a couple of heavy defeats at Ayr, handling soft ground better than his rivals on that occasion. He does not appear to need the mud to be flying, though, and a move up in distance will play to his staying strengths!
SELECTIONS
HEXHAM: 2.10 Sweet Flora, 2.45 Recent Revelations, 3.15 Largy Trix, 3.45 Path To Freedom, 4.15 Grozni, 4.45 Voix D’Eau, 5.15 Voice Note. PONTEFRACT: 1.45 Almohandesah, 2.20 Vieux Carre, 2.55 Turandot, 3.25 GOLDEN PASS (NAP), 3.55 Selsey Sizzler, 4.25 Furzig, 4.55 Yesyes, 5.25 Adaay Dream. WORCESTER: 1.30 Master Sunrise, 2.00 Danse Idol, 2.35 Veiled Secret, 3.05 Silver Quay, 3.35 Man Of Light, 4.05 Fix Sun, 4.35 Natural Look, 5.05 White Turf. DOUBLE: Golden Pass and Yesyes